Charles E. Box was appointed Chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) effective January 10, 2006, by Governor Rod Blagojevich.  Box’s term expires January 2009.  Box is the first African-American to head the agency.

A native of Rockford, he served as the city’s mayor from 1989-2001.  Prior to that he was the City Administrator from 1987-1988 and Legal Director from 1981-1987.  Box also worked as an associate attorney with Connolly, Oliver, Goddard, Coplan & Close in Rockford from 1976-1981.

He graduated magna cum laude from Dartmouth College with an A.B. in history in 1973.  Box also received a juris doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School in 1976.

Box has served on several boards and commissions since 1977, including the Illinois Growth Enterprises, Rockford College Board of Trustees, the Visiting Nurses Association Senior Protective Services, the Winnebago County Crime and Public Safety Commission, the Illinois Arts Council, the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation and the William S. Howard Charitable Trust.  He has been recognized with a number of awards, including the 1991 Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Service and Leadership presented by the American Medical Association, the 2001 Rockford Area Arts Council’s Mayor’s Art Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts and the 2002 Edward Potter Lathrop Medal presented by the Winnebago County Bar Association for distinguished public and professional achievement.