Gov. Pat Quinn has named a former state representative as director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
Democrat Bob Flider served in the state House from 2003 to 2011 representing a central Illinois district.
Quinn called Flider a "tireless, effective leader for rural farming communities."
Flider also served as mayor of Mt. Zion from 1995 to 2003. He started his career as a reporter with the Mattoon Journal Gazette and Charleston Times-Courier.
He's worked at a nonprofit organization that promotes technology access in rural communities since last year.