* From the governor’s office…
Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed former State Representative Tom Cross as the Chairman of the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Cross’s experience as a state legislator and fiscal reformer will be an asset to the board.
Cross served in the Illinois General Assembly for 22 years and was the House Republican Leader from 2002-2013. He is currently a distinguished fellow at Aurora University where he promotes innovation in STEM education programs and a senior consultant at Culloton Strategies. Cross is also an attorney and a former prosecutor in the Kendall County State’s Attorney’s office.
Cross earned his bachelor’s degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and his law degree from Samford University. He lives in Oswego. […]
Andrew Flach has been named a Press Secretary in the Office of the Governor. Flach brings more than 10 years of communications experience in both state and federal governments to the position.
Most recently, Flach served the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) as the Chief of Staff. He oversaw the communications, legislative and advocacy offices, and took an active role in the development of the Department’s Pay-for-Success program. He also spearheaded a partnership with the Cook County Sheriff’s Department in the Child Recovery Unit.
Prior to his work at DCFS, Flach was the communications director for U.S. Representative Rodney Davis. He has also worked for the Illinois Senate and House Republican Caucuses and as communications director for U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk.
Flach earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois. He lives in Chicago.
There may be no higher ed institutions left for Cross to oversee not long from now, but Cross will do a diligent job in the meantime.
And a flack named Flach. Fitting. Heh.
- Nearly Normal - Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 4:07 pm:
Willy, your “golfing partner” has a new job!
- wordslinger - Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 4:08 pm:
Geez, what a lousy time for Cross to take that job.
Just how many flacks or Flachs does the governor need to communicate the four or five boilerplate phrases that pass for governance these days?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 4:10 pm:
Congrats to my neighbor Tom Cross and I hope he can maybe squeeze in some golf at Fox Bend with me this spring. Bring Artl too!
Fingers… “Crossed”
Mr. Flach,
Congratulations, good luck, you’ll do a good job.
I’ll look forward to your work,
OW
- My New Handle - Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 4:15 pm:
At least the public universities will know where to find Cross when their doors close.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 4:19 pm:
- Nearly Normal -
Who knows, we might get to golf at one of the University golf courses!
I’m happy for him.
- Norseman - Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 4:23 pm:
Akin to J. Bruce Ismay appointing a replacement captain for the Titanic on April 15, 1912.
Word +1
- Cuban pilot - Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 4:26 pm:
Flach is a great guy with a bright future. I’m happy for him.
- illinois manufacturer - Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 4:34 pm:
WIU does have a golf course. Could be leased out for food.( like the I will work for food signs.) or for a small appropriation.
- Tommydanger - Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 4:36 pm:
Welcome to the deck of the Titanic Captain Cross
- Nearly Normal - Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 4:38 pm:
Willy,
ISU has a nice golf course waiting for you and Tom to play. C’mon down!
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 4:41 pm:
Thanks - Nearly Normal -
D. A. Weibring redesign too, correct?
Maybe we can have a golf outing. It’s about 90 minutes from Oswego…
- LizPhairTax - Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 4:57 pm:
Wow. Rauner has found a way to hose the current and former Minority Leaders simultaneously. Well done.
- sal-says - Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 4:57 pm:
== …has appointed former State Representative Tom Cross as the Chairman of the Illinois Board of Higher Education… ==
Used to have a relative regard for Cross. Choosing to work FOR raunner? That regard is G.O.N.E.
== …has been named a Press Secretary in the Office of the Governor… ==
-A- press secty? One of many?
How many press secty’s does the marvelous Brucie need to spin his golden webs of deceit?
- 47th Ward - Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 4:58 pm:
===Maybe we can have a golf outing.===
I’m in.
- sal-says - Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 4:58 pm:
Ooops. Word beat me to it. Sorry.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 5:00 pm:
Also, I agree that Cross is a good pick to lead IBHE. Why he’d want it is another question, but I was terrified that they’d pick an Illinois Policy Institute type for the job.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 5:00 pm:
- 47th Ward -
Wouldn’t be an outing unless you made it.
- Wensicia - Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 5:01 pm:
Rauner appoints Cross and Flach to stand in front of what he’s doing to higher education. Still refuses ownership.
- clifton yankmaster - Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 5:04 pm:
Seriously? The governor will not fund higher education yet puts Cross into a job that might oversee one or two schools in the not too distant future? This governor has no clue.Is there a soul?
- Riddle me this - Friday, Feb 26, 16 @ 5:14 pm:
Nice to see the end of political appointments! Will he come in as tier 2 with tier 1 benefits or decline tinpot out of this pension while collecting GARS and a nice salary?