University of Illinois Chairman Christopher Kennedy says he plans to leave the school's board of trustees when his term ends in January.

Kennedy said at Thursday's trustees' meeting in Chicago that he's sure Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner will appoint a new trustee to replace Kennedy when he takes office in January.

Kennedy is a Democrat and was appointed by Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn in 2009. Rauner is a Republican.

University spokesman Tom Hardy said Kennedy had written Rauner to tell him he knew his time on the board is ending.

Hardy said Kennedy also strongly recommended to Rauner that trustee Ed McMillan remain on the board.

McMillan's term ends next year, too. The Republican businessman was appointed by Quinn.