Brad Franke will join Illinois State University August 1, as the director of public affairs and policy.
Appears InFranke comes to Illinois State from the Illinois Department of Transportation where he serves as the bureau chief of state legislative affairs. His job duties include overseeing all state legislative initiatives for the agency, transportation-related initiatives in coordination with the Governor’s Office and serving as the agency’s point-of-contact at a statewide level for public officials and constituents.
Previously, he served as a senior advisor to State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, where he conducted similar work in state and federal legislative policy as well as staffing and representing the treasurer at legislative and business meetings and events throughout the state.
Franke has spent significant time working on legislative initiatives, traveling statewide, and communicating with public officials at the local, state, and federal levels combined with a high level of participation in political campaigns as well as statewide referendums. He served a four-year term on the City of Springfield Community Relations Board of Directors, is a graduate of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program, and a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Citizens Academy.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in communication and rhetorical studies from Illinois College and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Illinois Springfield.
Franke brings with him years of familiarity working successfully with legislators and policy stakeholders in the Capitol as well as a broad bipartisan network of elected officials and executive staff members.
“I am truly honored and grateful for the opportunity to utilize my education and experience to contribute to the ongoing success of Illinois State University,” said Franke.”
