By Jamey Dunn
Gov. Pat Quinn sought to push back the effective date of a bill that would oust many of his appointees from office.
Senate Bill 1 would automatically clear out employees once their appointed terms have expired. Quinn could reappoint anyone he chose, but all appointments would have to go through the Senate for approval. “For too long too many officials and appointees have served in expired terms without undergoing the constitutionally required public review before the Senate,” Senate President John Cullerton and Minority Leader Christine Radogno wrote in a letter they sent to Quinn earlier this year urging him to sign the bill. According to a Senate review of appointees, almost 550 are serving beyond their appointed terms and nearly 100 of those collect a salary for their service. Paid employees currently serving beyond their terms would be immediately out of a job, while those serving in unpaid positions would be removed in 30 days.
Quinn returned the bill to the Senate with one tweak: he wants the effective dates bumped back. If Quinn had signed the bill, it would have taken effect immediately. Instead, if the legislature approves Quinn’s change, the law would kick in July 1 for those appointed to paying jobs and October 1 for those holding unpaid positions.
Quinn said in his amendatory veto message that he needs the time to seek candidates for the jobs that the legislation would make vacant. “I applaud the sponsors for working to make the executive appointments process even more transparent. My recommendations for change would honor the intent of the sponsors but would also give citizens ample time to apply for a vacant position and allow a reasonable amount of time for identifying and recruiting qualified candidates,” Quinn said in the message.
Annie Thompson, a spokeswoman for Quinn, said the governor also wants to allow the public enough time to make nominations for any positions that may be vacated through a website the administration created to take input on the appointment process from Illinois residents.
“Finding people who are the perfect fit for a certain position is not a quick process. We would like to be able to take the amount of time necessary to find those candidates,” Thompson said.
The original bill had more than enough supporters in both chambers to potentially override the governor’s veto. It now returns to the Senate, where members could vote to accept the governor’s changes, override them or take no action and allow the bill to die. "At this point we're going to study the governor's action to see if it complies with the Constitution,” John Patterson, a spokesman for Cullerton, said in a written statement.
Showing posts with label Pat Quinn's cabinet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pat Quinn's cabinet. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Appointment process under fire
By Jamey Dunn
UPDATE February 10, 2011: Senate Bill 1 passed in the Senate this morning. Executive appointees who have overstayed their appointed terms may soon find themselves booted from their positions.
Senate Bill 1, proposed by Senate President John Cullerton and Minority Leader Christine Radogno, was approved by a Senate committee today with unanimous support.
If the both chambers of the legislature approve the measure, all paid appointees who are serving beyond their terms and so-called acting appointees would be out of their jobs. Those who are not paid would lose their positions after 30 days. The governor could reappoint anyone he chooses.
Temporary appointments made while the legislature is in recess would only last until the next time the Senate is in session. The bill would also end the practice of allowing so-called acting appointees to serve for months without going through the formal confirmation process. Appointments made under the “acting” category would last only 30 days. After that, the governor would have to nominate the individual for the position, and he or she would have to be approved by the Senate to remain in the job.
Cullerton said the measure “mirrors the Constitution,” and he hopes to pass the bill through the legislature as soon as possible.
The Senate also changed its rules to require that executive appointments be numbered and entered into the General Assembly’s website, so they can be tracked in the same way as legislation.
A spokesperson for Gov. Pat Quinn said the governor "applauds" Cullerton for trying to make the executive appointment process more transparent.
UPDATE February 10, 2011: Senate Bill 1 passed in the Senate this morning. Executive appointees who have overstayed their appointed terms may soon find themselves booted from their positions.
Senate Bill 1, proposed by Senate President John Cullerton and Minority Leader Christine Radogno, was approved by a Senate committee today with unanimous support.
If the both chambers of the legislature approve the measure, all paid appointees who are serving beyond their terms and so-called acting appointees would be out of their jobs. Those who are not paid would lose their positions after 30 days. The governor could reappoint anyone he chooses.
Temporary appointments made while the legislature is in recess would only last until the next time the Senate is in session. The bill would also end the practice of allowing so-called acting appointees to serve for months without going through the formal confirmation process. Appointments made under the “acting” category would last only 30 days. After that, the governor would have to nominate the individual for the position, and he or she would have to be approved by the Senate to remain in the job.
Cullerton said the measure “mirrors the Constitution,” and he hopes to pass the bill through the legislature as soon as possible.
The Senate also changed its rules to require that executive appointments be numbered and entered into the General Assembly’s website, so they can be tracked in the same way as legislation.
A spokesperson for Gov. Pat Quinn said the governor "applauds" Cullerton for trying to make the executive appointment process more transparent.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
3,000 jobs at stake
By Bethany Jaeger, with Jamey Dunn contributing
House Speaker Michael Madigan wants the “fumigation” of state government to move faster than it has since Gov. Pat Quinn replaced impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The speaker introduced legislation that would force Quinn to assess about 3,000 high-level state employees that had been hired or appointed by Blagojevich and his predecessor, imprisoned Gov. George Ryan.
“I’m not satisfied with the pace of change,” Madigan said during a Statehouse news conference today. “I think that we have to move faster, we have to move more dramatically.”
The concept has support from Quinn and Senate President John Cullerton, according to his spokeswoman, Rikeesha Phelon.
In fact, Quinn said he thinks it’s a good idea and that he expects it to pass. “It actually helps the process. I think it helps us to take boards and commissions where individuals are appointed to set terms that may not expire for years to come and give me an opportunity to evaluate those people who are appointed either by Rod Blagojevich or George Ryan, both of whom are under clouds of doubt.”
Quinn would have 60 days to reevaluate whether he wanted to retain state agency directors, their top assistants or board members or commissioners appointed by Ryan or Blagojevich. Quinn would be able to reappoint people he thought were doing a good job, but they would have to win Senate confirmation again. Employees also would be able to reapply for their positions.
Madigan said the action is not intended to impugn the integrity or the work habits of people who are doing a good job, but it is intended to be “rather dramatic.” “It clearly will be the type of fumigation of the Ryan and Blagojevich appointments that I think the people of the state of Illinois are demanding so that we can move away from the scandals of the past.”
About 90 of about 276 of the state’s boards and commissions would be affected. They include everything from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to universities' boards of trustees. Those not affected would include state employees who cannot be fired because of their political affiliations (based on the so-called Rutan provision from a 1990 U.S. Supreme Court decision).
A high-profile position affected by the proposal would include Ginger Ostro, director of the governor’s budget office under Blagojevich and, now, Quinn. Someone not affected would be Jack Lavin, Blagojevich’s director of the economic development agency, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Quinn appointed Lavin his chief operating officer, responsible for coordinating the state’s capture and use of federal stimulus funds. Also not affected by the legislation for now would be John Filan, Blagojevich’s former budget director and former chief operating officer. He currently serves as executive director the Illinois Finance Authority, created in 2004 by Blagojevich.
Although Filan would not be affected by his bill, Madigan said, “I’d like to come back at a later date on that.”
The bill would potentially fire two senior staff members of the Health Facilities Planning Board, Jeffrey Mark and David Carvalho, whom we wrote about earlier this week. Democrats defended the two employees, while House Minority Leader Tom Cross urged the need to fire them because they served before, during and after Blagojevich insiders corrupted the board. Cross tried in vain yesterday to advance his own legislation that would fire them.
Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno added, “It makes sense to take a look at people that were here during the times when we have had unprecedented problems.”
Madigan said he intends to advance the legislation next week. Lawmakers return May 12, which starts the end-of-session rush to approve major budget and ethics initiatives by May 31.
House Speaker Michael Madigan wants the “fumigation” of state government to move faster than it has since Gov. Pat Quinn replaced impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The speaker introduced legislation that would force Quinn to assess about 3,000 high-level state employees that had been hired or appointed by Blagojevich and his predecessor, imprisoned Gov. George Ryan.
“I’m not satisfied with the pace of change,” Madigan said during a Statehouse news conference today. “I think that we have to move faster, we have to move more dramatically.”
The concept has support from Quinn and Senate President John Cullerton, according to his spokeswoman, Rikeesha Phelon.
In fact, Quinn said he thinks it’s a good idea and that he expects it to pass. “It actually helps the process. I think it helps us to take boards and commissions where individuals are appointed to set terms that may not expire for years to come and give me an opportunity to evaluate those people who are appointed either by Rod Blagojevich or George Ryan, both of whom are under clouds of doubt.”
Quinn would have 60 days to reevaluate whether he wanted to retain state agency directors, their top assistants or board members or commissioners appointed by Ryan or Blagojevich. Quinn would be able to reappoint people he thought were doing a good job, but they would have to win Senate confirmation again. Employees also would be able to reapply for their positions.
Madigan said the action is not intended to impugn the integrity or the work habits of people who are doing a good job, but it is intended to be “rather dramatic.” “It clearly will be the type of fumigation of the Ryan and Blagojevich appointments that I think the people of the state of Illinois are demanding so that we can move away from the scandals of the past.”
About 90 of about 276 of the state’s boards and commissions would be affected. They include everything from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to universities' boards of trustees. Those not affected would include state employees who cannot be fired because of their political affiliations (based on the so-called Rutan provision from a 1990 U.S. Supreme Court decision).
A high-profile position affected by the proposal would include Ginger Ostro, director of the governor’s budget office under Blagojevich and, now, Quinn. Someone not affected would be Jack Lavin, Blagojevich’s director of the economic development agency, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Quinn appointed Lavin his chief operating officer, responsible for coordinating the state’s capture and use of federal stimulus funds. Also not affected by the legislation for now would be John Filan, Blagojevich’s former budget director and former chief operating officer. He currently serves as executive director the Illinois Finance Authority, created in 2004 by Blagojevich.
Although Filan would not be affected by his bill, Madigan said, “I’d like to come back at a later date on that.”
The bill would potentially fire two senior staff members of the Health Facilities Planning Board, Jeffrey Mark and David Carvalho, whom we wrote about earlier this week. Democrats defended the two employees, while House Minority Leader Tom Cross urged the need to fire them because they served before, during and after Blagojevich insiders corrupted the board. Cross tried in vain yesterday to advance his own legislation that would fire them.
Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno added, “It makes sense to take a look at people that were here during the times when we have had unprecedented problems.”
Madigan said he intends to advance the legislation next week. Lawmakers return May 12, which starts the end-of-session rush to approve major budget and ethics initiatives by May 31.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Quinn taps key Democratic negotiator
By Jamey Dunn
Gov. Pat Quinn named Rep. Gary Hannig, a Litchfield Democrat and a deputy majority leader for House Speaker Michael Madigan, as director of the Illinois Department of Transportation. He replaces former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s appointee, Milton Sees, who served in the position since 2007.
Hannig, an accountant, had been a state representative since 1979 and served as the chief budget negotiator for the Democratic Caucus. Quinn said Hannig has the experience, expertise and integrity to lead the department.
Kent Redfield, a political scientist at the University of Illinois at Springfield, described the move as a positive step for the Quinn administration, potentially improving rather strained relations between the executive and legislative branches as they prepare to negotiate a long-awaited capital plan and a spending plan for federal stimulus funds. As Madigan’s second in command, Hannig is well-known and well-liked in both houses and on both sides of the aisle, Redfield said. “He knows the issues. He’s widely respected, and very, very experienced.”
Hannig said this morning that communication suffered under the Blagojevich administration because promises repeatedly were made and broken. He said he thinks that a little trust could go a long way. “I know them [members of the General Assembly] by name, and they know me, and I am not going to lie to them,” Hannig said.
Hannig said he has been meeting with Christine Reed, chief engineer and director of the department’s Highway Division, to prepare for the job and for handling federal stimulus funds. Hannig said that he thinks they make a good team because while he has budgeting experience, she has the engineering expertise.
Gov. Pat Quinn named Rep. Gary Hannig, a Litchfield Democrat and a deputy majority leader for House Speaker Michael Madigan, as director of the Illinois Department of Transportation. He replaces former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s appointee, Milton Sees, who served in the position since 2007.
Hannig, an accountant, had been a state representative since 1979 and served as the chief budget negotiator for the Democratic Caucus. Quinn said Hannig has the experience, expertise and integrity to lead the department.
Kent Redfield, a political scientist at the University of Illinois at Springfield, described the move as a positive step for the Quinn administration, potentially improving rather strained relations between the executive and legislative branches as they prepare to negotiate a long-awaited capital plan and a spending plan for federal stimulus funds. As Madigan’s second in command, Hannig is well-known and well-liked in both houses and on both sides of the aisle, Redfield said. “He knows the issues. He’s widely respected, and very, very experienced.”
Hannig said this morning that communication suffered under the Blagojevich administration because promises repeatedly were made and broken. He said he thinks that a little trust could go a long way. “I know them [members of the General Assembly] by name, and they know me, and I am not going to lie to them,” Hannig said.
Hannig said he has been meeting with Christine Reed, chief engineer and director of the department’s Highway Division, to prepare for the job and for handling federal stimulus funds. Hannig said that he thinks they make a good team because while he has budgeting experience, she has the engineering expertise.
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