Connie Beard Email & Phone Number

Springfield, Il

C.W. Beard LLC specializes in: Illinois State & Local Tax Law, Policy, and Regulation; Developing legislative tax strategies to address identified concerns; Providing history, policy background, and practical impact analysis of tax law changes; Regulatory analysis and comment; Providing up-to-date information on Illinois tax law changes; Navigating Illinois government administrative procedures; and Assisting businesses, associations and interest groups in managing tax strategies.

Appointed by Governor Rauner in January, 2015., to head Illinois Department of Revenue. Provided policy guidance to Governor and legislative leadership on key tax issues.As Director, responsible for an agency of 1,500 employees wtih an annual operating budget of $234 million. Oversaw the collection, deposit and distribution of $45+ billion in tax revenues annually.Managed and optimized day to day operations of a state agency through leading strategic planning initiatives, process improvements, integration of data analytics, management training, strategic human resource planning, policy analysis, team building and business, local government, and intergovernmental relations.

Founding Executive Director of the Illinois Chamber Tax Institute, an operating division of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. As Executive Director:Monitored state & local tax legislation, analyzed impact on Illinois business taxpayers, and worked with members of the Illinois General Assembly and staff to achieve positive outcomes;Actively monitored Dept. of Revenue rulemaking activities, providing comments and negotiating pro-business outcomes;Testified before Senate & House Revenue committees on behalf of business taxpayers;Prepared reports and advisories on important tax topics for Chamber membership.

Greater Chicago Area

Tax Manager in the state and local tax division of Grant Thornton, LLP, an international accounting and management consulting firm. Served as tax consultant to Illinois and multistate businesses;Represented business taxpayers before the Illinois Department of Revenue in informal conference disputes;Reviewed and analyzed tax legislation, evaluated impact on clients, and updated fellow staff professionals on changes in Illinois tax laws and regulations.Conducted staff training and participated as speaker in multi-state tax conferences.

As Deputy General Counsel & Acting General Counsel was a key member of the legal staff of the Director of the Illinois Dept. of Revenue and responsible for directing the legal support staff for the income, sales and excise tax divisions. Reviewed legislation and testified before Illinois legislature on tax policy implications.Provided legal advice to tax auditors and field collections services;Coordinated the activies of the Administrative Hearings Office;Reviewed hearing recommendations for the Director;Oversaw staff rulemaking activities policy development;Conducted extensive legal research on a variety of legal topics and drafted policy recommendations for the Director's consideration.

Juris Doctor

Bachelors Degree