Governors

Katie justak
​President

Katie Justak's passion for politics began in her childhood, where she volunteered for local Republican campaigns in her native Will County, Illinois. This passion for community service later translated into a successful public relations career and active civic leadership.

After starting her career in consumer marketing and healthcare public relations at prominent Chicago firms GolinHarris and Edelman, Justak used her skills as a program manager for the American Academy of Periodontology. She excelled at building relationships, acting as a liaison between dental educators, students, and professional associations.

Following her career in public relations, Justak became a full-time mother of four while continuing her dedication to community involvement. In her current home of La Grange, she has served as Vice Chair of the 2020 Task Force and Chair of the Citizens’ Council. Her commitment to public service extends to volunteer work at her children's schools, church, and as an assistant scoutmaster.

In 2021–22, Justak's extensive political experience led her to be  appointed as Lyons Township Committeeperson in Cook County. She now serves as president of The Lincoln Series Board of Governors, continuing her leadership to empower, lead and inspire Republican women to be purposeful leaders. 

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​JO CAULKINS​
​1ST VICE PRESIDENT

As a member of The Lincoln Series Board of Governors, Jo Caulkins welcomes the opportunity to share her enthusiasm and passion for politics with the future leaders of Illinois. She became active in politics while attending Eastern Illinois University, where she earned a bachelor’s of science in Early Childhood Education. Later, she also earned a certification in Community Arts Management from Sangamon State University.

Overtime Jo has worked on national, state and local campaigns, but it’s her passion for her community that helped her develop an extensive network due to her involvement in local causes and organizations. She was active as a Rotarian, Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, and Limitless Ambassador. She has served as a board member of the following organizations: Macon County Republican Women, Decatur Area Arts Council, Gallery 510, Obesity Prevention Coalition, Keep Macon County Beautiful, Keep IL Beautiful, Beautify Decatur Coalition, The Garden Club of Decatur, and the American Association of University Women. She continues her involvement by volunteering at the Salvation Army, Macon County Animal Shelter and Decatur Day Care Center.

She received the following honors for her dedication to her community: YWCA Woman of Excellence Community & Social Service Award, Outstanding Neighborhood Achievement from the Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations, Herald & Review Newspaper “40 over 40” Award, and the Illinois PTA Golden Apple Award.

​Jo enjoyed a 20-year career in education, spanning pre-k through college. Simultaneously, she established and managed three highly successful retail stores. Upon retirement from retail, Jo worked part-time for the next 10 years in diverse and rewarding fields as the Decatur Area Arts Council Special Projects Coordinator, an adjunct professor of Entrepreneurship at Millikin University, University of Illinois Extension in Economic Development, and executive director of the Macon County Health Foundation.

She resides in Decatur with her husband of 49 years, Illinois State Representative Dan Caulkins and their cats, Puss’n Boots.

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​​JILLIAN BERNAS
SECRETARY

Jillian Bernas is an elected official and active in local government in her hometown. She is a former educator who earned her BA in Spanish and Secondary Education from Saint Mary’s College and her MEd from the University of Notre Dame and learned the best way to learn something is to do it. She hopes to share with other women the lessons she learned working on various campaigns and as a candidate herself.
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As a teacher, Jillian taught both middle school Spanish and English in the United States and abroad. Interested in transitioning her career to policy work, she returned to graduate school for an AM/MPP from the University of Chicago/University of Chile and had been working in international relations until accepting a job closer to home with the recent arrival of her daughter. She currently drives the external affairs strategy for a local company.  
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Jillian serves her community as a Trustee on the Schaumburg Township District Library Board, Chair of the Township of Schaumburg Mental Health Committee, a volunteer ESL teacher at her church in Schaumburg and as a member of her local Rotary Club. She lives in Schaumburg with her husband, Angel, and children,  Patricia and Angelito.

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LAURA KOTELMAN
​TREASURER

Laura Kotelman has a B.A. in Political Science and Spanish from Lake Forest College where she was the College Republicans’ chapter president for two terms and honored as Senior 25 (selected based on history of showing great leadership among peers as well as demonstrating a positive impact on the College’s community). After a year with the Illinois State Senate Republican staff, she attended the University of Illinois College of Law where she was elected to the University Senate.

After law school, Laura worked for Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan in policy and program development and went on to work in state government affairs at a major insurance trade association. She then spent a decade with one of the world’s premier law firms as a marketing and business development professional with a focus on the insurance industry. Laura joined Governor Bruce Rauner’s Administration in January 2016 serving as chief of staff for two state agencies. She currently serves as an assistant general counsel for a state agency in Chicago. Laura serves on the board of the Chicago Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy. She is a former leader of the Chicago Young Republicans, which received multiple national awards during her tenure. Laura is the 44th Ward Republican Committeewoman in Chicago and resides in the Lakeview neighborhood.

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ABBY MCCARTHY
GOVERNOR

​Abby McCarthy (Alumna '22) is a Michigan native, with a passion for local politics. Before joining the Illinois Senate Republicans as a Member Engagement Coordinator, she worked a variety of campaigns throughout Illinois and Michigan. 

When she moved to Illinois, the Lincoln Series was instrumental in giving her the confidence and resources to become a fierce advocate for conservative voices in Illinois. She looks forward to passing that same experience on to future Lincoln Series classes. 

In addition to her service on the Lincoln Series Board she is also active in her community through her membership in her local Lions Club, serving on the Milton Township Community Mental Health Board, as well as her local Young Republican chapter. 

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TRACY BOST
​GOVERNOR

Mrs. Tracy Bost is married to House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost. Rep. Bost was first elected to Congress from Southern Illinois’ 12th District in 2014.

Mrs. Bost is involved in many civic, religious, and charitable endeavors in the Murphysboro community, including sponsoring students from abroad in their home.

In Washington, D.C., Tracy is a member of the Congressional Club, International Club Number One, Republican Women’s Club, Republican Women’s Federation Forum, and Republican Congressional Wives Speakers and serves on the advisory board for the International Leaders Summit. She is also the founder of the Encourage Prayer Movement, collecting prayer cards and words of inspiration for the President and the administration.

​In 1980, Tracy and Mike married following his completion of Marine Corps boot camp. They have three grown children – Steven, Kasey, and Kaitlyn – and eleven grandchildren.

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PAT BONK
governor

Bio to come soon...

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