Robert Gilligan
Executive Director
gilligan@ilcatholic.org
Bob was named Executive Director in 2003, after serving as Associate Director for six years. He also is a past president of the National Association of State Catholic Conference Directors. He previously worked as chief of legislative services for the Arizona Department of Economic Security and at the political consulting firm of Jamieson and Guiterrez in Phoenix, AZ. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Marquette University and a master’s degree from Arizona State University.
Marilou Gervacio
Director of Social Services/Social Justice
gervacio@ilcatholic.org
Marilou is primarily responsible for public policy areas affecting Catholic Charities (social services and senior issues) as well as issues involving social justice, prison and jail ministry (including criminal and juvenile justice), and immigration. Prior to joining CCI, Marilou worked in policy and program development for the Office of the Illinois Attorney General and as a research attorney for the Uniform Law Commission. She graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from Northwestern University and received her J.D. with a Certificate in Health Law from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Marilou is a member of the Illinois Bar and belongs to the Chicago Bar Association, the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago, and the Catholic Bar Association.
Jeanette Malafa
Director of Government Relations
malafa@ilcatholic.org
Jeanette Malafa started with the Catholic Conference of Illinois as Government Relations Director in April of 2023. Previous to that, Ms. Malafa was the Director of Government Relations for Western Illinois University, overseeing both State and Federal Relations from 2012-2023. Before taking a position in higher education, Jeanette served on Illinois State Senate staff for 22 years. In addition to Illinois staff work, Ms. Malafa represented Illinois on the Legislative Education Staff Network and had the privilege of serving as Staff Co-Chair to the National Conference of State Legislature’s Education Committee for a term. Jeanette has extensive experience in fundraising and campaign management. She graduated from Eureka College with a B.A. in Social Science and Business, emphasis in Political Science and Economics, and holds a Graduate Certificate in Management of Not-For-Profits from University of Illinois Springfield. Both she and her family are members of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, IL.
Kelsey Chisam
Operations Manager and External Relations
chisam@ilcatholic.org
Kelsey oversees the office operations and manages external relations, focusing on fostering meaningful connections between lay Catholics and Catholic organizations to the General Assembly and State Government. Her work emphasizes collaborative efforts on legislative matters that align with faith-based values and priorities. She is a dedicated wife, and mother of two children who attend Christ the King in Springfield IL, where she and her family are also a parishioner and Girl Scout Troop co-leader.
Office:
In Springfield:
108 E. Cook St.
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: (217) 528-9200
Fax: (217) 528-7214