ROCKFORD — Mayor Tom McNamara on Wednesday was named to Governor-elect J.B. Pritzker's Budget & Innovation Team as part of a bipartisan transition committee.

McNamara said Pritzker got to know Rockford over the course of several visits. McNamara is optimistic Pritzker will have a good relationship with leaders from the region. His visits included one in which McNamara said Pritzker took time off the campaign trail to meet with him to learn more about issues the city is facing with domestic violence and why the city created a Mayor's Office of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Prevention.

"Just having a governor who understands the importance of our community, understands the issues, understands the concerns we have, understands our challenges and understands our opportunities will be huge," McNamara said. "He visited Rockford more than any other candidate for governor. I thought he did a tremendous job of truly getting to know us."

The Budget & Innovation transition team is expected to tackle financial issues facing Illinois. It will help develop new ways to stimulate the state’s economy and improve its business climate, a news release said.

McNamara said Pritzker has a vision for "increasing our access to capital, developing our workforce and providing mentorship and opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs."

The 17-member Budget & Innovation Committee is chaired by former Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes. The group includes City of Chicago Budget Director Carol Brown; Pat Devaney, president of the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois; Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation of Chicago; former Illinois Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno; Springfield Park District President Leslie Sgro; and Decatur Mayor Julie Wolfe.

Jeff Kolkey: 815-987-1374; jkolkey@rrstar.com; @jeffkolkey