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* Gov. Quinn is trying to take care of a couple of folks at the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority on his way out the door…
Sneed has learned that Sports Facilities chief Kelly Kraft, who was Quinn’s controversial choice to lead the authority, is now out of a job after a contract expired last week. A movement may be afoot to hastily replace her on Monday, before Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner takes office next month.
But Sneed also hears Quinn could have a problem with such an appointment if his four handpicked facilities board team members decide not to approve the move before Rauner’s first day.
“Businessmen like doing business — and Rauner is now the state’s top businessman,” a Sneed source said. “Quinn would need all their votes to approve such a move.”
And a top Facilities Authority source claims that Lou Bertuca, Quinn’s former campaign manager, former deputy chief of staff and fellow Fenwick High School grad, is being floated as a possible appointee.
Quinn wants Bertuca to get a two-year contract. As of the other day, Quinn didn’t have the four votes needed to pull that one off. We’ll see.
* And this is from my colleague David Ormsby…
There may be a gubernatorial transition taking place, but the process of the state buying things - big and small - continues to trundle forward.
On November 17, Central Management Services issued a whopper of a RFP looking for a single Prescription Benefit Manager that will be responsible for the administration of the prescription drug benefit available under all state-sponsored self-insured health plans, including the State Employees Group Insurance Program, the Local Government Health Program, the Teachers’ Retirement Insurance Program, and the College Insurance Program.
The current contract expires June 30, 2015.
CMS wants all bids in by January 5 - one week before Bruce Rauner is sworn in.
Subscribe by clicking here.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 10:14 am
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Rich, I have to say I am in an attitude of gratitude because of YOU and your awesome work! Thank you!
Comment by William j Kelly Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 10:17 am
Hope Bertuca lands on his feet. He’s a terrific guy who carried a heavy load often.
Comment by A guy... Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 10:20 am
Surprised Quinn didn’t mastermind his own appointment to run Sox stadium.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 10:23 am
I like Lou, but really?! Given what is going on with Wrigley Field, now is not the time for amateur hour.
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 10:30 am
Lou is a nice and well meaning fellow, but he is not qualified to head this authority. His pervious experience includes being Quinn’s driver. Other than calculating gas mileage for reimbursement purposes, not sure he has the financial acumen for this type of position.
Comment by Teve Demotte Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 10:33 am
That is a big appointment to take from Rauner.You can bet that has already been promised to somebody, oh boy the fun is starting…………..
Comment by Chicago outsider Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 10:34 am
Its Rahms appointment, that is why he was so Peed off when Craft got in. Maybe this is also Quinns payback to Rahm who he feels he XX crossed him.
Comment by 19th Warder Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 10:39 am
TS, Wrigley has nothing to do with ISFA, thank goodness.
But I’m talking to the National Park Service to see if I can get a $75 million tax credit for not putting up a sign in my backyard.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 10:48 am
Like others have said, Lou Bertuca is very nice, but completely unqualified for this appointment. Next, he’ll try to appoint Brooke Anderson to head McPier. The Gov surrounds himself by children and the kids just don’t know what they are (were) doing.
Comment by Anon Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 10:53 am
Does anyone know what that higher ed procurement code exemption bill that ran this week all about?
Comment by Dirty Red Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 10:54 am
I don’t understand the story about the CMS RFP. So the operations of state government are supposed to come to a halt? That’s asinine.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 10:58 am
Sorry. That was me above.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 10:58 am
This, and the Illinois Finance Authority, have been too politically driven for years, and are right up Rauner’s alley. It’s one of the few areas in government, where business skills are directly applicable.
The only risk is if Rauner chooses to use them primarily as Rahm’s tools, to the detriment of more general state goals.
Comment by walker Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 10:59 am
This is a five person agency. If Kelly Kraft ran it for two years, Lou will do just fine. He is only responsible for funding and planning the biggest Democratic campaign in Illinois history. Numbers don’t lie. Calling him a kid is a joke.
Comment by Really Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 10:59 am
A guy -
Unless media reports are incorrect, the gig at ISFA pays about $175,000.
I am guessing that is a wee bit more than he made as campaign manager and deputy chief of staff.
I wouldn’t call that “landing on your feet.”
Comment by Juvenal Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 11:01 am
Some of you are misreading the post. Bertuca isn’t up for the top job. That’s Kraft. Bertuca is up for a contract.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 11:03 am
Word - thanks for the clarification. My bad.
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 11:07 am
Rich:
Sneed is reporting that Bertuca is being considered for the top job.
Maybe the “two year contract” is as CEO?
Comment by Juvenal Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 11:15 am
Ton of jobs being filled at IDOT as we speak. ..bruce has to be fuming
Comment by foster brooks Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 11:21 am
TS, Blago and Zell schemed to dump the liability of Wrigley on ISFA and the taxpayers to facilitate the Cubs sale, but both later became distracted by more pressing matters, such as prison and bankruptcy.
If I remember correctly, the Ricketts knocked about $150 million off their offer when it became apparent they’d have to take the ballpark, too.
I guess we can thank recent lousy Cub teams and Old Man Ricketts’ Obama Derangement Syndrome for killing the various plans since then to gouge the taxpayers for Wrigley.
They haven’t even begun to address the upper deck yet. That thing got slapped up in a hurry to handle the crowds when the Cubs were perennial pennant contenders in the ’30s. They weren’t thinking about it lasting 80 futile years when they built it.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 11:23 am
===Sneed is reporting that Bertuca is being considered for the top job.====
Nope
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 11:23 am
With all of the many people who have devoted decades of their lives to Quinn, he’s trying to arrange a sweet soft landing for Kelly Kraft? Unbelieveable.
Comment by Seriously? Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 11:26 am
Foster Brooks - can you be more specific about top jobs at IDOT being filled? If they are appointees, Rauner can undue them
Comment by Kathryn Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 11:32 am
I trust you, but that must mean Sneed got it wrong, because her story clearly indicated Bertuca is up for the top job.
I didn’t know Sneed could be wrong.
Comment by Juvenal Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 11:51 am
It’s a good thing Governor Quinn is so clearly an honest, good-government reformer, or I might think these appointments/contracts were a little fishy.
Comment by Anon. Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 12:06 pm
Kraft is done period , she is over and out. Bertuca is up for her job . She had a two year contract that expired now PQ wants Bertuca to get a contract as Executive Director.
It’s a word game but bottom line it’s the top position.
So who of Rahms people get burned if it happens?
Comment by City hall cop Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 12:08 pm
So this is Pat’s legacy?
Comment by Seriously? Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 12:14 pm
As far the first part of the post and following comments, this reinforces what was on the news yesterday that Illinois is the worst run state in the country. Self serving politicians loading up with their own appointments as they leave. As far as the last part I am uncomfortable with one single person in charge of that many groups as a prescription manager. I know it will be filled politically but I think unless there is a lot of oversight it will lead to back door deals, That is alot of power in one spot.
Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 12:17 pm
@Teve Demotte10:33=Other then calculating gas mileage for reimbursement purposes, not sure he has the financial acumen for this type of position.=
Third grade math problem, (way back when I was in third grade). 4+4+X=10 What number is X?
Governor elect: I know the answer! Tax cut minus 2! That solves the problem!
Third grader: X=plus 2.
Unless Lou is being hired as the accountant, he wouldn’t need much math for that job. He needs to be able to get along with people and build teamwork. The accountants will keep him informed on the finances.
Comment by DuPage Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 12:23 pm
Ginhouse, CMS isn’t looking for a person, they are requesting a proposal from companies like Walgreens or Express Scripts to be the pharmacy benefit manager for the state employee’s group insurance. Claims processing etc. If the current contract expires 6/30 they will need the proposals now to evaluate in time to issue a new contract.
Comment by LTSW Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 12:27 pm
Rahm wants that spot for a out going Alderman I’ve been told at sports authority
Comment by City hall cop Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 12:33 pm
LTSW I stand corrected
Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 12:56 pm
Dirty Red -
Have a bill #?
Comment by Anyone Remember Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 1:16 pm
Speaking of math, let’s do a little political calculus: These are the ISFA board members and their terms:
Mayoral appointments:
Norman R Bobins
07/01/2016
James Reynolds, Jr.
07/01/2015
Richard S Price
Continuing Appointment
Governor’s appointment with Mayor’s approval:
Emil Jones, Jr.
Continuing Appointment
Governor’s appointments:
Dennis Gannon
Continuing Appointment
(who was hired by Mayor Emanuel’s friend, Michael Sacks, after Gannon stepped down from his union post)
Elzie L Higginbottom
Continuing Appointment
(who is deeply involved in real estate financing, development and management of single, multifamily and commercial real estate in Chicago)
Dr. Quentin Young
07/01/2015
(The governor’s longtime friend and personal physician)
So with this cast of characters, how do you get to four votes?
I am sure that the Governor’s appointees are appreciative and loyal, but are they likely to cast a vote that will infuriate the current (and likely future) Mayor of Chicago in order to hand a political plum to an outgoing Governor? With the exception of Dr. Young, every person on this board has a significant reason to want the Mayor’s friendship. So why would the Governor try a power play in this particular arena, where he is so likely to have his, um, appointee handed to him in a very public manner?
It doesn’t make sense to squander your remaining political capital on a vote you’re unlikely to win…
Comment by Soccermom Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 1:17 pm
And here’s why this appointment is important, btw…
http://www.chicagosportandsociety.com/tag/perri-irmer/
Comment by Soccermom Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 1:21 pm
Reinsdorf has beaten the taxpayers like a rented mule through ISFA from the get-go. It pays to make contributions to all the major political players.
Bacardi at the Park, which the taxpayers built at a cost of $6.7 million, was just the latest kick in the swimsuit area.
Remember what ISFA chair Big Jim said about that boondoggle, after the board agreed to foot the bill for all the costs?
“We asked Jerry, ‘Jerry, can we have some of the profits?’ He said no. We said ok. I’ve known Jerry 52 years. He’s tough. He’s tough.”
Trib, 10-27-11
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 1:42 pm
#yep #itshappeningrightnow
Comment by Black Ivy Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 2:50 pm
Black Ivy I don’t think that the old director is one of those being added on. I thought I saw her at at the mall entrance with a cardboard sign that said “out of work, will audit files for food, Pleas help.”
Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Friday, Dec 5, 14 @ 4:44 pm