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This is a common practice in state government, but the Blagojevich administration seems to have elevated the “hire a politically connected person as an intern to avoid veterans preference rules” game to an art form. The AP has yet another example today.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration picked a campaign donor’s son over eight other applicants for a high-level prison job but designated him an intern when it was time to put him on the state payroll, saying he needed more experience. […]Ysursa, 34, is the son of a lawyer in a prominent St. Clair County firm whose contributions to Democratic campaigns top $100,000 since 2000 — including $15,000 to Blagojevich. Ysursa also has degrees in business administration.
He dismissed the notion that political connections opened the door for him.
This is my favorite part of the story…
It’s unknown whether any of the eight applicants who lost out to Ysursa, who has no military experience, were veterans or experienced Illinois Department of Corrections employees. Despite a state administrative rule making job applicants’ names public record, the governor’s office won’t release the list for this job, saying it would violate the privacy of unsuccessful applicants.
It turns out he was also on the clout list.
In addition to the March memo from Blagojevich personnel director Joe Cini approving the assistant warden hire, Ysursa’s name appears on a list obtained by The Associated Press of nearly 300 names of job candidates and their political sponsors that the administration kept in the months after Blagojevich took office in January 2003.
The AP also has a timeline here.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 7:34 am
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Comment by Dr. Yan Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 7:55 am
Governor Blago is no doubt excited to see the details regarding these bad apples has been uncovered and brought to light.
I am sure Blago will give Mr. Fitzgerald a call early today to let him know that the responsible Ryan crony has been immediately discharged and to encourage Mr. Fitzgerald to vigorously investigate other Ryan cronies.
However, Mr. Fitzgerald need not waste his valuable time investigating Blago bad apples. Blago and his Inspector General will hunt down bad apples and make sure they receive the additional training they deserve.
Comment by BigBob Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 7:56 am
A business administrator in a prison isn’t exactly a high-level corrections position.
I’d be willing to be that this dude is the only business administrator in the state department of corrections with a Masters in business administration.
It’s about time.
Comment by B Hicks Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 7:58 am
If you look at the timeline, he was approved, then interviewed then started the job 2 business days later.
Is this normal for the state?
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:20 am
Would it be safe to presume that since the “annointed” son was hired as an intern, then at least one of the other candidates had veterans preference? Or, were more qualified? How convenient he was promoted to a permanent position less than a year later. Too bad for the other applicants, huh?
Comment by Walking Wounded Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:26 am
Rod Blagojevich: Rewarding campaign donors over U.S. veterans since 2002!
Comment by Anonie! Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:34 am
The use of the intern classification to facilitate political hiring in violation of Rutan should be fixable without eliminating the classification.
Given the number of elderly lifers clinging to their state civil service posts, any procedure that facilitates hiring younger candidates is valuable to the taxpayer, if we have to hire more state employees at all–alwasys a matter of debate, given their high cost and the availability of outsourcing.
But in this, as in so many example of state political corruption, Ilinoisians lack the political will to fix the problem, although in this case, minor changes in the personnel regs would do so.
Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:40 am
Has Rod campaigned with Duckworth? It is apparent that is one more veteran that he doesn’t want to get a job. What’s he thinkin? Why the silence from the 2nd greatest man in IL outside of Obama?
Comment by Wumpus Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:41 am
Thank goodness for George Ryan! If it wasn’t for Ryan, then none of this — and I mean not one fricking iota — would have ever happened.
Happy, happy, day!
We are all so fortunate that corruption has been uncovered. THE SYSTEM IS WORKING!!
NOTE: This is *good* corruption. Ryan is to blame for this. Blagojevich has nothing to do with this.
Comment by Denby Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:45 am
B- you know in your heart and your head that “something stinks” here. IF he was qualified, and IF there were no vets on the A list, he would have just slid into that position. It is NOT normal practice of any agency to hire people as Interns, then promote them a year later (after having this person be trained by his now subordinate employee). Only in Blagoworld, does this occur.
If you want to have some respect from your fellow bloggers, either admit up front that you are a Blago devil worshiper, or admit that you are “not the sharpest blade in the drawer”. Because, you can’t continue to say that “this hire” was legit, and have any respect for yourself.
Comment by Roy Slade Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:45 am
Also B- the Bus Admin reports directly to the Warden at almost every facility- and they are indeed a “high level employee”.
Comment by Roy Slade Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:47 am
The Business Administrator is basically the Chief Fiscal Officer of the prison.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:52 am
I began working with the state on a personal services contract. Then I applied for and received a Public Administation Intern position. Now I realize this was 20 years ago, but at that time the agency I worked for had to adhere to the veterans preference rule. As a result, my agency hired two people, me and a vet. I don’t know if rules have changed since then, but I doubt it. Sounds like more typical Blagozo stuff. BTW. I wish I had connections. My annual salary was only $12,000.
Comment by Buck Flagojevich Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 9:42 am
B Hicks shows his/her ignorance yet again. This intern controlled about an $11 million budget for this facility. Nope, not “high level” at all.
Good thing this Governor is “changing the way we do business.” What a phony.
Comment by Lincoln Lounger Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 9:46 am
Cassandra:
When will you accept this fact? There are two types of state employees. The worker bees, maybe some have been there 20+ years, and the political appointees. The appointees don’t do much work and have the large salaries.
You always seem to want to paint all state employees with the same brush. There is a difference between the two classes of employees. Until you figure this out, STIFLE your comments about the rank and file employees. Most are doing their work and keeping there heads down trying not to incur the wrath of the Blago Brown Shirts.
Comment by Buck Flagojevich Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 9:52 am
Despite a state administrative rule making job applicants’ names public record, the governor’s office won’t release the list for this job, saying it would violate the privacy of unsuccessful applicants.
Mr. Fitzgerald - the Goobernur is breaking the law again. The Goobernur needs to hand over the list.
Comment by Anon. Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 9:53 am
Somebody needs to start a list. This guy and the pilot can be the first two entries.
Comment by Buck Flagojevich Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 10:21 am
And all worker bees are required to take an annual (waste of time and taxpayer money) ethics test. If the bee reports to the politically connected any ethics violation, it is the bee who gets in trouble.
Ethics was clearly ignored for Ysursa to get this job - Blago needs to show leadership and weed out yet another bad apple.
Comment by Mr. Ethics Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 10:29 am
Buck -
We’re painting with a broad brush, aren’t we. I know lots of hardworking dedicated public servants who are appointees, and they’re not all overpaid either. The fact is, stick around long enough to climb the ladder and the career path up may require you to let go of civil service protection! This isn’t everyone’s case of course, but there are plenty of devoted public servants in both categories.
Comment by anon Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 10:47 am
Bad apple??? This administration is a frigging ORCHARD!!!!
Time to get the chainsaw out.
Comment by Look, mama, it's Mayor Daleyvitch Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 11:21 am
Tell me if I am wrong about any of the following observations:
1. Some political “hacks” are preselected in hiring practices.
2. Some applicants are more qualified than the hacks. The process has wasted a lot of time and energy by the hiring personnel and the applicants. The staff qualified to be making the hiring decisions based on merit and qualifications are shut out of the process.
3. Some of the professional, qualified hires within each agency have problems getting the hacks to perform up to standard.
4. The morale of each agency suffers along with the professionalism and performance of the agency.
5. While hiring freezes are in place for many key staff positions, the hiring of upper level persons with dubious qualifications for positions of questionable value paying high salaries have occurred in several agencies. And that several of these people have had some political connections with friends or family of Blago.
6. The professional staff of agencies have had to suffer with some really dumb decisions made by these highly placed political hires.
7. Employees of agencies have been told to keep their mouths shut and do truly fear for their futures if they open up to the wrong people.
8. Employees have been fired for being in the wrong party or expressing the wrong views.
Comment by vole Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 12:04 pm
Roy, please; I’ve been with corrections since the mid-80’s. I started under Lane, and lived through Mcginnis, Peters, Washington, and Snyder. I’ve worked in 4 facilities and at Concordia. I’ve held Union and M/C positions. Don’t try to blow smoke up my a**.
I’ve seen a secretary promoted to business administrator in Jacksonville, and a car salesman from the streets, promoted to a record office supervisor in Decatur. I’ve seen people with absolutely NO corrections experience at all promoted to academy trainers. I’ve seen correctional officers promoted to Majors, and a former SOS staff member promoted to deputy director.
Where was the outrage when deputy directors where getting DUI’s in state vehicles? How about drunk driving wardens that crash and kill people?
I’m not saying that this makes anything right, but don’t try to make it sound like I’m in the dark on issues like state hiring, firing, and promotions.
Comment by B Hicks Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 12:15 pm
vole,
You are logical, well spoken and correct on all counts. The “short people” in the guv’s office would have you fired if they could track you down. You forgot that:
they got little hands
little eyes
they walk around
telling great big lies
Comment by chinman Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 12:30 pm
B Hicks
You forgot about losing the keys to an entire prison.
Comment by Budget Watcher Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 12:55 pm
Oh, now, everyone knows this is all George Ryan’s fault. Or, was it the responsiblity of all the bad apples? Or, could it be….Satan?
Comment by Walking Wounded Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 1:06 pm
What happens in Blago’s second term? Does he blame Ryan for all his *second* term problems?
Wait — the repubs had 26 years. That means he needs another 22 before he’ll start taking the blame for his mistakes?
Comment by Denby Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 1:47 pm
A 34 year old intern? His parents must be so proud…I wonder if they let him borrow the car on the weekends.
Comment by Abe Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 1:59 pm
Oh my! The anon at 10:47 put me in my place. FYI. I have been there and have done just what you describe. Perhaps I should have said “Blago’s appointees” rather than just “appointees”.
Or is that wording more offensive to you?
Comment by Buck Flagojevich Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 4:57 pm
B. Hicks, for the most part you are in the dark. What are you? One of those ex-captain’s?
Comment by MIDSTATE Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 5:24 pm
Hey ‘Buck Flagojevich’ if you want a list, IDOT – District 8 has at least 40 names to give. We have a retired plumber, a six grade music teacher, a couple of bar maids, a convalescent home worker, and others working in technical positions (mind you, there is nothing wrong with a career change, but some were selected without benefit of a interview and started WAY above the bottom of the bracket)
Comment by state worker #1 Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 6:09 pm
Has anyone heard if the hiring and promotions are being frozen at State agencies (particularly IDOT?) They were a few positions that were interview for a while back and there has been no word on who got the positions? I could understand that in light of the ‘hiring scandal’ they would want to put things on ice for a while. I also noticed that they have no jobs posted on the intranet site.
Comment by state worker #2 Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 6:19 pm
Someone needs to check the names of over 25 recent hires at IDOT emergency traffic patrol in Chicago and the ex alderman, senator pretending to manage this place!!!
Comment by IDOT PRO Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 6:39 pm
Any truth to the rumor that IDOT’s Martin, Doubet and Stout were served with subpoenas today? How about other agencies? Interesting timing, now that Sorich is guilty and PF has more time to work on the Blago endemic fraud. And since they have been looking at IDOT for a year, it makes sense that they might start with indictments there…..
Comment by Cat Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 7:11 pm
Blago is worse than Ryan as Governor. He definitely speaks with forked tongue, and all his flunky spokespersons just do as they are told and do as he says. Blago is ripping off the people of this State and they are so blinded by his double-talk. For 3 years certain agencies of the State did not get pay increases, not even cost of living. But all the new hires he installed were getting and are still getting huge salaries. After firing a huge number of people in the first year of office of this certain agency, he hired new people doing the same job as those that were fired, but under new created positions. He has found ways to rob certain agency pension funds, and take money for his pet projects under the guise of administrative services, i.e. CMS. Even as Governor, Ryan did not have his name plaster on signs everywhere and on everything, as Blago has done (he has a HUGE enormoust EGO). He has spent more money than necessary for signs, and is costing the people of the State tons of money. If he doesn’t get indicted before November, and he should, then there is something definitely wrong with our system. How much more proof do the Feds need. I think that Lisa Madigan pawned off the investigation to Feds, so she wouldn’t get burned.
Comment by "Bay" Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 7:24 pm
The morale at a certain agency is the worst it has ever been in since Blago’s administration. Especially when you know that certain people (that are brought in) are getting huge salaries. And it also is demoralizing when certain positions have a name change, but the do the same work, are getting increases. There are plenty of people that have been hired, that are not qualified, but are getting a big salary. Also, when positions are eliminated, and other people end up doing the job of two and are not compensated, unless you are in the “In Crowd”.
This is not a morale builder.
Comment by "Bay" Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 8:05 pm
B- you make my point for me. Under Republican Governors, you were appointed, promoted, transferred, and able to move about- though you are a democrat. (Now, here is where you tell me you were promoted due to your excellance).
Under this administration, a DOC employee has no chance unless they are connected.
You were able to list a few examples of “bad hirings”- over a 20 year period. Routan didn’t occur till the early 90’s- so some of those were not absolute examples of possible illegal acts. Perhaps dumb hirings- but not illegal. Now- putting music teachers as Asst Wardens, putting a stationary fireman as a dup director for downstate, having interns fill substantual roles while they get “experience”- that takes hubris!
I don’t really consider you a dork- a coolaide drinker who may be on suicide watch in a few months- perhaps lacking common sense- definately a yellow dog leaning democrat. But, not really a dork.
Comment by roy slade Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 10:22 pm
IDOT PRO….
whats the matter? your mad b/c your working the midnight shift aren’t you? you must have not been doing your job b/c I doubt that you have a laptop with you driving a truck at 6:39 pm. from what i hear ETP’s numbers have drastically improved over the past few years compared to the former ETP head who did nothing. Doubt me? look it up buddy, the numbers speak for themselves.
Comment by silas - assassin opus dei monk Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 10:41 pm
The truth about the term “intern” means that when they want to hire someone, they come in as an intern and when their “internship” has been deemed completed, they can be moved up to any position and salary, without have to go through the ranks. Most people are very glad they are interns and don’t have to step up job by job. Most of them are political hires.
The truth about hiring is that despite the supposed freeze on hiring, the new employee orientation classes are packed every month.
Again with new hires, many of whom have no experience and make twice what long-term workers are making.
Comment by Disgusted Thursday, Jul 6, 06 @ 11:08 pm
Oh, so IDOT’s Emergency Traffic Patrol’s numbers are “way up”. Its easy to lie with statistics, I suggest you look closely at the way they changed the definition of their ‘assists’. When you change definitions the value of comparing numbers across the years becomes so much garbage.
Comment by IDOT Worker Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 4:42 am
Anyone know how many of these illegally appointed Blago hacks are minorities?
Sounds like he’s only breaking the law for white guys.
Comment by Equal Opportunity Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 8:55 am
Clearly, IDOT is the biggest recipient of Chicago ward organization political hacks getting civil service jobs in the Blago administration.
Many have suggested the Committeeman Dick Mell has been locked out of patronage hiring. Nothing is further from the truth; he’s placed several dozen of his cronies.
In a deal cut by Mell and other north side committeeman, Mell’s pols were routed thru other area democratic machine organizations. Most thru 47th ward committeeman Gene Schulter directly to IDOT director Tim Martin.
Schulter, himself, has the largest number of political hacks in non-exempt city and state jobs on the north side. Mell may have had a fallout with Blago, but he found a way to work the Blago system to get the jobs he wanted.
Next step for Fitz is to get out of city hall and the the Thompson building and scruitinize to source of demand resulting in Shackman and Rutan violations; democratic committeemen and aldermen. Why arn’t the illegal job seekers in vilation of Schackman and Rutain considered co-conspirators. They create the demand for hiring corruption.
Comment by North Side Reporter Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 9:04 am
To: “Bay”
That certain agency wouldn’t the Illinois Tollway it would it ?
Comment by Plainfield Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 11:12 am
SILAS-
WRONG! Try again. Drastically improved? Man are you mistaken pal. The only thing accurate are incompetent managers appointed to oversee a high profile agency of IDOT.
Comment by IDOT PRO Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 3:13 pm
I can only hope they reveal the hundreds of “intern” positions filled that resulted in circumventing hiring rules, Vet pref for unqualified applicants, sequential promotion and raises, and ridiculous transfers to equivalent positions with raises for the annoited. Also, it would interesting to see travel expenses for all the people that refused to move to where the actual job is located so they could remain in Chicago.
Comment by El Conquistador Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 5:19 pm