Richard J. Winkel

Richard J. Winkel is director of IGPA's Office of Public Leadership and Public Affairs and an adjunct professor in the College of Law at the University of Illinois. At OPL, Winkel works to develop programs that provide leadership and executive training opportunities for elected and appointed public officials across the state. He also works to create opportunities for IGPA with leaders in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. 

Winkel was an Illinois state senator from 2003 to 2007, and an Illinois state representative from 1995 to 2003. From 1992 to 1994, he was a member of the Champaign County Board, where he served as chairman of the policy, procedures, and appointments committee.

Winkel practiced law in the Champaign-Urbana area for 23 years in civil litigation and, while serving in the Illinois General Assembly, a general civil practice. He was of counsel at Meyer Capel Law Firm while in the legislature, and before that a partner at Harrington, Porter & Winkel, in Champaign. He earned his law degree at DePaul University College of Law in 1982.

Winkel was a contributing editor for two publications: "Covenants Not to Compete: A State-By-State Survey," American Bar Association, 1991; and "Employee Duty of Loyalty: A State-By-State Survey," American Bar Association, 1995.

Winkel earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (B.A., Economics) in 1979. He was a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon, Omicron Delta Kappa, and an Edmund J. James Scholar.

Institute of Government and Public Affairs
1007 W. Nevada
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: 217-244-4817
Phone2: 217-244-3215