* Bruce Rauner today called on Gov. Pat Quinn’s staff to “please put in place a hiring freeze, an appointment freeze and a reclassification freeze for all positions within state government.” The Trib has more…

Rauner said he had “no reason” to believe Quinn is “doing anything inappropriate” regarding hiring, but Rauner noted past transitions have seen governors load up the state payroll with friends, appoint political allies to various boards and put vulnerable workers into better-protected jobs.

“We think it’s good practice, it’s good management practice, not at the tail end of an administration to put in people, friends, affiliates, into positions that are permanent or hard to change when we have a new administration,” Rauner said.

Quinn spokeswoman Katie Hickey said the governor “has already directed all cabinet members to manage their agencies in a responsible manner to ensure that the basic operations of the state continue.”

That’s not exactly a “Sure thing, Bruce, anything you say” response.

* Raw video of Rauner’s presser…