Allison Pink
Members of the Illinois Finance Authority Board, appointed Allison Pink as Executive Director, effective August 3, 2026. With 25 years of experience in financial services, Pink brings a depth of experience to the role. Pink succeeds Interim Executive Director Ximena “Six” Granda.
Pink’s experience includes helping clients in Illinois and across the country issue municipal bonds to finance and refinance capital projects across a variety of sectors, including healthcare, affordable housing, higher education and non-for-profit, transportation, states, and local governments. Over the course of her career, Pink has developed exceptionally strong strategic leadership skills; quantitative, technical and financial modeling proficiencies; marketing aptitude; and teamwork and management expertise.
In addition to her executive role, Pink is an active leader in the Illinois public finance community. She currently serves on the Board of the Chicago Chapter of Women in Public Finance and served as President on the National Women in Public Finance Board earlier in her career. She is also an active member of the Ambassadors Council of the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago, the Executive Women’s Council of the Northern Illinois Food Bank, and a member of the Chicago Finance Exchange, a prestigious, invitation-only network of women leaders in the finance industry.
More From The Executive Director
September 15, 2026
Dear Members of the Authority:
This Month’s Agenda
Welcome to the September 15, 2026, regular meeting of the Illinois Finance Authority (the “Authority”). New Business Items for consideration and approval this month include bond resolutions on behalf of three returning borrowers: The University of Chicago, DePaul University, and Waste Management, Inc. The University of Chicago is requesting the Authority to issue revenue bonds to finance improvements to facilities on its Main Campus, Press Campus, Gleacher Center, and a parking garage; DePaul University is requesting the Authority to issue revenue bonds to refund outstanding Series 2016 and 2016A bonds; and Waste Management, Inc. is requesting the Authority to issue revenue bonds to finance improvements to its landfill facilities at locations across Illinois.
In addition, the agenda this month includes a bond resolution for a first-time farmer requesting the Authority to issue a revenue bond to purchase approximately 159 acres of farmland in West Salem, Illinois, and includes an inducement resolution on behalf of Midwest Wood Specialties, Corp. to acquire, construct, and equip a solid waste recycling facility in Canton, Illinois. We are also requesting approval for a resolution authorizing the creation and development of a pilot program to support agricultural financing through direct loans or participation loans. Lastly, the agenda includes a resolution authorizing the Authority to proceed with necessary procurement paths for a potential upcoming transaction by the Authority to issue its State of Illinois Clean Water Initiative Revolving Fund Revenue Bonds.
Loan Participations for Climate Bank Programs
In August 2026, the Authority closed on two State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) loans, including a $1 million participation loan to support the buildout of EV charging stations in Winfield, Illinois and $409,216 to fund a solar panel system for a not-for-profit entity in Rockford, Illinois.
Upcoming Events
The Authority plans to host and attend multiple industry events in September related to Climate Bank, Public Finance, and other areas. Notably,
- On September 14 and 15, Authority staff will be attending the Bond Buyer Infrastructure Conference;
- On September 17 and 18, Authority staff will be hosting a booth at the Illinois Municipal League Annual Conference;
- On September 17 and 18, Authority staff will be attending the Women in Public Finance Annual Conference;
- On September 22, Authority staff will be hosting a panel for UChicago Harris students as part of their Climate and Energy Trek;
- On September 23-25, Authority staff will be attending NYC Climate Week;
- On September 28, Authority staff will be attending a ribbon cutting ceremony for EV chargers funded through the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure grant program in Springfield;
- On September 28, Authority staff (Executive Director) will be presenting at the Illinois Government Finance Officers Association conference; and
- On September 29, Authority staff will be co-hosting a webinar with University of Illinois Extension.
Annual State Trainings
As the calendar year begins to come to a close, I want to remind all of the volunteer Members that their annual State training courses and signed Revolving Door forms are due to us by October 31, 2026. An email with more detailed instructions from Secretary O’Leary will be sent out following our meeting. Please reach out to Secretary O’Leary if you need any assistance getting into the portal. For any concerns related to the trainings themselves, please reach out to Deputy General Counsel Mark Meyer.
Respectfully,
Allison Pink
Executive Director
