Tom Hughes is a well-known and highly respected figure in Illinois’ state government and politics and throughout the public health community. Through UAct, Tom has committed to helping support the Springfield Community Federation in their development of the Community Health Worker program. Tom currently serves as the Executive Director of the Illinois Public Health Association. Prior to his move to the IPHA, he worked for the Illinois House of Representatives where he staffed the Executive Committee, Labor and Commerce Committee and managed appropriation and budget legislation. As Deputy Director of the Office of Health Protection at the Illinois Department of Public Health. Tom oversaw the operations of the three Illinois State laboratories, the Division of Food, Drugs and Dairy, Environmental Health and Infectious Diseases sections. During his tenure he dealt with the emergence of West Nile Virus, training for emergency response after 2011 and improved the emergency response of his office for natural and manmade disasters.