Rauner appointment rollout begins this weekend
Thursday, Jan 8, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Jim Dey has the scoop…
Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner has promised to “shake up Springfield” so many times, people are probably getting tired of what has become a political cliche that means attacking the state’s corrupt status quo.
But what does it mean? If it’s just a change in political parties — from Democrat to Republican — people are going to be disappointed. Republicans, after all, made significant contributions to Illinois’ current debased state. […]
Press secretary Mike Schrimpf said Wednesday that the public “will see a rollout of announcements (about appointees) this weekend.”
“I think you will be seeing a fair number of private-sector folks, some people from outside Illinois and some people from Illinois with government experience,” Schrimpf said.
He noted that it’s important to bring in people with institutional knowledge and understanding of state government as well as outsiders with big ideas.
Any predictions?
- Del Clinkton - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:33 am:
Toss in $20 million to buy some votes and you really “Shake Up Springfield”.
Guess we’re living in the state of Henry F. Potter!
- Ghost - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:33 am:
I must admit the institutional knowledge drain has been a fear of mine. Too many new people and you reach a point where they do not know what they do not know. I also fear that lack of institutional knowledge will be filled in by cms; the last place to go for help dealing with our many broken systems. Fox to guard the chicken house kind of thing
- Knome Sane - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:36 am:
I predict that Rocco J. Claps, Director of the Dept. on Human Rights will be retained. He is a great guy and deserves to continue to lead that office, which is tightly run on a shoe-string budget.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:37 am:
==I think you will be seeing a fair number of private-sector folks, some people from outside Illinois==
Those people better: a. be quick studies, or; b) hire good advisers who have experience in Illinois state government. If not they are destined to fail.
- Ghost - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:38 am:
No predictions, but if it was me i would hire barton to be the gov’s head press person.
- walker - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:40 am:
All true Mr. Schrimpf. Best wishes to you and the team.
But what Rauner promised to bring, that other candidates likely wouldn’t, were those “experts” from the private sector, with little political experience or ambition. There should be a good number of them.
Out-of-staters should be few and far between, and have specific required technical expertise.
Look forward to seeing the names. Meet the expectations your candidate raised, and you all should be praised.
- spi_chi - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:41 am:
Claps stays but that is about it. Whitley will be DCEO. Cross will be HPA. Quite a few outsiders that we don’t know.
- Algonquin J. Calhoun - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:41 am:
I’m a PSA at IEPA, and predict, unfortunately, Rauner will keep Director Lisa Bonnett, who will protect and promote herself and her cronies at the expense of the environment.
- Not it - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:42 am:
Edgar as U of I President
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:43 am:
===I predict that Rocco J. Claps, Director of the Dept. on Human Rights will be retained===
The social media push for Rocco has been impressive. But I dunno if it’ll work.
- historic66 - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:44 am:
- Not it - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:42 am:
Since when does the governor get to appoint university presidents?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:49 am:
For me?
Who is handling the Execute Legislative Liaison spots for the Chambers…what will the fully staffed Press Shop look like?
If Rauner can’t get his agenda through the General Assembly and seen a partner, both in truth…and… in the Press, handling the delicate balance of attack abd compromise…then any appointment, large or small, big splash or tiny ripple, will just be that, an appointment.
Those staffing positions, under Mike Z, are the most important, especially in these first 6 months.
I am most “curious” as to how Rauner will have “floor leaders” in each Chamber, AND the $20 million dollars, AND, the possibilities of a Raunerite Caucus in each Chambet fueled by that $20 million.
Director of the State Lottery? (Yawn, except to the nominee and family, I guess…)
Nope.
Agenda. Who will get it through, and how, and how it’s presented to the Press…now you have my attention.
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:50 am:
–Since when does the governor get to appoint university presidents?–
They don’t. The Board of Trustees hires the President. And they just hired a new one who hasn’t assumed the post yet.
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:52 am:
Have no idea who will go where, but I hope they understand you better get those agency legislative directors in place right now.
Those agencies will be in front of committees real quick and they will be expected to have positions on bills in committee. Team Rauner, the legislative process waits for no one, not even you.
- How Ironic - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:55 am:
In a move to be seen as both shocking, and ’shaking’ Rauner will replace the current Dept of Ag, and instead privatize it to a wing of corporate giant Monsanto.
Weights and measures (a piece of Ag) will be folded into Weight Watchers, as ‘cutting the fat’ will be a department mantra.
- Not it - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:59 am:
I meant Chairman, sorry….the person to replace Kennedy.
- northernwatersports - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:01 am:
Roll out the announcement on the weekend? Is that like the old Friday night news dump? If they really thought that their ‘Shake ‘em up’ theme was sincere, they’d try Monday and get the most news coverage about their appointments. Seems to me that they’re avoiding some criticism.
- 4 percent - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:05 am:
Whitley is not getting DCEO.
Cross - Toll Highway Authority
- CircularFiringSquad - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:06 am:
Nothing says shake it up like naming a donor/election “runner-up” as a first appointment.
Should be , as the late Steve Neal would say, a lot of fun.
- Ghost - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:07 am:
4 percent i heard the cross for toll highway as well….
- EPA Retiree - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:11 am:
=I’m a PSA at IEPA, and predict, unfortunately, Rauner will keep Director Lisa Bonnett, who will protect and promote herself and her cronies at the expense of the environment.=
1) You obviously have no clue what you are talking about and have an ax to grind.
2) Shouldn’t you be busy protecting the environment instead of posting on work time?
- metro east transplant - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:12 am:
I’ve heard Cross tossed around for Tollway as well. There have been so many IDOT names tossed around, I’ve forgotten more than I can remember.
- Knome Sane - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:15 am:
=The social media push for Rocco has been impressive. But I dunno if it’ll work=
I suspect there is an inherent risk for executing a social media/PR plan to keep ones job. Even if that effort was organic, there is a potential downside for pushing too hard.
But, the office is probably the least controversial of all the state agencies and he has done a good job. I read somewhere recently that Director Claps received an award from Motorola or the Civic Federation (something like that) for “outstanding public service”.
When you say, “I dunno if it’ll work”, have you heard his re-appointment is in jeopardy?
- annoyed - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:22 am:
all of this is gossip - none of you actually know
- State Worker - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:24 am:
Oswego Willy….. As for the Director of the State Lottery, Jones has told his staff that he is not going anywhere. It has hosted that Rauner likes his cockness. Jones has plenty of time to write himself into the PMA (private management agreement). Get this… Jones moved his chief of staff - Sara Barnett into the a Northstar transition team ( 3 year contract and 13% raise). Politics as usual at the Lottery. Shake it up Uncle Bruce!
- Algonquin J. Calhoun - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:24 am:
EPA Retiree - I know a hell of a lot about it. Who are you? Former pal? I’m also not at work today, so bite me.
- Knome Sane - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:25 am:
@annoyed
=all of this is gossip - none of you actually know=
Rich asked for predicitons. Jeesh.
- lil enchilada - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:31 am:
Nothing will change except it will be Republicans appointed as opposed to Democrats. Same old…
- GA Watcher - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:31 am:
Senator Karen McConnaughay to be IDOT Secretary.
- Todd - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:34 am:
The way they have kept it queit is second only to SCOTUS decisions. Our CIA could take notes from what they have done.
And the fact that they maybe releasing some of this over the weekend, isn’t so much like the friday afternoon as most administrations would be having press conferacne afer press conferance and roll outs.
I believe this is the begining of a different type of operation. very calculating, not just a splash and any news is good news type of operation.
- Paul Lynde for the Block - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:35 am:
Much to my disappointment, Senator Karen McConnaughey will NOT be IDOT Secretary.
Jil Tracy will get — and deserves — a plum post.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:38 am:
- State Worker -
Reading comprehension isn’t your strong suit. I hope you work with numbers, lol
The point I was making, which went ridiculously over your head was…any appointmemt, “Director of the Lottery” for example, I don’t care.
I could have chosen ANY Director.
Try reading, then comprehending.
- 11th warder - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:38 am:
Tollway can’t be announced till the board removes Kristi then appoints Cross. So that won’t happen till Rauner makes his appointments to the board .
- Langhorne - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:39 am:
i want to see quality appointments, whether from business or government, instate or out of state. knowledgeable, sensible, hard working people who will treat employees with respect. and follow the law.
the next step will be figuring out what rauners game plan is–slash and burn, cut programs willy nilly, who knows? any appointee should have an idea of what they will be expected to implement before taking a job.
morale is lousy and people are afraid. it is hard to serve people well that way.
- Rod - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:42 am:
If Tom Cross takes over the Toll Authority then he will have to agree to expose the agency and corruption within it. Rauner being a follower of Mitch Daniels will likely want to build support for privatization of the Toll Roads in order to realize quick cash. The best way to do that will be to emphasize the corruption at the Toll Authority, is Cross up to that task?
I have a hard time believing that given the number of appointments Rauner will be able to make to the Illinois State Board of Education that Chris Koch will survive. Rauner will be looking for someone who is explictly pro-charter and pro-voucher, Roger Eddy clearly will not fill that bill and I have no idea who that could be.
Like Daniels, Rauner will use the Office of Management and Budget to look for inefficiencies and cost savings throughout state government. Those that can be adopted by executive authority will be done so rapidly I suspect.
Who ever takes over Human Services will have to agree to something in the neighborhood of 30% cuts to programs that do cause loss of federal funds or are not under court orders.
- walker - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:43 am:
Todd: Very smart observation.
You must be frustrated that even you can’t find anything out. (chuckling)
- Bogey Golfer - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:45 am:
@11 warder: Cross would be replacing Paula Wolff as Board Chair, not as Executive Director. I had also heard Bob Schillerstrom was being considered.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:48 am:
IBHE has lost two recent Executive Directors to ethics scandals and things aren’t looking any better for the agency right now. The YOUNG woman appointed to be Chairwoman, who also therefore chairs SURS, has not been confirmed. There is an agency ripe for shaking up.
- Snucka - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:50 am:
Whitley no longer lives in Illinois.
- Rosemont Bob - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:51 am:
Skipper been saying for a month that his guy Cross would get either Comptroller or Highway . So that’s a done deal it looks like
- EPA Retiree - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:54 am:
@ Algonquin J. Calhoun 11:24 am
=Who are you?=
You go first.
- Mattman - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:56 am:
Duane Noland for Department of Agriculture
- walker - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:57 am:
@Rod: Sure hope you’re correct that his model would be Mitch Daniels, and not Scott Walker. (despite what he said about his hero Walker during the campaign.) Daniels has some solid achievements.
Following Daniels can only work so far, because Indiana has neither the scope of challenges, nor the assets of Illinois. By comparison, they’re a triple-A ball club. Still much better than the frightful fraud to the north.
Daniels also completed the movement of DCEO-type activities to public-private partnerships, with the power mostly in the hands of big Indiana corporations. We shall see how far Rauner wants to go in that direction.
- okgo - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 12:00 pm:
The entire Republican caucuses have been gunning for these pay and pension bumps for months. Too bad Rauner needs their votes!
- State Worker - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 12:00 pm:
Oswego Willy…. Glad I work with number. I am the one that approves your invoices (lol).
- Bibe - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 12:03 pm:
I’m surprised Oswego Willy thinks it’s more important what a Governor does in pursuing a legislative agenda than in administering the Executive Branch. I think that’s part of the problem with what we look for in Executive office candidates. We don’t put nearly enough emphasis on administrative and management skills which is 99% of the decisions they make. Especially with the current leadership in the legislature, if he is going to shake things up, his only way to do that is through the people he brings in to run agencies and choices he makes on the ground in terms of contracting, hiring, priorities and lay-offs.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 12:04 pm:
- State Worker -
(Gulp)…
If you are, only my Mom calls me “Bill”, can you fix it to “Willy”, two “L”s and a “Y”. Thanks.
- Downstate GOP Faithless - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 12:04 pm:
I know of only 2 Directors who and 3 GC’S who didn’t get letters. That’s not anything important other than it means 2 Directors likely survive thru session. There’s also apparently a list going around of 200 to 300 staffers who are “must terminiate.” To be clear that’s not a bad thing, it’s just a bad name for the list.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 12:05 pm:
“Duane Noland for Department of Agriculture”
Completely agree that he would be the best choice by far. Amazing, intelligent guy.
- Bibe - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 12:07 pm:
@EPA Retiree
Hopefully your comment means you predict Lisa Bonnett is out and I hope you are right.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 12:12 pm:
- Bibe -,
Very fair point. Well said.
Rauner ran on an “agenda” of ambiguity.
The agency heads need to be competent and follow their missions and serve the people abilly and do it well for the people of Illinois. I get that.
Having able cabinet appointments won’t move an agenda, it won’t move the Press either.
Bad agency heads, bad agency moves get Press.
The Rauner Administration is going to be judged in the first six months on; Budget passed, Legislative agenda passed, and Press received by both.
That is my tact.
The Rauner Agenda is going to be measured by his first budget, and first legislative session, thus those priorities.
With respect, hope that helps.
- Watcher - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 12:14 pm:
IDOT Sec will be an engineer
- State Worker - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 12:18 pm:
- Oswego Willy- geeez, give me a break. I am trying to participate from the bathroom stall. Oh no…. I flushed your response.
- Leprechaun - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 12:32 pm:
Downstate GOP faithless who were the survivors?
- Let'sMovetoTexas - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 12:45 pm:
These department head positions are not ‘plum posts’. Lousy pay for any successful person, long hours, much grief, and much time in Springfield. It’s a sacrifice for a successful professional.
- Anon. - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 12:46 pm:
==Whitley no longer lives in Illinois.==
“no longer”?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 12:47 pm:
- State Worker -,
I have no response to that.
- Put the Fun in unfunded - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 12:53 pm:
Speaking of people who no longer live in Illinois how about Paul Vallas? A bipartisan choice and he supports charters?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 12:56 pm:
===Speaking of people who no longer live in Illinois how about Paul Vallas? ===
PV’s residence is in Illinois.
I actually had drinks with him in New Orleans last week. He’s back at his company. No serious interest in a Rauner appointment.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 12:57 pm:
Also, he’s not a default charter supporter like Rauner.
- objectional observer - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 12:59 pm:
Cross, JD, SS and the Stephens crew have been quietly telling folks they have the Toll Authority locked down for several weeks now!
So no news flash there.
who has the inside angle on CMS?
- Mama - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:09 pm:
Will the BHE and the SBE consolidate with Chris Koch as the head of both?
- Demoralized - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:10 pm:
I think a few of you need to get a life with your bashing of some of the current directors. You clearly have axes to grind against some of these individuals. I think your vitriol against them says a lot more about you than it does about them.
- low level - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:10 pm:
Prediction: private sector guys come in & fail to realize there is no profit in government. No bonus for laying off workers or shipping jobs overseas. They get annoyed.
- low level - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:20 pm:
Private sector guys are slow to realize that GRF does not mean “get rich fast”
- Knome Sane - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:20 pm:
If DOA merges with DOC and the prisoners went AWOL, would the CoS become MIA and require help from DPS or DHS?
- Anon - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:25 pm:
Sen. Syverson for IL Dept. of Insurance. This makes room for Rep. Sosnowski, an early supporter of Rauner, to move to the upper chamber.
- Millie K. - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:26 pm:
As long as he gets rid of every appointed person in DHS some of us will be VERY happy….maybe he can appoint someone with common sense, and someone who is concerned about the disabled and not just their own political agenda and wallets!
- Montrose - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:28 pm:
I think a bunch of us will be googling names for a good portion of the appointees. We are going to see a lot of faces new to Illinois government.
- Skeptic - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:33 pm:
Knome Sane: Does that mean Rauner needs to appoint a CEO or TLAs?
- flea - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:38 pm:
Duane Noland would be an honorable Director at AG. He would be nuts to take that job over the one he currently has.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:38 pm:
I was happy to find out our director at the ICC is going to stay.
- Chris - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:42 pm:
“Rauner will replace the current Dept of Ag, and instead privatize it to a wing of corporate giant Monsanto.”
Just like the VC days–outsourcing the jobs (to Missouri).
If he really believed in Illinois, he’d give it to ADM.
- Knome Sane - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:44 pm:
=I was happy to find out our director at the ICC is going to stay.=
Whom might that be?
- Ralph - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:48 pm:
Meeks as ISBE Chairman
- Dupage Scott - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:04 pm:
Cross will get tollways for sure. Nancy Kimme pushing hard and that’s all it should take. Got this info from a Cross Staffer. Tom is well deserving.
- anon - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:06 pm:
I’m sure all those highly experienced private sector workers are just chomping at the bit to take a State job with a huge cut in pay and Tier II pension benefits.
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:13 pm:
I wonder if those talking about hoping everyone at DHS or other departments are fired, have ever held any type of leadership positions in their lives. I suspect not.
- Yatzi - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:17 pm:
Dear Millie K - you paint with a broad brush - not all SPSA’s are political - some have long professional careers prior to the states request that they come to work for them - I would hope that evaluation takes into account a persons skills, knowledge, and ability - including legislative calendars , the 102 counties (been to all of them) etc.
- Paul Lynde for the Block - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:29 pm:
Everyone seems to be hearing that CMS gets completely revamped.
- WOW - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:35 pm:
Dpt. of Agriculture Director will go to Len Corzine, active farmer and Ag activist.
- Rod - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:35 pm:
Ralph I could see Meeks as ISBE chair, but if he voted in the Republican primary that could be a problem. Because under state law two of the appointments have to be Democrats and two Republicans. There is also a vacant seat and I don’t recall if it was a Republican or Democratic seat.
I suspect Mr. Rauner has a long list of Republicans for this slot, but if Meeks voted in the Democratic primary he would be the perfect democratic appointment for Governor Rauner. I know he supported Rauner, but I don’t recall if it was before or after the primary. By state law relating to ISBE its the primary vote that defines one as a Democrat or Republican.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:39 pm:
The Executive director
- 1776 - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:44 pm:
Chris Reed at IDOT
- Last chance for love - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:02 pm:
Kristi Lafluer was NOT pink slipped at Toll Way yesterday . People working their say she believes that Paula Wolf has saved her job as executive director
- Six Degrees of Separation - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:05 pm:
I have heard Chris Reed’s name also, and that it “won’t be someone from Kane County”. I guess Chris would retain the rights to her Tier 1 pension for her previous service (but not be able to draw it while employed) and be eligible for a less lucrative Tier 2 pension for her new term, and would probably be taking a financial hit from her private sector job to return to IDOT if it happens. This is a trade many wouldn’t take, and means she’d really want to do it out of a sense of public service.
- CFI - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:21 pm:
There are a lot of good people at IEPA, in my opinion. I’d be ok with all of them staying, including Lisa Bonnett and John Kim. If Rauner has someone else in mind, I’m certainly curious to see who it is.
- Another retiree - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:23 pm:
To - EPA Retiree, Algonquin J. Calhoun and other related commenters. The comment that Ms. Bonnett is loyal only to herself and her cronies is spot on. She is considered by many (current an former employees) to be the worst director the agency has had in its 40 plus years. This is not a personal comment, but one made out of concern for the integrity of the agency.
- - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:41 am:
I’m a PSA at IEPA, and predict, unfortunately, Rauner will keep Director Lisa Bonnett, who will protect and promote herself and her cronies at the expense of the environment.
- Bored Chairman - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:28 pm:
If Lafleur stays there will be a lot of upset Rauner supporters.
- no one important - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:43 pm:
Mary Shabazian for DCFS Head. She seemed to have the ACLU seal of approval yesterday.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:46 pm:
Smart move is lots of best supporting actor nominees but no superstars or aspiring stars.
Jim Collins advises in Good to Great that if you want to identify great leaders, look for organizations delivering outstanding results where no one is clamoring for credit.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 4:00 pm:
I predict all Legislative Liaisons will go
- DHS Employee - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 4:04 pm:
Clearly Millie K has an ax to grind with DHS. There are many SPSAs and current appointees that have done a great job under the circumstances. DHS is a huge agency with an important mission and it is a very complicated place to run. Yes, there are some hacks there and they need to be fired but the vast majority of appointees and SPSAs clearly were trying to make DHS a better place. Personally, I will be sad to see many (not all) of them go!
- Republicrat - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 4:13 pm:
Does anyone have an idea where the names of the appointments may be posted over the weekend? I don’t think the mainstream news will be in a position to make all the names available.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 4:14 pm:
===Does anyone have an idea where the names of the appointments may be posted over the weekend? ===
I’ll give you one guess.
- PublicServant - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 4:22 pm:
I’m taking bets on a hiring freeze being put into place soon after the inauguration. Any takers?
- Snucka - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 4:26 pm:
===Does anyone have an idea where the names of the appointments may be posted over the weekend? ===
I know there’s a great website that covers IL politics. Can’t think of the name right now…
- Norseman - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 4:28 pm:
=== I’m taking bets on a hiring freeze being put into place soon after the inauguration. Any takers? ===
It depends how you define hiring freeze. They’ll institute a hiring slowdown and perhaps call it a freeze. But we’ll see a lot of hiring of new administration officials for a long while.
- Mama - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 4:36 pm:
There will not be a hiring freeze until Gov- elect Rauner puts his people in place.
- PublicServant - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 4:39 pm:
Norseman, I’m sure you’re right about that. I’m thinking along the lines of the new appointees freezing hiring except as approved by the appointee and their new HR person.
- Republicrat - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 4:40 pm:
My man! Working through the weekend…. again. Really appreciate it sir.
- Joe from Joliet - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 4:50 pm:
…Everyone seems to be hearing that CMS gets completely revamped…
But not just yet. Ngozi Okorafor is being promoted from within. Interim.
- Kathryn - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 5:38 pm:
a little background info on ngozi okorafor and christie lafleur please
- Confused - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 5:57 pm:
I predict no one stays.
- RNUG - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 6:02 pm:
Don’t have any specific names but I do have a prediction … half of the newly appointed directors without government experience will be gone by the time a year is up, either fired by Rauner for not meeting expectations or resigning on their own because of frustration at not being able to change things because they don’t understand the limitations of their position.
- Joe from Joliet - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 6:02 pm:
Okorafor is a CMS attorney. Hasn’t been there all that long. That had to be a plus.
- PublicServant - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 6:11 pm:
RNUG, that is an interesting and likely accurate assessment of the realities that will confront any appointees that actually believe the right wing talking points. 50% sounds about right.
- Madison - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 6:38 pm:
A whole lot of speculation as to whom will be the deck crew on the Titanic, no? These outsiders who have ” real business experience” have got a rude awakening coming about their first teleconference with CMS. Now thats entertainment!
- PublicServant - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 6:53 pm:
Wait until their first foray into the purchasing process. “But I just want to hire a consultant to write a piece of software that I feel will allow me to streamline operations and better utilize my personnel.”
Response: “I understand that sir, but we have rules that must be complied with to avoid the appearance of impropriety.”
Response: “OK, I understand. How long will it take to hire the consultant?
Response: Well, we need to put it out to bid, and then only those businesses who are qualified to bid.
Response: But I’d like to sole source it to this guy. I’ve seen that his software is exactly what I’m looking for…
Response: Sigh, forget it pal. I quit. This is ridiculous!
- RNUG - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 7:00 pm:
- PublicServant - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 6:53 pm:
Good point. I’ve written, evaluated or reviewed my share of RFI / RFQ / RFP’s over the years. Dealing with that is going to be a real culture shock to a private sector executive.
- Anon - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 7:16 pm:
Ngozi is not a good choice. I will leave it at that.
- In the Sticks - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 7:25 pm:
Okorafor was at CDB Chicago then to IDOT Chicago. No sorrow when she left CDB
- Curmudgeon - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 7:27 pm:
RNUG — I was going to suggest that half of ALL of his appointees would be gone in two years. With just one exception, that’s about how long first new directors lasted in the departments I worked in/did business with in the last 4 decades. The sole exception was Blago’s head of my last dept. who lasted the duration though legislators wanted him gone after the first year.
At the end of this month, and again after the close of the spring legislative session, I’d like to see Rich ask for opinions on who we think will be the first to bail and the first to go down in flames …
- Anon - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 7:30 pm:
She bounced around for a reason. Now she gets GC of CMS? I hope this is just a rumor. If not, it is amateur hour at transition HQ.
- Northside Nate - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 7:55 pm:
She got her start with Emil Jones and then did a stint with Cullerton. That is the only reason she is still a state employee. No one goes from Deputy level positions at CDB and IDOT to become a entry level counsel at CMS unless they messed up big somewhere along the line. However, This could very well be part of Rauner’s plan to implode CMS.
- Anon - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 8:20 pm:
Is there any word on whether the jobs program for lawyers and bureacracy (I.e. the EEC) is being revamped?
- Dr. X - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 8:36 pm:
A few months ago, Rauner said he wanted “Michael Shakman and his federal hiring monitor right in there with me to make sure every department of government follows through”.
Do we know who that monitor is and has Shakman signed off on these appointments?
- Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 8:45 pm:
I sincerely hope that we don’t see a batch of “private sector superstars,” as they have generally been major failures at running State agencies. Feel free to offer an example of a success, because I can’t think of one.
Oh, and Paula Wolff really needs to retire.
- Observer - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 9:03 pm:
Syverson at Dept of Insurance will make that agency respected once again. Boron and Oshman were disasters.
- Interested - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:36 pm:
I wonder how much, if at all, new admin vetted some of these appointments, whether from within the State…or not.
- EPA Watcher - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:41 pm:
Bonnett stays for now. Ironic since she was instrumental in the 10’s of millions of dollars of money given to communities at the end of the election to help Quinn try and win. I believe Rauner’s campaign even pointed this out towards the end of the election. Sadly, it is clear, her decisions have nothing to do with environmental issues.
- Lincoln Lady - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 1:21 am:
In a previous post regarding Quinn, you asked for his biggest accomplishment and with no “smirky” comments. Rauner has not been sworn into office as of yet and the “smirky” comments are flying. Can we at least give the man a chance to dig us out of the deep hole before slinging mud? Just be fair.
- Shaking up Springfield??? - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 1:56 am:
Shaking up Springfield by naming Kirk staffers, pay to players and million dollar campaign donation grabbing legislators to highly placed agency directorships once labeled as agencies with high cronie abuses? Watch the hiring lists, lobbyists and the ‘advisors? Only time will tell if Mr. Rauner is sincere about reform how many multi pensioners will be on payroll? Pension reform having us pay more?
Will shaking down taxpayers using the old guard be the new administration buzz phrase with cronies helping cronies or shaking up Springfield?
- Yatzi - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 7:08 am:
Besides the “hits” some individuals may take - I hope as otther commenters have that indiviudals with “knowledge” are retained - there are hundreds and hundreds of millinois of federal dollars at stake - they have rules that must be followed - or lose it.
- Lake County - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 7:12 am:
Rich does anyone get a prize for predicting 3 or 4 early predictions?
Shocking prediction with a few observations in light of qualifications and published articles lusting unpredented Kane County stockpiles of government vendor cash intake when Ms.McConnaughay served in Kane Co.
Observations…
Karen McConnaughay has done a significant campaign fund cash dump recently. Used to be stacked with engineers, contractors, named union statesman of year (20k) in Kane Co. Vendors in one cycle almost 400k+. News about pay and play by local press off web. Gave Leader Radogno $15,000 for caucus recently, lobbyists payments hard to find, took a referendum runaround vote to avoid public vote in district following robocalls,campaign consultant same as Rauner’s. Very hard to locate cash influx at first glance 2003-2012. 2 year senator in newly drawn district. Her ability to bypass other applicants with business and advanced marketing business degrees proves that politically placed friends have influence will make many wonder if DCEO will be a breeding ground for insider hires and visits.
Lots of D’2 housekeeping as hundreds of donor vendors, politicos not readily seen on WWWeb.
Other predictions..
Sen Syverson to Insurance. Tom Cross to Tollway. DuPage engineer to IDOT.
Will pension reform be ignored as some listed in all predictions are adding onto prior pensions?
- George Washington - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 8:21 am:
Mr. Cross needs to clean house at the tollway, starting with his good friend Colleen, who spends her days at the tollway with her feet up reading the newspapers.