Governor Makes Appointment to U of I Board

Governor Bruce Rauner announced today his appointment of University of Illinois alumnus Sanford ‘Sandy’ Perl to the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Perl, of Glencoe, is an attorney and partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Chicago.

“Sandy’s commitment to elevating the expectations of what can be accomplished at the University of Illinois makes him a forward-thinking addition to the board of our world renown university,” Rauner said. 

"We are committed to creating an economic climate that will keep the bright minds of our university students in Illinois after graduation. Sandy is one great example of a University of Illinois graduate who has stayed engaged in our state and will work to help improve our education system," Rauner said.

Perl attended the University of Illinois from 1983-1987 and graduated with a degree in Accountancy before earning his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School.

“It is a true honor for me to join the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, as the university has had a meaningful impact on my life since I had the privilege of being a student there over 30 years ago,” Perl said. “I am excited to join my fellow board members in working together with the university's phenomenal staff, faculty, and students to help the University of Illinois fulfill its mission to enhance the lives of the citizens of Illinois, across the nation and around the world, through leadership in learning, discovery, engagement and economic development.”

Perl is also eager to improve the university’s alumni engagement strategies to encourage alumni to commit their time and resources to the University of Illinois long after graduation, he said.

Besides education, Perl is deeply committed to the Jewish community and serves on the national board of directors for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the board of directors for the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, and the executive committee for the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership. He is the honored recipient of the Learned Hand Award from the American Jewish Committee.

He is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, the American Bar Association and recipient of the Elijah Watt Sells Award on the Uniform CPA Examination.

Perl taps into his passion for transparency and good governance as the chair of the audit committee at his law firm. He has been listed as a “Leading Lawyer for Business” in the category of “Private Equity” in Chambers USA every year since 2004.

Perl’s appointment is expected to go before the Senate for confirmation in the coming weeks.