In a tweet, Gov. JB Pritzker credited Guerrier with helping transition the state’s “move to an enterprise system that will transform our ability to deliver services.”
“With an impressive track record that includes leadership positions at major companies across the country, it comes as no surprise that he has received an offer to bring his skills to another organization,” Pritzker added.
It’s not clear where Guerrier is headed professionally. He could not immediately be reached for comment. Jennifer Ricker will then assume the role of acting secretary after being named assistant secretary in February, Jennifer Schultz, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT), confirmed Friday.
Guerrier was named CIO in March 2019. He had spent some two decades managing IT in the private sector, working for companies like Express Scripts, a Fortune 100 company in the pharmaceutical benefit management space; Farmers Insurance Group; and Toyota North America.
He came on just in time to respond to a critical audit of DoIT, instituting a "five pillars" approach to focus the department's work. Guerrier also oversaw the state's approach to COVID-19, which included rapidly expanding telework capabilities for thousands and thousands of employees.
In a LinkedIn post about his career change, Guerrier expressed pride in expanding broadband access and managing complicated legacy systems.
"With blueprint in hand, leadership in place, and dedicated resources, the positive momentum will continue as I move onto my next chapter," he wrote.
Previous CIOs in Illinois include Hardik Bhatt, who left in 2017 after two and half years. Kirk Lonbom, a veteran of public service, then served until December 2018, followed by Jack King, who departed in February 2019 after serving in an acting role.
