In 2015, Brien J. Sheahan was appointed to the Illinois Commerce Commission by Governor Bruce Rauner for a five-year term. He served in the capacity of Chairman and CEO from January 20, 2015, through April 15, 2019.

Recognized internationally and nationally as a leader among state regulatory commissioners for his promotion of innovation and forward-looking regulatory policy, former Commissioner Sheahan was asked to chair the Presidential Task Force on Innovation for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). He also serves on the NARUC Board of Directors and frequently speaks and publishes on the role of state utility commissioners in driving modernization of the nation’s utility infrastructure and regulatory paradigms.

During his chairmanship, former Commissioner Sheahan initiated the first rigorous strategic plan for the agency in a generation and established a first-of-its-kind Office of Cybersecurity and Risk Management and Office of Diversity and Community Affairs. He also spearheaded Illinois’ exploration of the “utility of the future” with a study called NextGrid. Former Commissioner Sheahan also led a nationally recognized effort to diversify the ranks of ICC leadership, resulting in the ICC being named the most diverse public utilities commission in the United States.

Prior to being appointed to the Commission, Sheahan was a senior advisor to Governor Rauner’s successful 2014 campaign, Counsel to the Governor’s transition committee, and Director of Government Relations for an Illinois-based Fortune 500 industrial manufacturer.

His extensive background in government includes serving three Illinois Governors in senior leadership roles and as General Counsel of the Illinois Republican Party. Sheahan was also an elected member of the DuPage County Board for ten years and served on the staffs of the Office of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the Illinois Commerce Commission. He was Deputy Executive Director of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, a $2 Billion quasi-public affordable housing lender, where he oversaw government relations, legal, human resources, and information technology.

Former Commissioner Sheahan received his Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning, with high honors, from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and his Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law. He resides with his wife and son in Hinsdale, Illinois.