CHICAGO, Ill. (WJPF) – The director of the Illinois Department of Insurance is stepping down.  A sitting state senator has been appointed to take their place.

Democrat Ann Gillespie has represented Chicago’s northwest suburbs in the Illinois Senate since 2019 and sponsored the legislation creating the state-based health insurance marketplace.  She also has previous experience as a healthcare attorney and healthcare consultant.  She takes over at the department of insurance later this month.

Gillespie replaces current director, Dana Popish Severinghous, who has served in the role since January 2021.