The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Drinda L. OConnor of Springfield to serve as a Commissioner of the Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission (A.R.D.C.) effective on January 1, 2021, and expiring on December 31, 2023. The A.R.D.C. is the Supreme Court agency that investigates allegations of lawyer wrongdoing in Illinois.  

OConnor is retired after having worked for 24 years in Illinois state government, most recently as the Deputy Chief of Operations for the Illinois Department of Human Services. Prior to her work at DHS, she served as the Director of Citizens Assistance and Consumer Affairs for Illinois Governors James R. Thompson and James Edgar. Additionally, OConnor has served as a commissioner of the Springfield Airport Authority, as president of the World Affairs Council of Central Illinois, and as president and a board member of Women in Management, Inc. OConnor is currently an appointed trustee of the Springfield Metro Sanitary Board and a member of the A.R.D.C.’s Hearing Board. 

OConnor, who holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Illinois, Springfield, is also a former elected trustee and chair of the Lincoln Land Community College Board of Trustees. 

OConnor will replace Commissioner Karen Hasara, whose term expires this year. The A.R.D.C. is composed of seven members, three of whom are non-lawyers. Attorney David F. Rolewick of Wheaton is the Commission Chairman. Commissioners receive no compensation for their services. The Commissioners establish A.R.D.C. policies, appoint members of the A.R.D.C. Inquiry and Hearing Boards and, subject to the approval of the Supreme Court, appoint the Commission's chief executive officer, the Administrator. More than 90 employees and over 100 lawyer and non-lawyer volunteers work for the A.R.D.C. All funds expended by the agency are from annual fees paid by Illinois attorneys. There are no tax dollars used to support the disciplinary system. Yearly fees are imposed on most Illinois lawyers to fund the A.R.D.C. There are two A.R.D.C. offices: One Prudential Plaza in Chicago and 3161 West White Oaks Drive, Suite 301, in Springfield.