Former state official named Preckwinkle's chief of staff

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has appointed Brian Hamer, former director of the Illinois Department of Revenue, as her new chief of staff effective Wednesday.

"I am grateful that Brian has agreed to join our team," Preckwinkle said in a news release. "His substantial management experience, his thorough understanding of finance, his passion for public service, and his collaborative approach will fit well with our administration's approach to governing."

Hamer served 12 years as director the IDR, leading an 1,800-person agency responsible for the collection and distribution of $40 billion of taxes each year on behalf of the state, local governments and school districts. He was the longest-serving revenue director in state history.

From 1990 to 1997, Hamer worked as chief assistant corporation counsel in Chicago's Department of Law, where he headed the tax division. From 1998 to 2003, he served as the first deputy in the Chicago Department of Revenue.

Earlier in his career, Hamer practiced law at two Chicago firms and worked at the Cook County Board of Tax Appeals.

"I am pleased to join the Preckwinkle administration and have the opportunity to contribute to the continuing transformation of Cook County government," Hamer said in a news release. "Public service is all about helping people, and President Preckwinkle's emphasis on public health, public safety and criminal justice reform, and economic development are the kinds of policy priorities which do exactly that."

Hamer, a Chicago resident, attended Yale University, where he graduated in 1978 with a degree in history, and earned a law degree in 1982 from Columbia University Law School.

He replaces Tasha Green Cruzat, who resigned last month to become president of Voices for Illinois Children.