Quinn appoints Weems to CMS
Thursday, Jun 16, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a press release…
Governor Quinn today appointed Malcolm Weems as director of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). Today’s action is the latest in a series of appointments the Governor is making as he continues to fulfill his commitment to creating jobs, fostering economic development and increasing efficiency and accountability in all areas of state government.
“The leadership and expertise Malcolm Weems has shown in helping my administration confront the most serious fiscal crisis in our state’s history make him perfectly-suited for this new role,” said Governor Quinn. “His experience will be invaluable as he leads the agency charged with finding savings and efficiencies throughout state government. I thank James Sledge for his years of dedicated service to the people of Illinois.”
Weems has served as chief of staff in the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget since 2009. He has also served as the agency’s associate director and as chief operations officer of procurement for CMS. Weems previously served as a finance manager for the Chicago Park district and is a member of the Governor’s Anti-Violence Commission.
“The Department of Central Management Services plays a critical role as the state continues to confront our fiscal challenges and looks to improve our minority contracting and hiring,” said Weems. “I look forward to utilizing my experience at the Office of Management and Budget to address these challenges and make our state government more efficient and effective.”
Weems is one of the few young, rising stars in this administration.
- How Ironic - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 10:54 am:
Excellent choice. Malcom is a very competent worker, and will do well in his new role.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 10:55 am:
Before confirmation, the Senate should get some answers/assurances regarding CMS sandbagging of FOIA request regarding workers comp.
- MJMspksman - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:11 am:
every once in a while Gov malfunction gets it right..
- ugh - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:23 am:
Malcolm has done a great job at GOMB. Appointing Malcolm might be the best choice of appointments made thus far. He’s one of the most talented people in the administration.
- Leroy - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:27 am:
Malcolm has it together. I guess this means he won’t be running for a GA seat!
- slow down - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:35 am:
There have been a core of talented people at GOMB the last couple of years that have done terrific, though most often thankless work. Malcolm is one clear example of that and will be difficult to replace at GOMB. This is an excellent appointment by the Governor.
- Little Lebowski - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:39 am:
Malcolm is great. Excellent choice.
He will be tough to replace at OMB. They have great staff and have recently brought in some more top notch people, but they will need to get a really good replacement to help deal with the mess of a budget they were just handed.
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:41 am:
Malcolm it’s not too late back out Brother. LOL
- Levois - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:41 am:
“Malcolm has it together. I guess this means he won’t be running for a GA seat!”
If he’s that good then he should consider it even for a term.
- Leave a light on George - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:46 am:
=Before confirmation, the Senate should get some answers/assurances regarding CMS sandbagging of FOIA request regarding workers comp=
X2
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:57 am:
Malcolm is a great choice. He is smart, focused and organized– all attributes that CMS needs!
- WAKE UP STATE OF ILLINOIS - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 12:22 pm:
YES~FOR ONCE THE STATE HAS MADE A GREAT CHOICE!
- K3_Spfld_Chi - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 12:32 pm:
“Weems is one of the few young, rising stars in this administration.”
Yes, this is correct and Malcolm is a great pick. The problem is the other picks like the unqualified and incompetent Monken and Grant.
- Ghost - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 12:55 pm:
CMS is a mess, its nice to see someone of Malcolms caliber being placed in the driver seat. Now to see what he can do fix it!
- Cincinnatus - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 12:59 pm:
From what posters here are saying, it appears this is a good choice by Quinn. I guess, some times a blind squirrel gets a nut…
- Sleepless in ChiTown - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 1:57 pm:
I don’t know Mr. Weems, but glad to hear what everyone is saying about him. It might be an interesting question of the day to ask about other “rising stars” within the administration?
- Ain't No Justice - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 5:54 pm:
Quinn should have appointed him sooner and got Sledge out of there a long time ago along with his “frat brothers”.
- Neebo - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 6:15 pm:
Three great Director hires recently. Jay Stewart, Tony Godinez, and Malcolm Weems.
- record due - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 7:03 pm:
Ain’t no justice-perhaps you should get your facts right before speaking. I am a CMS employee, and have been for the last 10 years. Mr Sledge went to Notre Dame-last time I checked, they did not have any frats. He was appointed to three agencies, and kept CMS afloat when that clown Rod went to jail. When Quinn came in, first thing he did was re-appoint Mr. Sledge. The only reason Weems is coming is because Sledge resigned last week. We should thank him for his service and wish him well.
- Lincoln Lad - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 7:39 pm:
Both Malcolm and Sledge are quality people. I’ve been fortunate to know and work with both over the years. Congratulations and good luck to both in their new roles!
- Chicago Cynic - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:03 pm:
Ain’t no Justice,
You don’t know what you’re talking about. Sledge is a remarkably talented administrator who turned around three agencies and went about his business quietly, apolitically and with little fanfare.
He did a remarkable job turning around large swaths of CMS mismanagement including completely wiping out the notorious holdover lease problem. As SJR reported at the time, “Since early 2009, CMS said, it has consolidated, rebid and renegotiated 197 leases across Illinois. In total, it said, that effort will save more than $20 million in rental costs annually.”
I understand Weems is a good and talented guy as well. Given some of the folks on 16, I wish him luck. He’s going to need it.
- Wassup... - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:36 pm:
Before confirmation Malcolm has to agree to make sure that his senior staff is diverse. CMS has not followed the Hispanic Employment Plan that passed unanimously out of both chambers in 2006 and the State currently has 3% Hispanic representation within its workforce. With Senators Munoz and Delgado in the Chair and Vice Chair positions of the confirmation committee, they have to hold him accountable prior to confirmation.
- Neebo - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:52 pm:
As for the drive by shooting on Sledge, that was down right wrong. The State’s loss is definitely someone elses gain. He is as much as a up and comer as Weems and more. His education and administration background is exceptional and he is a downright stand-up and ethical guy.
- Chicago Cynic - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:12 pm:
You got it Neebo.
- Robbie Ru - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:51 pm:
Sledge is headed to CTA as a Senior Vice President and chief of administration from what I heard. The Quinn admin was not quick enough lock him down. Weems is a decent choice but he will have some big shoes to fill. Best of luck to both. Sledge will have his work cut out for him but with what he has had to deal with since the previous felon’s admininstration he will do great.
- Chicago Cynic - Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:37 pm:
Ain’t no justice,
I just realized that you’re confusing Sledge with the head of DCFS who has hired all his Frat brothers. Just a case of mistaken identity.
- Ain't No Justice - Friday, Jun 17, 11 @ 6:48 am:
OUCH, it is my opinion and experience. Been at the state probably longer than the negative posters and in the front lines things are more clearer than when you are on the outside looking in. Just saying….
- Ain't No Justice - Friday, Jun 17, 11 @ 6:50 am:
Ghost knows.
- Ain't No Justice - Friday, Jun 17, 11 @ 6:53 am:
Neebo…..Sledge ethical guy? Come on…. CMS is a mess and most know it. There are a lot of those “leases” still out there brother.