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Pastor Brooks to tollway board

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Illinois

* Gov. Rauner has just appointed Rev. Corey Brooks to the Illinois Tollway board…

* Brooks, you will recall, endorsed Rauner’s gubernatorial bid last year…

A South Side pastor who stuck his neck out by campaigning for Republicans Bruce Rauner and Jim Oberweis on Wednesday reflected on his decision, and the division it created in the African-American community.

“I took a beating, but it was all worth it,” Rev. Corey Brooks said a day after Rauner defeated Gov. Pat Quinn, but Oberweis lost to U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

WBBM Newsradio’s Mike Krauser reports Brooks, pastor of New Beginnings Church in Woodlawn, said he felt at times like he was the one running for office.

“I’ve discovered that … when you go against the status quo, and you go against what people have been doing for years, everybody is not going to be pleased with it,” he said.

* From the governor’s office…

Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Pastor Corey Brooks to the Illinois Tollway Board. He has a strong track record of working with private and public entities to affect positive change in his community.

Currently, Brooks is the Senior Pastor at New Beginnings Church in Chicago. He founded the church in 2000. He leads a congregation of more than 2,000 members, including a staff of nearly 70, which has a budget of more than $1 million annually. His leadership has led to the church becoming a resource center for the community.

Previously, Brooks founded Project Hood, where he worked as a community activist. He took steps to combat gun violence in the City of Chicago and provided support to families impacted by the violence.

Brooks is a graduate of Ball State University. He earned a law degree from the University of Florida, as well as graduate degrees from the Dallas Theological Seminary and the Grace Theological Seminary. He lives in Chicago.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:04 pm

Comments

Rauner won.

End of story for me.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:06 pm
I think the scan cutoff the “PAID IN FULL” stamp at the bottom of the appointment letter.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:07 pm
Friday afternoon news dump! And hoping that it will not have any “traction” and will be forgotten about.

Comment by illini Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:10 pm
I don’t get it — why throw this out with the Friday trash?

Wouldn’t the smart politics be to make some noise about this? You know, pictures, news clips, handshakes. — positive coverage in a community you’re seeking to make inroads?

Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:10 pm
Acts of political patronage are not corrupt.

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:11 pm
Word, for some reason the Gov’s people likes to do their written work on Fridays. My theory is that they rent their printers and they get better rates for a Friday rental.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:15 pm
My only guess not to trumpet it is the feeling that it is indeed “Paid in Full”…

Rauner can’t stomach doling out the spoils, warranted and accepted or not…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:15 pm
Wouldn’t it be something if they refused to confirm him in the Senate?

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:24 pm
Elections have consequences, PQ would do same thing, but he would never admit it. Look at how much money he spent on grants on his last two months in office.

I have a bigger problem Rauner appointees being allowed to get out of Tier II pensions while he wants regular state workers to switch over from Tier I to II. Let’s see if Pastor Brooks gets the same sweet deal.

Comment by Almost the Weekend Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:24 pm
Why Friday? Rauner’s not embarrassed by much, but even he’s not proud of this.

Comment by Cuddles Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:37 pm
Shakin’ up Springfield.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:39 pm
Sure he an appoint anyone he wants, but he said he wanted the most qualified people for all jobs.What are the pastor’s transportation credentials? Was there no one else more qualified?

Comment by Truthteller Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:45 pm
Cha-Ching! At least Bruce must be keeping some of those promises he made during the campaign.

I figured he would have welched on those the minute he took office.

Comment by Daniel Plainview Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:47 pm
Ok, so how does Bruce spin this appointment? How is this appointment not political patronage? I often wonder what side of a politician’s face is seen when they themselves look in the mirror.

Comment by No Longer A Lurker Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:47 pm
==Why Friday? Rauner’s not embarrassed by much, but even he’s not proud of this.==

Rauner’s office announces all of their board appointments on Fridays.

Comment by so... Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:50 pm
Truth teller beat me to the comment - what does this guy know about transportation and highway policy?

Sigh.

Comment by Huh? Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:56 pm
Illinois Tollway board…???

But I thought Rev. Brooks endorsed Rauner because he wanted vouchers for private schools, such as his private K-8 Christian school in Chicago?

Comment by Enviro Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:59 pm