* I’m told the governor now has the votes to make this happen…
Gov. Pat Quinn’s former campaign manager has decided to pursue overtures to become executive director of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, setting the stage for a lame-duck maneuver that could rankle Mayor Rahm Emanuel and tie the hands of Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner.
Aides to the governor had insisted Friday that Lou Bertuca was not interested in replacing Kelly Kraft as head of the state agency that built U.S. Cellular Field and rebuilt Soldier Field.
They confirmed a report by Chicago Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed that Bertuca had been approached about the job by the governor’s appointees to the board. But, the sources insisted that Bertuca was not interested.
Over the weekend, Bertuca apparently had a change of heart and decided to interview for the job. Unless one of Quinn’s four appointees to the seven-member board jumps ship, Bertuca is likely to have the votes to win the coveted job.
* Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner was not pleased…
Asked if there was anything he could do to reverse the move once he was in office, Rauner said: “I hope so.”
I don’t think there’s much he can do.
*** UPDATE 1 *** It’s now a done deal…
Gov. Pat Quinn’s former campaign manager was hired as executive director of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority on Monday.
In a 4-3 vote during a meeting at U.S. Cellular Field, the board gave a two-year contract to Lou Bertuca.
*** UPDATE 2 *** It didn’t go well…
The decision drew outrage from the three ISFA board members appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. They blasted board Chairman Emil Jones for hiring Bertuca without a search process.
“We think the taxpayers of the state of Illinois are due a transparent process in how we select the executive director,” board member Jim Reynolds, Loop Capital CEO, said at the meeting. “That’s not what happened today.” […]
Jones argued that the board’s statute does not require a national search for a candidate, but Mesirow Financial Holdings Chairman Richard Price and longtime bank executive Norm Bobins joined Reynolds in staunch opposition to the way the hiring was done.
“Whether the law says you do a national search or not, I think just going with the government’s assistant isn’t much of a search,” Bobins said during the meeting.
Oof.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 12:56 pm:
Political leaders like to tout the glories of the merit system, but seem to quickly embrace the spoils system when they go lame duck.
Its what happens. Tough noogies Bruce.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 12:58 pm:
They’re not booing, they’re yelling “Looooouuuuu.”
- A guy... - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 1:06 pm:
Place this in the category of: He’s Governor until he’s not Governor. If the idea really did originate among the appointees of the Governor, and they really wanted him, that’s a board taking some action. The others can be replaced as their terms come up. A lot of stars had to line up right for this to work. Wish Lou the best. He’s a good guy.
- Demoralized - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 1:10 pm:
==He’s Governor until he’s not Governor.==
Exactly. Put it in that pile and move on. While I’m sure it ticks Rauner off he’s got a lot more to worry about than who gets appointed to head the ISFA.
- Arizona Bob - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 1:10 pm:
Interesting that one of Quinn’s last offical acts in politics will be supporting patronage over merit for a very inportant post.
Didn’t he start out as “patronage chief” for “Walkin’ Dan” Walker?
Very symmetrical politcal career for Patrick….
- Frenchie Mendoza - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 1:11 pm:
Rauner — come on, you’ll do the same exact — the *same exact* thing — when your term is about to expire and next gov-elect is about to take over.
Don’t act so surprised. You certainly won’t be surprised when you do it four years from now.
- cassiopeia - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 1:12 pm:
Quinn has 35 more days of semi-relevancy. Then he will be but a memory as will most of his directors and other exempt staff.
Unlike others who have left after defeat those who came in with Quinn will have served one of the more failed administrations in recent memory.
- CircularFiringSquad - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 1:13 pm:
Good for Lou….just what the Sox need to really turn it around
Mitt probably did not have his own pick anyway, plus his investment partners represent a big conflict on this one
And we did not hear him ask PQ not do anything “big” just the legis right?
- too obvious - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 1:22 pm:
It’s time for Rauner to stop crying about Quinn and the state of the state and come up with some specific plans for once.
- Michelle Flaherty - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 1:26 pm:
Why is Kelly Kraft being replaced?
- Anyone Remember - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 1:27 pm:
Arizona Bob -
Where were you when Ryan shortened the probation period to one month in 2002?
- x-pol - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 1:29 pm:
This does not bode well for any of the lower ranking exempts (non-directors) who where trying mightily for an extension on their service. Quinn and Lou just killed those chances.
- Cassandra - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 1:35 pm:
Two years is an awfully short time in politics. And maybe this appointee will turn out to be a good choice for Illinois, which is what’s important here. And let me say, I know nothing about him-whether he is a “good guy” or not.
Rauner should be more concerned about the Quinn appointees who are burrowing into the state civil service bureaucracy as we speak, making it difficult if not impossible to uproot them, not for two years, but for life. How many? Which agencies? Not to mention promotions and other personnel transactions.
I hope Rauner’s personnel chief is a quick study.
- Yowch - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 1:35 pm:
If you can make it to the end of the Sun-Times story, there’s a helluva closing line:
“His only experience in the field of sports is the four years he spent playing football for Lake Forest College.”
- Bill Baar - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 1:39 pm:
How’s Quinn’s last appointment Kelly Kraft worked out?
- Statesman - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 1:40 pm:
Prepare for a few more of these F#%$ You’s to Rahm , Rauner and the rest. Without a Quinnback, he is one bitter Irishman!
- Agricola - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 1:41 pm:
I think that there could be a “late term appointee” issue with this appointment:
(5 ILCS 420/3A-5)
Sec. 3A-5. Definitions. As used in this Article:
“Late term appointee” means a person who is appointed to an office by a Governor who does not succeed himself or herself as Governor, whose appointment requires the advice and consent of the Senate, and whose appointment is confirmed by the Senate 90 or fewer days before the end of the appointing Governor’s term.
“Succeeding Governor” means the Governor in office immediately after a Governor who appoints a late term appointee.
(Source: P.A. 93-615, eff. 11-19-03.)
So, if the Senate were to act to confirm this appointment before the end of Quinn’s term (which ends on January 12, 2015), this would make the appointee a late term appointee. Which would mean:
(5 ILCS 420/3A-10)
Sec. 3A-10. Late term appointee’s term of office. A late term appointee shall serve no longer than the sixtieth day of the term of office of the succeeding Governor.
(Source: P.A. 93-615, eff. 11-19-03.)
On day 60 of Rauner’s term, the late term appointee would be out of office.
However, if the Senate waited until Rauner was sworn into office to confirm this appointment, then the late term appointee problem would go away, and the appointee could serve the entire term.
Of course, once Rauner is sworn in, as Governor he will have the ability to withdraw the nomination should he choose to do so.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 1:43 pm:
Agricola, the governor had no official appointment power here.
- Not Rich - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 1:46 pm:
Bruce should not make an issue of this. Tis’ a sitting Governor’s prerogative. His time will come too.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 1:48 pm:
- Agricola -,
===Gov. Pat Quinn’s former campaign manager was hired as executive director of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority on Monday.
In a 4-3 vote during a meeting at U.S. Cellular Field, the board gave a two-year contract to Lou Bertuca.===
This isn’t the governor, it “appears” that the board took it upon itself to vote and grant a contract.
Anf guess what, a sitting governor can nudge his appointees to s board to act. He’s still governor, right up to when he’s not.
- Agricola - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 1:49 pm:
Rich,
Oops! I misunderstood this to be one of the Governor’s appointments. Thanks for the fact check!
- Soccermom - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 2:00 pm:
Well, color me surprised. But I’m happy that Lou has a good job.
- Western Ave. Doug - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 2:03 pm:
I guess it still pays to be from the neighborhood in Chicago.
- A guy... - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 2:09 pm:
=== Soccermom - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 2:00 pm:
Well, color me surprised. But I’m happy that Lou has a good job.====
Ditto….and I’m still smitten. Apparently many are.
- Michelle Flaherty - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 2:19 pm:
This is exactly the kind of process the Pat Collins/Pat Quinn commission demanded.
- Jaded - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 2:32 pm:
Rauner and Rahm could move legislation to re-constitute the Illinois Sports Authority and then the new board could dump the contract. They would need the GA to comply, but that is what Blago did to get rid of all of GHR’s late term appointees. Of course Rod had a friendly GA, but if Bertucca is not well like by Dem legislators, it could happen. I’m not saying it will happen, but that is how is could happen.
- Rhino Slider - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 2:55 pm:
Rauner could defund the Sports Authority, for example demand a 20% cut in revenue or something punitive that may cause others to lose their jobs.
- Been There - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 3:27 pm:
=== those who came in with Quinn will have served one of the more failed administrations in recent memory===
Cassiopeia, you really have a short memory.
- old elephant - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 3:31 pm:
As others point out, this could be undone by the legislature changing the law. Gives Madigan and Cullerton a bargaining chip with the new Governor. Remember that this was traditionally a Mayoral appointment anyway. Could be an opportunity to give it back to the Mayor and send Quinn a parting message.
- DuPage Moderate - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 3:31 pm:
At least the facade that Quinn attempted to portray for the last 6 years and a clean-cut reformer has finally been exposed by his own actions.
- Juvenal - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 3:52 pm:
It is amazing what Quinn can manage when it is important to him.
- 19th Warder - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 3:53 pm:
Lou should have thought twice about this. When it was Rahm that was mad over Kelly Kraft nothing he could do to hurt her. When you work for the state and the new Gov isnt happy with you now that is a different story. lou isnt use to punching in and out of work, he best get use to it very quick…….
- Been There - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 4:05 pm:
===. lou isnt use to punching in and out of work, he best get use to it very quick…….====
A pretty hefty paycheck and a nice skybox for 81 Sox games. I could get use to punching in and out.
- dawn - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 4:13 pm:
19th warder has a point. He is going to have mayoral and guv administrations on his back like white on rice. And Rahm doesnt quit! Not sure it will be worth it, even if it does last.
- One nice thing - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 4:20 pm:
Bertuca won’t have to worry about failing to measure up to the stellar performance of K2D2.
- Louis G Atsaves - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 4:20 pm:
Maybe it is time to find the Sports Authority to have served its purpose and begin phasing it out? Other than expanding its wings and trying to add additional venues, it would seem that most of their original purpose is at an end.
- walker - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 4:23 pm:
Emil Jones did Quinn a solid, and skipped an ordinary search?
Nothing remotely illegal here, but looking worse than I thought.
Just how important is this board? It should be more than just a political tool, for or against Rahm or Rauner.
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 4:30 pm:
== They blasted board Chairman Emil Jones for hiring Bertuca without a search process. ==
They have a point.
- sal-says - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 4:32 pm:
== It didn’t go well… ==
This from the folks? With Kelly Kraph Kraft’s resume?
- A guy... - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 4:33 pm:
Or, this will just go back to being an agency that does it’s job and no one talks about it most the time. That’s my guess.
- Georg Sande - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 4:56 pm:
This is the only place where this appointment process could ever be understood and defended.
- Soccermom - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 5:06 pm:
Walker — you raise an interesting point.
The ISFA was set up, at least in principle, to advocate for taxpayers’ interest in the Cell and Soldier Field.
Perri Irmer was in charge of ISFA operations from 2004 to 2011. Early in her tenure she recognized that the White Sox stadium agreement with the ISFA and state of Illinois was “abusive to taxpayers.” And so she sought to reduce costs of ballpark management, earn more revenue for the state at US Cellular Field from events such as concerts, develop public land around the park, and make White Sox games more accessible to its South Side neighbors. Reinsdorf was not amused, especially when she fought against additional public funds being diverted to the Sox. (For example, she opposed the 2010 Bacardi at the Park agreement, which gave Reinsdorf state money to build a restaurant outside of US Cellular Field AND all the revenues generated from the restaurant.) Irmer didn’t get much traction when she tried to raise her concerns to the Governor’s office. She she set up a meeting with the Mayor, but the ISFA board terminated contract before she had a chance to talk to him.
So the answer is — it ought to be an important post, but it hasn’t done much for us taxpayers lately….
http://www.chicagosportandsociety.com/tag/perri-irmer/
- Amalia - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 5:14 pm:
Board Chairman Emil Jones…that’s all you have to know.
- Amalia - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 5:22 pm:
Board of Directors, I believe this is the current list…..Norman Bobins, Dennis Gannon, Elzie Higginbottom, Jim Reynolds, Richard Price, Dr. Quentin Young, and chair Emil Jones.
if this is the current list, what’s wrong with this list? ok, besides the usual pol things?
No women. seriously guys…Quinn and Emanuel….women are interested in sports and perfectly capable of making decisions financial and otherwise on the business of sports. there is a piece on their web site regarding diversity. the governor and the mayor should start by diversifying the board. 50% women. every new appointment should be a woman from now until you get to 50% women on the board.
- Soccermom - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 5:24 pm:
Amalia — Let’s also note that this is not a “sports” board; it’s a fiscal watchdog board. It should be, um, “manned” by people who understand fiscal policy and who care about the taxpayers’ best interests. And gender has nothing to do with that.
- Jay Cutlers Replacement - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 5:25 pm:
Pat Quinn is very very bitter. If it’s true that Lou wasn’t sure if he wanted it then changed his mind, Quinn convinced him. He is a young and smart guy and this isn’t a smart move in my opinion. To have both the Mayor and Govenor gunning for you isn’t worth it. At his age make friends don’t burn bridges.
19th warder is spot on……….
- Pese - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 5:36 pm:
Glad PQ showed his true colors. Classic that it is Emil Jones who carries it out for him. Reformer… hahaha.
- Amalia - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 5:36 pm:
@Soccermom, yup. the business of sports is often clouded by the sports part as something that is of no concern to women. which is really nutty considering that pro sports (and the NRA for that matter) are falling all over themselves turning team related apparel pink and glittery. to divert our eyes from the dollar signs, I guess.
- Jay Cutlers Replacement - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 5:47 pm:
How did Gannon vote does anyone know? If for this then Rauner more then ever will be upset with labor, and not a smart move.
- Looping - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 6:09 pm:
Lou is too dumb to get a job on his own so this had to be done. Last thing we need is another Fenwick friar unemployed.
- Soccermom - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 6:22 pm:
JCR — Mr. Gannon is retired, so I don’t think the unions will wear the jacket on this.
- Precinct Captain - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 6:29 pm:
Lots of bitter meanie weanies here. How would you abolish the ISFA folks oversee U.S. Cellular Field, owned in whole by taxpayers? Do you know what would legally happen to the bonds? What is your plan?
- Jay Cutlers Replacement - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 7:00 pm:
You can bet Lou will be working under a whole different set of rules then Kelly Kraft was. Such as working everyday and being monitored by the Gov to be hand picked watch dog.
Lou won’t last 6 months before he cuts a deal for a different gig , you can bet the farm on that
- Troubling - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 7:12 pm:
Stay classy gov
- Wordslinger - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 9:11 pm:
Don’t care. Jerry runs the show. ISFA is a joke.
Once you’ve accepted that the Sox needed taxpayer welfare to build the worst stadium in baseball, aren’t you exhausted?
What’s with Jerry and Kenny? Are you kidding me?
Kenny built the only Chicago Series winner in 200 baseball seasons.
It wasn’t Ozziie, it wasn’t Jerry
. If was Kenny.
- A guy - Tuesday, Dec 9, 14 @ 7:34 am:
=== build the worst stadium in baseball===
I’ve been to nearly all of them Sling. This statement isn’t even remotely close to true. On the other side of your cynical coin, the same owner worked to privately finance another stadium, brought 6 championships in one sport and helped the other tenant with the ability to bring two Stanley Cups lately. I’d say he’s been pretty good overall for Chicago Sports. And you like to be judgemental on results. That’s as good as this city has ever had it.
I love going to the Cell (still call it Commiskey though) Great ingress, egress, comfortable, great food, outstanding sight lines, great place to watch baseball.
- A guy - Tuesday, Dec 9, 14 @ 7:36 am:
===Looping - Monday, Dec 8, 14 @ 6:09 pm:
Lou is too dumb to get a job on his own so this had to be done. Last thing we need is another Fenwick friar unemployed.====
Wrong and mean-spirited. Bet you’re fun at parties. We’ll probably never know.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Dec 9, 14 @ 7:51 am:
A guy, don’t think for a minute that the UC was entirely “privately financed.” They received and still receive hefty tax breaks plus free land from the city.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Dec 9, 14 @ 8:31 am:
@ A Guy….oh my, I agree with A Guy! walking around the stadium on level 100 while watching the game is one of my favorite things to do. the place…and, yes, I still go old school with the name often…is just great. It is so much better than the rep! Go Sox!
- The Colossus of Roads - Tuesday, Dec 9, 14 @ 9:32 am:
There are a lot of “good” people that can’t get a job, let alone get one of this magnitude. Why can’t Emil Jones just fade into the sunset?
- A guy... - Tuesday, Dec 9, 14 @ 10:45 am:
Amalia, honest people can disagree….and agree. Baseball can be a cure-all for philosophically opposite persons. Glad to be on your good side for a spell sister.
47, by today’s definition, the UC was privately funded. There were plenty of infrastructure needs that the public paid for, but if you compare what nearly every other major league city does to gain or maintain a franchise, this one did very little by comparison. You can whistle all day brother, the UC was privately financed. Period.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Dec 9, 14 @ 10:49 am:
I think we can all agree that Pat Quinn now loses his right, whatever he does in the future, to complain about cronyism and patronage in government. Don’t want to hear him on the subject, ever, ever again.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Dec 9, 14 @ 11:01 am:
@ A Guy, how about those two signings from yesterday?!? pitching soothes all ills in baseball. White Sox forever baby!