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Leave the gun, take the cannoli

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* I told subscribers weeks ago that Sports Facilities Authority board member Manny Sanchez was the problem behind the governor’s inability to name his own CEO. So, in classic old-school hardball style, Sanchez was just wacked…

In a stunning political maneuver, the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority elected former TV reporter and gubernatorial aide Kelly Kraft as its new CEO.

The vote came Thursday morning after board member Manny Sanchez, 64, was told he was being replaced because his term was up. Mr. Sanchez, a Chicago attorney, had indicated he was leaning toward voting for the candidate pushed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel to lead the entity that runs U.S. Cellular Field.

Gov. Pat Quinn named Dr. Quentin Young, an 89-year-old physician and Civil Rights activist who once chaired the department of medicine at Cook County Hospital to the board.

Mr. Sanchez declined to comment. According to the board, the vote was 4-3 in favor of Ms. Kraft. The other candidate was Diana Ferguson, a former CFO for Chicago Public Schools who had previously worked at Sara Lee Corp.

…Adding… Tribune…

The vote followed a contentious exchange between board chairman Emil Jones and appointees of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who said Kraft was not as qualified as a candidate the board had interviewed earlier in the day. That candidate, Diana Ferguson, is a former CFO for Chicago Public Schools and Sara Lee Corp.

As we all well remember, Jones has lots of experience with this sort of thing. But I hope he doesn’t need anything out of the mayor any time soon.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:28 am

Comments

Very “progressive” of you Dr. Young.

Comment by Tom B. Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:31 am
This is officially hilarious.

Comment by The Captain Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:35 am
US Cellular will now be an FQHC.

Comment by private sector contractor Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:36 am
Ahora que es un sucio Sanchez.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:38 am
I hope Patty brought his glove cause he will be playing hardball with the Mayor and I don’t think he got past Tee Ball.

Comment by Irish Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:39 am
Does Quinn not realize he will need the mayor to win a primary? Obviously not.

Comment by Just Me Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:39 am
Say what you will but this was a pretty strong political move by the Governor.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:39 am
Hey Rahm, maybe now you can get around to dealing with the gang war since you lost this one.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:40 am
So Quinn wins this battle. I bet I know who will win the war. Hope Kelly Krapf was worth it, Pat.

Comment by LincolnLounger Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:41 am
Nothing but good government here folks, move along.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:44 am
Well played sir, well played indeed.

Comment by Chitownhv Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:44 am
Yeah, welcome to the board now vote for the chair…

Nice move Pat, don’t worry Rahm doesn’t hold grudges..

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:48 am
JustMe - Gee, maybe Quinn should just bow down to Rahm since he needs him so badly. Give me a break. Rahm pulled a punk move by dragging Kelly’s name through the mud and he got thumped.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:49 am
I agree with Anon above. Seems uncharacteristically tough for this governor.

Let’s hope he can stay equally tough on the facility closings. That’s harder than just not re-appointing somebody–one somebody.

As to Emmanuel’s reaction–who knows. He and Quinn have a lot of issues to negotiate. This may not be such a big deal in context. Plus if Kraft performs poorly, there’s always I told you so.

Comment by cassandra Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:50 am
“Nothing but good government here folks, move along.”

Snark, I take it.

This was certainly a hardball move by the Gov. Now lets see if he can stay in the came with a real pro.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:51 am
I didn’t know the Governor could count votes.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:53 am
“Manny Sanchez, you won’t hear from him no more …”

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:54 am
Didn’t know being old enough to have palled around with “Shoeless” Joe Jackson was a plus.

And what hasn’t Gov. Quinn appointed the good doctor to over the years? One of the oldest examples of his constantly drawing from the shallow well of his cronies.

Keep looking behind you for the payback from Rahm, Governor. It’s coming…

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:57 am
The longer Quinn is in office the more his true colors show. HACK!

Comment by Brendan Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:58 am
Wondering if Gov. Quinn is dead fish shopping today. You know, just for fun.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:58 am
Quinn should recommend Sanchez for job of Police Superintendent.

Comment by Empty Chair Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 11:59 am
I wonder …

Does Rahm need a “wartime consigliere”?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 12:02 pm
So the Board voted in favor of someone who has experience reporting about finances over someone who actually has executive experience WITH finances. This is a CEO position, not a Director of Communications position. What a bunch of bozos.

Comment by Ahoy! Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 12:02 pm
The other funny part about this is the Governor probably thinks he just won something important.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 12:05 pm
This should make for an interesting time at the Obama victory party. I wonder if Pat will show up to see who was taken off the list.

Comment by wndycty Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 12:10 pm
Msmmoth budget problems, and this is how he spends his political capital?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 12:11 pm
This is about who controls contracts out of US Cellular Field. Ms. Kraft is capable of taking orders. But who really does run US Cellular Field ?

Comment by Cook County Commoner Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 12:25 pm
Rahm, when hearing the news, said …

“But … but … I’m the Mayor …”

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 12:27 pm
“Mayor Emanuel … A dead fish arrived with this note.”

“Read it.”

“It says, ‘President of the United States, Governor of California, Governor of New York, Mayor of New York, and Mayor of Chicago may be your dream jobs, but I am still Governor of Illinois, and you are still the Mayor of Chicago. Pat Quinn’, what does that mean?”

“It’s a gubernatorial message, it means, a Chicago Mayor’s Appointment sleeps with the fishes.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 12:34 pm
It will be interesting to see how Chicago State does in the next round of budget stuff…

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 12:47 pm
Aren’t these positions, including Kraft’s, subject to Senate confirmation?

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 12:54 pm
If AA had a nickel for every F-bomb dropped on the fifth floor of City Hall today, I could throw a nice holiday bash for all the nice folks here on the blog. Probably even open bar.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 12:56 pm
Quinn might have made a point,but the Chicago Way will use more than that to get back at him.Those contracts are high dollar and related to a lot of paybacks ie political donations.

Comment by Jimbo Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 1:04 pm
Rahm back to Pat: “When you least expect it - expect it.”

Rahm’s not going to go straight at him: he’ll use an intermediary and a situation that doesn’t look very city-related, and be “just as surprised as anyone”, when the payback comes.

Pat. more and more you’ve convinced me you need to be Primaried.

Comment by Newsclown Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 1:07 pm
===If AA had a nickel for every F-bomb dropped on the fifth floor of City Hall today, I could throw a nice holiday bash for all the nice folks here on the blog. Probably even open bar.====

An open bar for every one on this blog??? No one could afford that!!!!!!

Comment by downstate hack Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 1:07 pm
Why’s everyone focused on Ms. Kraft? Dr. Quentin Young is the real story here. Tremendous move by the governor. With the Finance Authority possibly being involved in a Wrigley deal it makes sense to bring in someone who was there for the Cubs World Series wins.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 1:09 pm
The Gov is a bully and he wants his way or else. Don’t look at the big picture and build relationships to accomplish good important things. Don’t sit down with the unions and work to come to a consensus on pension savings. Don’t meet with the GA to build a plan to ease the fiscal crisis. Don’t work with the Mayor to build a good relationship so the city and state can prosper together. Just stand up and beat the table and yell “Nyet! I am the Governor! It’s my way or else.” See where that gets you.

I have come to the conclusion that this is not a new Pat Quinn we are seeing. When you think of it, back in his CUB days he did basically the same thing. He villified the opposition, the utility companies, after all who really likes them? Once he made them Public Enemy #1 he used that to rile up the populus and then he beat the untility companies over the head with this newly formed club. Same tactic he is using on state employees. All of this works when you are fighting against something, but it doesn’t work when you are trying to build something, or lead.
But he doesn’t get that. He operates under the mantra that is our agency slogan. “The beatings will continue until morale improves.”

It seems logical that PQ would pick a reporter, a talker, for an important position rather than a capable doer. Birds of a feather?

Comment by Irish Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 1:13 pm
Being able to put a spin on financial news as opposed to managing financial operations makes Kelly as qualified for this job as me drinking Tang as a kid made me qualified to be an astronaut.

Comment by Past the rule of 85 Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 1:16 pm
downstate, I’ve known Rahm quite a while, but you do have a point. Maybe beer and wine for 90 minutes.

The Tribbies report that, during the heat of the debate,Emil Jones basically cut off Jim Reynolds mid-sentence. There, friends, is a very interesting side note to this story.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 1:16 pm
Oswego, How about Eddie Vrdolyak? He’s not doing much these days?

Comment by 10th ward Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 1:17 pm
“don’t ever take sides against the Family”

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 1:17 pm
Not a good day to ask the Mayor for a favor.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 1:18 pm
Michelle, excellent point.
AA actually thought the good doctor had moved on to that big hospital in the sky….oops.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 1:26 pm
How could there be any debate beyond “I’m Pat Quinn’s guy and he told me to pick this candidate” and “I’m Rahm’s guy and he told me to pick this candidate”?

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 1:30 pm
I agree with a previous poster — I would have expected more from Dr. Young. Sad day when a man who stood for so much good can loose his reputation over a silly board appointment.

Comment by Takes one to know one Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 1:49 pm
===Oswego, How about Eddie Vrdolyak? He’s not doing much these days?===

There is truth in that sentence … but I would guess that Eddie V (The namesake of the ‘Eddie V Rule’ of the year & a day sentence) has been asked to stay away from politics … for …um, EVER.

Eddie and the 10 Ward … A different time.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 1:51 pm
Just goes to show that within breast of every Democrat in Illinois beats the heart of a craven hack.

Comment by Meanderthal Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 1:53 pm
Her only qualification for a job that pays her $180K per year and puts her stamp on millions of dollars worth of bond, law-firm, and construction contracts is that she is a ‘protege’ of Jack Lavin and knows how to reach him before she decides which underwriters, law firms, and contractors to select - a la Lavin’s other marionettes at the Toll Highway Authority and the Illinois Finance Authority.

Comment by chicagopublius Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 2:00 pm
- The Gov is a bully and he wants his way or else. -

This really takes the cake, you’re complaining that Quinn bullied Rahm? Are you out of your mind?

Rahm, at the first hint of opposition, tried to destroy Kelly Kraft’s credibility very publicly.

Yet Quinn is the bully for using his authority to appoint members to a board? Cry me a river.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 2:11 pm
=== an 89-year-old physician ===

Is this fellow really 89 or is that a typo?

Comment by Cincinnatus Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 2:13 pm
Quinn now joins the ranks of Bill Cellini/ Stuart Levine when it comes to good governance since that is exactly what they did to get their guy appointed to be exexutive director at TRS

Comment by Sue Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 2:14 pm
Cincinnatus, he’s really 89. And take it for what it is worth, is listed as Governor Quinn’s personal physician on Dr. Young’s wikipedia page, though other articles indicate he is retired from his medical practice.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 2:22 pm
STL - I don’t expect you to see it through your blue colored glasses but yes, he is a bully.

I didn’t say he bullied Rahm. I said he wants his way no matter what the long term consequences are. He wanted Ms. Kraft for this position because he wanted someone he could control in that position. In my opinion Rahm pointed out Ms. Kraft’s deficiencies as have others on this blog, legitimately. He also expressed a concern that the city would have no control over sports facilities that are in the city. Pat Quinn had the opportunity to meet with the Mayor and discuss this. He had opportunities to bring the discussion out into the open and explain his reasoning. Instead he hid in the shadows and then at the last minute fires the one person that stood in the way and then installs his puppet. He made a statement “I am the Governor, I win”

Leading? no. Transparency? no. Relationship building? no. Blagojevichesque? yep.

Or maybe he is finally getting around to the fumigating?????

Comment by Irish Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 2:36 pm
Fastball up and in.

Quinn should have pitched better while ahead in the count.

Comment by walkinfool Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 2:59 pm
Cinci, Quentin Young does indeed have 89 trips around the sun. Evidently he didn’t learn much in all that time.

Comment by Meanderthal Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 3:22 pm
Governor trumps Mayor. Same as it ever was.

I thought all smart guys knew that.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 3:31 pm
By the way, good for Quinn in standing up for Kelly Kraft. She didn’t deserve it.

It was a punk move by Emanuel to drag her name through the mud. Not everyone walks out of government service and scores millions cutting deals with the federales for ComEd (those lucrative opportunities were a big surprise to him, I’m sure).

In my mind, you could get rid of Kraft’s ISFA position. It’s useless

But this was bare-knuckled politics, and Quinn just beat Emanuel like a rented mule.

Is there a new Mr. Irrelevant in the state?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 3:40 pm
Sueim, a predictable but flawed analogy on your part.
Tell us, what is your obsession with TRS? If it’s not creeping for months about their investments, which turned out to be a non-story, now it’s something else.
Did you apply for a job there and get turned down? That would be a bummer. Nice offices, free parking, west side-ouch.

Anywho, get your facts straight next time, k?

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 3:41 pm
Irish - I’ll take off my blue colored glasses when you take off your AFSCME colored pair.

When did Rahm call for a meeting? The governor presented a candidate, Rahm immediately went for the jugular. He hadn’t even named his preferred candidate at that time.

Quinn didn’t assault anyone’s character like Rahm did. He excercised his authority to accomplish a goal.

You can bash Quinn all you want, but the bottom line is that Quinn made a decision, stuck with it, and made it happen legally without trying to ruin anyone’s reputation.

And if it keeps Rahm from jamming through a deal with the Ricketts, it is absolutely fine by me.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 3:42 pm
ah, fighting between the Axelrod boys, Lavin, Rahm. see how interesting it gets when your side gets to govern everywhere? you fight over things cause you are not satisfied with the power you have. pathetic.

Comment by amalia Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 5:29 pm
Emil Jones? I thought he retired with a six figure legislator’s pension a few years ago.

Comment by Emily Booth Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 5:40 pm
Hey AA- you turned ot to be wrong about the TRS investment returns unless you think underperforming the S&P by 400 basis points is stellar

Comment by sue Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 6:13 pm
I am learning that underneath Emanuels facade lurks a spoiled little rich kid from the North Shore. I wonder if Barack wins reelection what Rahm would do if offered a Cabinet post…”CALL THE DALEY KIDS AND SEE IF ONE OF THEM IS READY TO CARRY ON THE TRADITION”…

Comment by Anonymous45 Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 6:26 pm
At a minimum- Quinn just bought himself a contested primary but then that assumes the Governor has any interest in reelection with his support numbers below 30 percent- Maybe by 2014 the State will officially be being run by a court appointed receiver

Comment by sue Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 6:48 pm
how come nobody is discussin the other quinn appointments? Dennis Gannon= pension fraud= question ?just asking…

Comment by railrat Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 7:19 pm
Sueim, I didn’t predict the TRS returns. I indicated that I had crunched my own numbers based on publicly available data. I was off about 50 bps on the high side. Those darn bonds threw me off.
If you think a public pension fund should either be 100% invested in the S&P or 100% correlated to it, it’s no wonder TRS wouldn’t hire you. I’ve heard they may have a spot opening in the mail room after April Fool’s Day; you may want to apply now, as they always get plenty of applicants.
Probably also worth noting that TRS outperformed SURS and the woeful ISBI once again in FY 12, but you probably knew that.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 7:56 pm
As a former president once said: “It’s arithmetic.” 4 is bigger than 3. Do you think Pat reminded Rahm of his math “problem” after Ms. Kraft was dragged through the mud? My guess is yes.

As for the Guv needing the Mayor to win the guberentorial election, don’t forget who holds pretty much all the cards to a Chicago casino. In other words, Rahm needs Pat just as much as Pat needs Rahm.

Comment by Soxfan Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 8:21 pm
I don’t understand why Quinn would play such hardball for a former TV reporter. The Emanuel move publicizing her personal bankruptcy was bush league to be sure. But Kraft is not objectively qualified for the job. Her only responsible job has been puffing up Quinn’s reputation.

Once again, if only Old Pat Quinn could see New Pat Quinn and give him a talking to, as in “speaking truth to power”.

Comment by DuPage Dave Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 9:29 pm
DD: To speak “truth to power” you need someone will carry out your goals and objectives. KK has proven she will undoubtedly do that job quite well, just as Rahm’s pick for the community colleges will do so for the mayor. Remember, these are political positions, first and forecast. That’s why they are exempt from the Shakman decree.

The five people she will supervise in ISFA office? They’ve gotten by without a director for a year, and like most employees will continue to their job despite who is picked for this political position.

Comment by Soxfan Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 9:43 pm
Quinn’s favorabilty rating just shot through the roof.

Comment by Still laughing Thursday, Nov 1, 12 @ 10:44 pm