Quinn names new police director

By Jamey Dunn

Gov. Pat Quinn named a new director of the Illinois State Police after shifting his original and controversial choice for the job to a different position in his administration.

Quinn tapped Hirum Grau, deputy chief of investigations for Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, to head up the state police. Grau started his 27-year stint with the Chicago Police as a beat cop and eventually became deputy superintendent for the Bureau of Investigative Services. He is also a Vietnam War veteran.

Quinn’s first choice for the position, Iraq War veteran Jonathon Monken, drew criticism because of his lack of law enforcement experience. Although Quinn appointed him in 2009, Monken never faced a confirmation hearing in the Senate. Instead, Quinn moved him in February to director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and the Senate confirmed the appointment earlier this month.

Quinn also appointed Joe Costigan as director of the Department of Labor today. Costigan is Chicago secretary-treasurer of Workers United, a labor group that is associated with the Service Employees International Union. He previously served as vice president of the Illinois branch of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations.

Grau and Costigan await approval from the Senate.