Maria S. Bocanegra

Commissioner, Chair of EV Working Group
Illinois Commerce Commission

Commissioner Maria S.Bocanegra was appointed to the Illinois Commerce Commission by Governor JB Pritzker on April 8, 2019, and confirmed by the Illinois Senate on May 31, 2019. As a Commissioner, she regulates public utilities, transportation and telecommunications entities in complex and technical matters.

Commissioner Bocanegra is an accomplished, well-respected attorney with prior public service under both Democratic and Republican administrations. She previously served as ALJ at the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.

She also held the Public Seat on the Labor Advisory Board for the IDOL, and practiced law focused on workers' compensation, employment and personal injury claims.

She is a frequent speaker, lecturer, keynote and participant in the energy and regulatory space. Her strong work ethic, acumen and deep industry connections has resulted in visible and progressively responsible roles leading small & large teams, multi-state member committees, working groups and several invitations to join select advisory boards, including the Financial Research Institute Advisory Council and the Center for Public Utilities Advisory Council.

As the National Chair for NARUC's Committee on Water, she leads 15+ states in steering the committee's interests in various water related issues that impact both commissions and stakeholders.

With demonstrated local, regional and national recognition in the TE space, the Commissioner also serves as Chair for NARUC's EV Working Group, promoting understanding of transportation electrification amongst 35+ public utility commissions. She also serves on the DOE's Voices of Experience Steering Committee, WRI's Electric School Bus Advisory Council and Nat'l EV Charging Initiative Advisory Council .

Commissioner Bocanegra has been recognized by Fortnightly's Under 40, Negocios Now's 40 Under 40, Negocios Now's Who's Who In Hispanic Chicago, Negocios Now's Rising Star and by Latino Leaders Magazine. She also served on the Chicago City Council Latino Caucus' program as a 2019-2020 Fellow focused on housing issues.

In 2021, Negocio's Now selected her as one of the 50 Most Influential Latinos in Chicagoland. Her work has been featured in Utility Dive, T&D World and Bloomberg Law.

She is only the second Latina to be appointed to the Illinois Commerce Commission. In her personal life, the Commissioner is an avid music lover, frequent traveler, pizza aficionado and enjoys learning all things real estate investing.