A career employee of the Illinois State Board of Elections, Rupert Borgsmiller was named its executive director in 2011. He began his career in the campaign disclosure division and worked his way up the ranks, learning every aspect of state elections laws and procedures. Borgsmiller leads a staff of more than 70 people to assure Illinoisans participate in fair and open elections and that candidates follow all applicable campaign laws, including campaign financing. His agency coordinates its efforts with 110 independent election authorities throughout the state. Borgsmiller is a native of Murphysboro and a graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s MPA program.