Chicago Regional Digital Government Summit 2025 Banner

Overview

The Digital Government Summit is an event that brings together public sector leaders and technology professionals to explore innovative solutions to solve government problems. Key themes include cybersecurity, digital transformation, AI implementation, data governance, and fostering collaboration across multiple stakeholders. Attendees will benefit from expert discussions, peer networking, and insights into the future of government technology. Join us and let’s improve the future of government together!

A message from our Keynote Speaker

I am delighted to welcome you to the 8th Annual Chicago Regional Digital Government Summit! As we navigate the increasingly complex digital landscape of 2025, this summit offers an invaluable opportunity for regional IT leaders to collaborate on our shared challenges. This year, we'll explore how to strengthen our cybersecurity posture, advance our data governance frameworks and responsibly implement AI solutions that enhance resident services. The partnerships and knowledge exchange that happen at this summit continue to be vital as we work to create more resilient, efficient and inclusive digital government services. I encourage all regional technology leaders to take full advantage of this opportunity to connect with peers and industry experts. I look forward to seeing you there and learning together!

– Tom Lynch, Chief Information Officer, Cook County Government

Speakers

Nikolas Badminton

Nikolas Badminton

Chief Futurist at futurist.com

Nikolas Badminton is a world-renowned global futurist speaker and Chief Futurist. He mentors top executives and the highest levels of government to create bold visions by exploring desirable futures, anticipating opportunities and risks, and strengthening strategic planning. 
He has spent 30+ years working with leadership at over 400 leading organizations at the frontline of futures, strategy and disruption - including The White House, NASA, Disney, Google, Microsoft, Intel, IBM, WM, JP Morgan, Verizon, VISA, TD Bank, American Express, Dyson, BISCI, ISACA, Rolls Royce, Procter & Gamble, US Department of State, UK Home Office, United Nations, and many more. 
Facing Our Futures: How Foresight, Futures Design and Strategy Creates Prosperity and Growth - is Nikolas’ number one best selling book. It has been named Top-50 Business Books of 2023 by The Next Big Idea Club, and JP Morgan Private bank’s “Next Gen Pick” for their 2023 Summer Reading List to guide new leaders to embrace futures thinking.
Nikolas’ essential research has been featured by the BBC, VICE, The Atlantic, Fast Company, Business Insider, Forbes, Sunday Telegraph and many others.  He appears on SIRIUSXM and CTV regularly, was a key advisor to the ‘Age of AI’ series with Robert Downey Jr, and appears in the Franklin Institute's series ‘2050’.

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Nick Lucius

Nick Lucius

Commissioner and Chief Information Officer, City of Chicago

Tom Lynch

Tom Lynch

Chief Information Officer, Cook County

Tom Lynch serves as the Chief Information Officer for Cook County Government. Prior to joining Cook County, Lynch served as Principal at SDI, a systems integrator focused on public sector clients. He also spent 25 years in IT leadership roles for the State of Illinois, Chicago Park District, and Chicago Public Schools. Across his career, Lynch led the acquisition and successful implementation of three ERP systems and two Time & Attendance systems. Lynch holds a B.A. in Political Science from Purdue University and an M.P.A. in Finance from the University of Delaware, in addition to a variety of professional certifications.

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Deborah Anderson

Enterprise Architecture Lead, City of Chicago

Deborah Anderson is an experienced government leader with over 20 years of IT leadership experience, specializing in aligning technology strategy with business objectives. She currently leads the new Enterprise Architecture division at the City of Chicago, where she guides strategic technology direction and ensures sustainable, future-ready systems through thoughtful governance and innovation.
Throughout her career, she has successfully managed complex mission-critical projects, developed technology roadmaps, standardized IT architecture, and translated business requirements into actionable architectural solutions.
With a advanced degrees in Health Law and Social Work, she brings a unique perspective to technology leadership and innovation, bridging policy, social impact, and IT strategy.

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Richard Burnson

Richard Burnson LinkedIn

Deputy Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Department, DuPage County 

Richard Burnson is a strategic technology executive with over 25 years of leadership experience driving digital transformation in public sector and education. Currently serving as Deputy CIO for DuPage County Government, Richard previously was the Executive Director of Infrastructure Services at Chicago Public Schools. Throughout his career, he has spearheaded transformative initiatives including a groundbreaking fiber network project, comprehensive cybersecurity enhancements, and large-scale deployments supporting educational equity. Known for his collaborative leadership approach and strategic vision, Richard excels at building high-performing teams, developing cross-agency partnerships, and implementing innovative technology solutions that create lasting impact. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration - Management Information Systems from Governors State University and has earned an Executive Scholar certificate at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management.

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Bruce Coffing

Bruce Coffing LinkedIn

Chief Information Security Officer, City of Chicago

Bruce Coffing is an information security professional with over twenty-five years industry experience in information technology and cyber security. He is currently the Chief Information Security Officer for the City of Chicago. Prior to joining the City of Chicago, Mr. Coffing held information security positions at Bank of America and at consulting firm Accenture. Mr. Coffing holds the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification and is a Qualified Technology Expert (QTE).
Mr. Coffing was a Finalist for the 2023 ChicagoCIO ORBIE CISO of the Year Award and was a Semi-finalist for the 2022 Chicago CISO of the Year Award.

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Jason Cummings

Jason Cummings

Account Executive, Local Government and Education, Google Public Sector

Jon Holcomb

Jon Holcomb

Director of Cybersecurity Consulting, U.S. West, AHEAD

Joel Inwood

Joel Inwood LinkedIn

Deputy Director of Communications, Cook County Bureau of Technology 

Joel Inwood is the Deputy Director of Communications in the Cook County Bureau of Technology (BOT), an office under County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. He started work in BOT as a Public Information Officer 10 years ago. He has a master's degree in communications from Johns Hopkins University. He volunteers with the Alliance of Civic Technologists and Chi Hack Night.

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Trever Johnson

Trever Johnson

Head of Customer Engineering, US Central SLED, Google Public Sector

Trever is a passionate thought leader, advocate, educator and innovator in the cloud and emerging technology spaces.  At Google Public Sector, Trever leads the Engineering organization responsible for championing innovative solutions for State and Local Governments, as well as Educational Institutions across 19 states. His organization’s work has ranged from improving language accessibility in government services to streamlining unemployment benefits distribution.  Trever finds true joy in educating others in new technologies, embraces a holistic approach to problem solving and encourages others to leverage technology as an avenue to solve the world’s hardest problems!

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Waseem Khan

Waseem Khan LinkedIn

Chief Information Officer, City of Rolling Meadow 

Waseem is the Chief Information Officer at the City of Rolling Meadows. With his 27 years plus experience in Information Technology, he oversees all aspects of technology in the City.  He received his Master’s degree from Keller Graduate School specializing in IT Management and Information Security.  Over the years, Waseem’s skillset and knowledge have garnered him a lot of recognition, which is how he was able to be elected as the Vice President of Management for GMIS-Illinois in Nov. 2022. 

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John Matelski

John Matelski

Executive Director, Center for Digital Government

Prior to joining the Center, Matelski served for 25 years as an Information Technology & Security executive for municipal (City of Orlando, FL) and county government (Gwinnett County, GA), most recently retiring from DeKalb County, GA after 12 years of service.  John’s duties included executive management of all information technology and security resources and systems that support operations and drive innovation throughout the County enterprise. As DeKalb County CIO, he oversaw more than 100 employees serving ~800 million residents.
Matelski graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Computer Science and an M.B.A. with an emphasis in Computer Information Systems and has been a Certified Government CIO since 2011.  Matelski has a proven track record of leadership in the public and private sectors, utilizing innovation and resourcefulness with a proven ability to build a compelling vision and move an organization toward it. Matelski rebuilt DeKalb County, GA’s technology capabilities from the ground up, helping lead to 8 straight years of recognition as a top 10 winner of the Center for Digital Government annual Digital Counties Survey.  
John has won numerous awards including Government Technology’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers, State of Georgia CIO ORBIE Award Finalist, and the Computerworld/Smithsonian Laureate Award for Information Technology.  During his tenure with DeKalb County, Matelski was also very active in technology leadership roles with the National Association of Counties (NACo), having served as Chair of the IT Standing Committee, Vice Chair of the Telecommunication & Technology Committee, and Vice Chair of the County Technology Advisory Council.

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Anthony McPhearson

Anthony McPhearson LinkedIn

Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Department, DuPage County 

Anthony McPhearson is an accomplished Chief Information Officer and passionate IT executive with over 23 years of experience driving digital transformation, operational excellence, and enterprise-wide technology modernization. As CIO of DuPage County, he leads the strategic vision, cybersecurity posture, and service delivery for one of Illinois’ largest counties, empowering government operations through secure, resilient, and citizen-focused IT solutions.
Known for his ability to bridge innovation with execution, Anthony has successfully led initiatives in cloud modernization, artificial intelligence, ERP optimization, and omnichannel service platforms. His leadership fosters data-informed decision-making and long-term technology planning, ensuring sustainable growth and improved outcomes for internal departments and the communities they serve.
In addition to his CIO role, Anthony is the President of McPhearson Group, a professional services and executive search firm that provides tailored IT recruiting solutions nationwide. His dual leadership roles highlight his unique perspective on building high-performing teams, managing complex projects, and cultivating public-private technology partnerships.
Anthony is particularly passionate about the intersection of AI and cybersecurity. He champions responsible innovation while advancing secure digital ecosystems. He is a trusted advisor among public sector peers, recognized for transforming challenges into strategic opportunities and aligning IT investments with mission-critical goals.
His achievements include winning the Trendsetter of the Year Award from Accela in 2022 and the AITP Most Effective Team Award, which honors outstanding innovation and performance in public sector IT leadership.
Key Areas of Expertise:
Strategic IT Leadership
AI-Driven Innovation
Cybersecurity & Risk Management
Cloud and Infrastructure Modernization
Digital Government Services
Public Sector Transformation
Vendor & Contract Management
Enterprise Program & Service Management
Talent Development & Workforce Strategy

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Lewis Waldia Powell

Lewis Waldia Powell LinkedIn

Deputy Budget Director - Data Analytics Division, City of Chicago 

Lewis Powell has been at Chicago’s City Hall for over a decade. As the leader of the Data Analytics Division, he and his team in the Office of Budget and Management are using data to transform City operations and build an organizational culture of data driven policies.

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Chuck Ruehling

Chuck Ruehling

Chief Information Security Officer, Information Security Office, Bureau of Technology, Cook County  

Charles “Chuck” Ruehling is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for Cook County, Illinois. He came to Cook County in 2018 from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at Goddard Space Flight Center where he worked as the Cyber Threat Analyst and Certification and Authorization Official. Prior to that, he was the Cyber Security Program Manager for the Office of Environmental Management at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in Washington DC. 
Chuck retired from the U.S. Army in April of 2011 and after a brief time as a contractor working for the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) he started Federal Service for DOE. During his time in the Military, he served in numerous positions as a Telecommunications Systems Engineer at Fort Bragg, NC, Seoul, South Korea and culminating in an assignment with the Information Assurance Directorate at the National Security Agency at Fort Meade, MD. 
Chuck has an undergraduate degree in Computer Science from Iowa State University and a Master of Arts in Computer Resources and Information Management from Webster University. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional since 2008. 

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Omar Sandoval

Omar Sandoval LinkedIn

Chief Information Officer, Government Technology

Omar Sandoval is the Chief Information Officer for Government Technology, a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. Prior to joining the Center, Omar was the Director of Information Technology for the Naperville Park District.
Omar has won numerous awards which include a Distinguished Services Award, by the Naperville Jaycees; Four Under 40 Achievement Award, presented by the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce which recognizes young who demonstrate excellence based on leadership in the community, business leadership, and career and life balance. Government Technology magazine honored Omar with awards for Technology Innovations in the Park District Operations and Citizens categories; Top 25 Doers, Dreamers, and Drivers and a Leadership Innovation Award for his efforts in assisting his own organization and others to start eSports leagues during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Omar earned his Master of Science degree in Business Analytics with a concentration in Business Administration from Benedictine University. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at the College of DuPage in the Computer and Information Technology department.  

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Mark Shipman

Mark Shipman LinkedIn

Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, Information Security Office, Bureau of Technology, Cook County 

Mark has been a technology and security professional for over 30 years. He began his career building security technology to protect electrical power grids and nuclear generation facilities. From there he moved to the financial sector working in stock and option trading security before joining the Internet boom where he built security solutions for large online retailers in the early days of e-commerce. Since then, he brought his experience to various global organizations in pharmaceuticals, talent management and media, higher education, marketing services, and HR/financial/management consulting. His government experience includes roles at the City of Chicago and Cook County Health. He is currently the Deputy CISO of Cook County.

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Hema Sundaram

Hema Sundaram

Chief Technology Officer, Cook County 

Hema is an innovative and strategic technology leader who has led multitude of business challenges and aligned IT strategy with Business Strategy, implemented IT Governance, managed large capital and operating budgets, brought cost savings and operational efficiencies through IT solutions.
Hema is utilizing this vast experience to modernize IT Infrastructure, Enterprise Architecture, Cloud migration and Disaster Recovery and manage IT operations at Cook County. Previously, Hema was the CIO and VP of Technology at the Chicago Transit Authority. CTA is the second largest transit agency in the United States. She worked on modernizing transit applications and IT infrastructure at the CTA and aligned IT Strategy with Modernization goals of the company. Prior to joining the CTA team, Hema built a career serving Chicago residents as part of the Technology department at the City of Chicago. She functioned in various roles and collaborated with all City departments, building IT strategy and implementing innovative programs. Hema is continuing this collaborative spirit in her current role by working with all County agencies on Technology initiatives to better serve the residents of the County. Hema has a Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. 

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Mark Taghap

Mark Taghap LinkedIn

Chief Information Security Officer, City of Aurora 

Mark Taghap is the Chief Information Security Officer for the City of Aurora, bringing 25 years of experience as a Network Engineer, Information Technology Manager, and Director of Information Technology across various industries, including manufacturing, private equity, engineering, telecom, and consulting. He was an instrumental part on projects with Illinois Department of Transportation, IL Tollway, and Cook County Office of Capital Planning.
In the past 6 years, he’s added cybersecurity to his repertoire of skillsets, focusing on risk assessment, mitigation, penetration testing, incident response plans, and vendor due diligence. Being a more technical CISO, he also works closely with Infrastructure and Operations teams to continue evolving the City of Aurora’s infrastructure and cybersecurity posture.
Mark earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management at Northern Illinois University in 1999. He completed the Cybersecurity Professional Program at the University of Michigan in 2022 and graduated in the Post Graduate Program in Cybersecurity at the University of Texas (Austin) in 2023.

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Marc Thorson

Marc Thorson LinkedIn

Director of Regional Technology Services, Northern Illinois University

Marc Thorson is the Executive Director of Regional Technology Services in the Division of Information Technology for Northern Illinois University.  He oversees all aspects of NIU’s broadband initiatives, Internet Service, and other technology service offerings to local communities. Prior to joining NIU, Marc has worked for over 20 years in local government Information Technology for 3 different municipalities. He has earned a Master of Business Administration degree from NIU. In addition to supporting open access broadband initiatives, he assists the NIU Center for Governmental Studies group on consulting work and is an instructor for NIU’s Master of Public Administration program teaching the Information Technology for Public and Nonprofit Organizations course.

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Ram Tyagi

Ram Tyagi LinkedIn

Chief Information Officer, City of Aurora

Ram Tyagi is a seasoned technology leader with a proven track record in IT management, security governance, and strategic transformation. With deep expertise in cloud computing, data modernization, and emerging technologies, he has successfully led large-scale, enterprise-wide initiatives that deliver agility, scalability, and cost efficiency. Ram has managed strategic roadmaps and budgets for his department with efficiency, transparency, and agility. Ram excels in developing secure, future-ready technology ecosystems, leveraging automation to streamline operations, and integrating AI and machine learning to drive business value. He brings extensive experience managing complex vendor relationships and ensuring alignment with organizational goals and operational excellence.
Known for fostering a start-up and collaboration mindset, Ram champions innovation, encourages experimentation, and leads with agility and a relentless focus on quality. His leadership has consistently enabled the successful delivery of complex projects in dynamic and fast-evolving environments including some projects in federal government space. Throughout his career, Ram has built and empowered high-performing, cross-functional teams while cultivating a culture of continuous learning. His commitment to staying ahead of emerging technology trends and security best practices has helped organizations achieve impactful, scalable transformations.

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Bala Vaithyalingam

Bala Vaithyalingam

WW Leader for Data & AI Solutions, IBM

Bala is a recognized Thought Leader on Data and AI from IBM. He leads Worldwide Solution engineering from IBM Technology Expert Labs to design and deliver solutions around Data Governance, Data Integration, Data Observability, GenAI and AI Governance.
Bala has a proven track record of designing and implementing Data and AI solutions for many State agencies, federal and private organizations in North America and around the world. He has extensive expertise in working with Chief Information Officers (CIOs) Chief Data Officers (CDOs) and CXOs to develop information governance strategy, Data Strategy, and agile implementation roadmaps to successfully adopt the governance journey to meet their regulatory compliance needs as well as to generate business value from the data management landscape. Bala received many awards in IBM including patent application invention achievement award for governed database connectivity through and around data catalog to registered data sources.
Bala lives in Frisco, Texas, and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Purdue University and awarded three University gold medals for his outstanding achievements in bachelor degree (B.Tech) from Anna University, India.

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Arantxa Valverde

Arantxa Valverde LinkedIn

Director of Gender Equity & Venture Partnerships, World Business Chicago

Arantxa Valverde is the Director of Gender Equity and Venture Partnerships at World Business Chicago, where she leads initiatives to foster inclusive innovation and equitable access across the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. With a background in early-stage startup development from her time at 1871, Arantxa brings a deep commitment to building bridges between communities, resources, and opportunities. She is passionate about creating systems that empower individuals in their everyday lives and takes pride in her role as a connector and ecosystem builder. Outside of work, she is an avid reader and runner, currently training for the Chicago Marathon.

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Jackie White

Jackie White LinkedIn

National Conference Director, Government Technology

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Agenda

Tuesday, June 3

8:00 am Central

Registration and Morning Refreshments

Grand Ballroom A and Foyer

9:00 am Central

Welcome & Event Opening Ceremonies

Grand Ballroom BC

Jackie White, National Conference Director, GovTech

9:10 am Central

Opening Remarks

Grand Ballroom BC

Nick Lucius, Commissioner and Chief Information Officer, City of Chicago

Tom Lynch, Chief Information Officer, Cook County

9:20 am Central

Keynote - Think Like a Futurist: Turning Trends into Opportunities

Grand Ballroom BC

Leaders must embrace futures thinking to see the signals and trends shaping our world, and to anticipate how we can transform and uncover new opportunities. This session helps you develop foresight to address the most common challenges facing the public sector: evolving constituent expectations, emerging tech, sustainability, misinformation, privacy, security, global megatrends, and domestic shifts in economies, workforces, and societal movements. Nikolas Badminton will guide you through futurist tools and techniques, teaching you to identify signals and trends, harness strategic foresight, and unlock resiliency by shifting your perspective from what is to WHAT IF…

Nik Badminton, Chief Futurist and Hope Engineer

10:20 am Central

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Grand Ballroom A and Foyer

10:50 am Central

Concurrent Sessions

Enterprise Architecture as a Catalyst for Innovation

State

As public sector organizations continue to expand their technology ecosystems; enterprise architects face the challenge of cleaning up and integrating the very systems they’ve spent years building (or inheriting). Legacy infrastructure, sprawling data environments, and fragmented technology stacks can lead to inefficiencies, security risks, and operational silos. This session will explore strategies for streamlining enterprise architecture, addressing technical debt, and ensuring that technology and processes are seamlessly woven into a cohesive, scalable system.

Moderator: Omar Sandoval, Chief Information Officer, Government Technology

Deborah Anderson, Enterprise Architecture Lead, City of Chicago

Anthony Ardolino, IT Director, Village of Tinley Park

Trever Johnson, Head of Customer Engineering, US Central SLED, Google Public Sector

Hema Sundaram, Chief Technology Officer, Cook County

Mark Taghap, Chief Information Security Officer, City of Aurora

Managing Insider Threats: Detecting and Mitigating Risks from Within Your Organization

Ogden

Insider threats are one of the most complex risks organizations face today. This panel discussion will explore various potential insider threats, from supply chain vulnerabilities introduced by foreign entities offering discounted tech, to HR risks posed by disgruntled employees seeking to harm cloud-based assets. Do your current policies effectively safeguard against these unique threats? Hear from your peers that have experienced both intentional and accidental insider threats, and can offer practical strategies for detecting risks, strengthening controls, and minimizing potential damage.

Moderator: Jackie White, National Conference Director, Government Technology

Bruce Coffing, Chief Information Security Officer, City of Chicago

Jon Holcomb, Director of Cybersecurity Consulting, U.S. West, AHEAD

Chuck Ruehling, Chief Information Security Officer, Information Security Office, Bureau of Technology, Cook County

Doing More with Less: Maximizing IT Partnerships for Government Efficiency

Van Buren

With funding cuts impacting IT operations for many throughout the region, this session will address key challenges such as sustaining services while managing limited resources, reducing cloud costs, and handling license management without compromising service delivery. Attendees will gain insights into effectively managing outsourcing agreements, fostering enhanced vendor collaboration, and navigating the complexities of funding discussions with elected officials and decision-makers. By examining best practices and strategic partnerships, this session aims to provide actionable solutions for maximizing government efficiency through optimal IT partnerships.

Moderator: Waseem Khan, Chief Information Officer, City of Rolling Meadow

Jason Donisch, Chief Information Officer, Information, Communications and Technology Director, Will County

Lewis Waldia Powell, Deputy Budget Director, Data Analytics Division, City of Chicago

Mark Shipman, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, Information Security Office, Bureau of Technology, Cook County

Achieving Digital Accessibility

Monroe

Are you prepared for the upcoming federal mandate on digital accessibility? By April 2026, all state and local government websites and mobile applications must meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA to provide equal access for individuals with disabilities. How can public agencies not only comply but also enhance user experiences for all citizens? In this session, discover practical strategies to bring your digital platforms into compliance. Hear firsthand from public sector leaders who are successfully navigated this mandate, as they share their experiences in assessing digital content, identifying accessibility gaps, and implementing best practices. By the end of the session, you’ll have more resources and knowledge to comply with the mandate and ways to integrate accessibility into your digital development workflows.

Moderator: John Matelski, Executive Director, Center for Digital Government

Richard Burnson, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Department, DuPage County

Joel Inwood, Deputy Director of Communications, Cook County Bureau of Technology

Christian Taylor, Director of Digital Equity, Office of the Mayor, City of Chicago

11:50 am Central

Make your way to the Ballroom for Lunch

12:00 pm Central

Lunch

Grand Ballroom BC

12:45 pm Central

General Session – The Glass Ceiling: We All Play a Role in Breaking IT

Grand Ballroom BC

Despite significant progress, women in technology continue to face barriers to advancement, and the glass ceiling remains a challenging hurdle in many organizations – public, and private. This session will dive deep into why this barrier persists and how we can work together to dismantle it. Panelists will explore ways to create an inclusive environment where skills, not biases, take center stage. We’ll also discuss what resources are needed to support women in overcoming these barriers—whether it's mentorship, training, or a shift in organizational culture. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the challenges women face in tech, ways to be an ally in action, and actionable steps to foster an environment where women can thrive and reach their full potential.

Moderator: Jackie White, National Conference Director, Government Technology

Hema Sundaram, Chief Technology Officer, Cook County

Arantxa Valverde, Director of Gender Equity and Venture Partnerships, World Business Chicago

1:10 pm Central

Short Break

Please proceed to the concurrent sessions.

1:30 pm Central

Concurrent Sessions

Beyond the Hype: GenAI for Real-World Impact

State

As AI technologies continue to become a staple in our IT toolkits, we’re still discovering the best ways to apply them for meaningful, real-world outcomes—while ensuring compliance with policies and NIST standards. From predictive analytics in public safety to automating routine tasks, enhancing citizen engagement, and streamlining document generation, AI is already driving impactful change in the public sector. In this session, hear from public sector leaders who have navigated data privacy concerns, tackled ethical challenges, and successfully integrated GenAI into their existing systems.

Moderator: Omar Sandoval, Chief Information Officer, Government Technology

Ngbede Otowo, Manager of Governance, Risk, and Compliance, Bureau of Technology, Cook County

Rahul K Patel, Director of Cybersecurity, Cook County

Bala Vaithyalingam, WW Leader for Data & AI Solutions, IBM

Law Enforcement + Public Safety and IT

Ogden

The integration of cutting-edge IT solutions is revolutionizing how law enforcement and emergency services address crime, disasters, and emergencies. From real-time data collection through license plate readers to AI-driven surveillance and predictive analytics, technology is shaping a safer, more efficient future for communities and law enforcement personnel. However, these advancements also raise critical challenges related to data privacy, security, and ethics. This session will delve into the latest IT innovations transforming public safety, analyze the complexities involved in their adoption, and present best practices for navigating the associated challenges in this rapidly evolving field.

Moderator: John Matelski, Executive Director, Center for Digital Government

Anthony McPhearson, Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Department, DuPage County

Amar Patel, Chief Information Officer, Cook County Sherrif's Office

Tech Talent Recruitment and Retention

Van Buren

As the workforce landscape evolves, attracting and retaining top talent has become a critical challenge for organizations, especially the public sector. How do we help ensure that the people in our region have access to training so they are qualified for these high-demand, well-paying jobs in the IT sector? Where can individuals go to hone their skills if they’re looking to advance in their tech-career? This session will explore strategies for equipping individuals with the skills they need to thrive in the expanding tech workforce, highlighting key programs and initiatives that foster growth and bridge the skills gap.

Moderator: Marc Thorson, Director of Regional Technology Services, Northern Illinois University

Ram Tyagi, Chief Information Officer, City of Aurora

Matt Morton, Assistant Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer, University of Chicago

Exclusive Briefing for Industry Partners

Monroe

Moderator: Jackie White, National Conference Director, Government Technology

Bruce Coffing, Chief Information Security Officer, City of Chicago

Nick Lucius, Commissioner and Chief Information Officer, City of Chicago

Tom Lynch, Chief Information Officer, Cook County

Chuck Ruehling, Chief Information Security Officer, Cook County

2:30 pm Central

Networking Break in the Exhibit Area

Grand Ballroom A and Foyer

3:00 pm Central

General Session – Think Like a Local: What’s Next in Chicagoland Tech

Grand Ballroom BC

Chicago-area public sector IT leaders are committed to a constituent-first approach in all we do. As we begin leading the nation in quantum technology, what will this mean for the people of our region? How do each of us look at the responsibility we have in facing the future of evolving constituent expectations, emerging tech, sustainability, misinformation, privacy, security, global megatrends, and domestic shifts in economies, workforces, and societal movements right here at home? Join our panelists for a discussion on how we confront these challenges from a local perspective in an interconnected world.

Moderator: Jackie White, National Conference Director, Government Technology

Bruce Coffing, Chief Information Security Officer, City of Chicago

Nick Lucius, Commissioner and Chief Information Officer, City of Chicago

Tom Lynch, Chief Information Officer, Cook County

Chuck Ruehling, Chief Information Security Officer, Cook County

3:55 pm Central

Closing Remarks

4:00 pm Central

Networking Reception in the Exhibit Area

Grand Ballroom A and Foyer

Network with your colleagues and discuss technology solutions with the event exhibitors.

4:30 pm Central

End of Conference

Conference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.

JW Marriott Chicago

151 West Adams Street
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 660-8200

Get Directions To
JW Marriott Chicago

Advisory Board

Government Representatives

Chris Blanding
Chief Information Officer
Lake County

Adam Clement
Deputy Chief Information Officer
Bureau of Technology
Cook County

Bruce Coffing
Chief Information Security Officer
Bureau of Information Technology
City of Chicago

Jason Donisch
Chief Information Officer
Information, Communications & Technology Director
Will County

Roger Fahnestock
Chief Information Officer
Kane County

Joel Inwood
Public Information Officer
Bureau of Technology
Cook County

Raymond Kay
Homeland Security Branch Chief
Cook County

Waseem Khan
Chief Information Officer
City of Rolling Meadows

Matthew Kinsey
IT Director
Technology Services
Kendall County

Charles Lasky
Deputy Chief Information Officer
Kane County

Glen Liljeberg
Director of Information Technology
Village of Westmont

Nick Lucius
Acting Chief Information Officer
Office of the Mayor
City of Chicago

Tom Lynch
Chief Information Officer
Cook County

Anthony McPhearson
Chief Information Officer
DuPage County

Jacqueline Nguyen
Director
Department of Information Technology
City of Naperville

Bryan Pravel
Technology Information Officer
Cook County Health

Charles Ruehling
Chief Information Security Officer
Cook County

Peter Schaak
Director of Information Technology
Village of Schaumburg

Chris Sternal
Chief Information Officer
City of Joliet

Tom Sullivan
Chief Information Officer
McHenry County

Hema Sundaram
Chief Technology Officer
Bureau of Technology
Cook County

Mark Taghap
Chief Information Security Officer
Information Technology Division
City of Aurora

Derrick Thomas
Deputy Chief Information Officer
Bureau of Technology
Cook County

Marc Thorson
Director of Regional Technology Services
Northern Illinois University

Rod Warren
Deputy Chief Information Officer
Bureau of Information Technology
City of Chicago

Industry Representatives

James Northern
Client Leader, Lead Account Partner
IBM

Registration Information / Contact Us

Event Date: June 3, 2025

Open to Public Sector only.

Registration - Free

If you represent a Private Sector organization and are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Heather Earney.

Contact Information

For registration and general assistance contact:

Sherri Tidwell
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1382
E-mail: stidwell@erepublic.com

For assistance or questions concerning Sponsor Logos or Logistics please contact:

Mireya Gaton
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 296-2617
E-Mail: mgaton@erepublic.com

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact:

Heather Earney
Government Technology
Phone: (916) 932-1339
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com

Venue

JW Marriott Chicago

151 West Adams Street
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 660-8200

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Room Block 

Room Rate: $339/night, single or double. 
Rate Cut-Off Date: Tuesday, May 13th, 2025

To Make a Reservation: 
Phone: (888) 236-2427 and reference Chicago Regional Digital Government Summit

Rooms are on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note, once the room block is full, you will need to make other arrangements for your accommodations with the hotel directly or at a nearby hotel. 

Map and Directions 

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/chijw-jw-marriott-chicago/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0

Event Parking 

Self-parking: $68/night 
Valet parking: $88/ daily

Note: No trailers or RVs allowed.

Off-Site Parking:
Tower Garage (211 W Adams St.)-Recommended but not hotel affiliated 0.1 Miles 

Parking fees subject to change without notice.