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This Is Illinois (Part 3,648)

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Illinois

* AP…

A key figure in last summer’s Metra transit scandal is now working for the state of Illinois in a recrafted job after a referral from Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that Patrick Ward was hired by Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration for a $70,000 post that was redefined after he was interviewed. His supervisory position currently has no one to supervise because of vacancies.

Officials say Ward received no special treatment and that his background qualified him for the job. But they exempted the post from normal hiring rules so he didn’t have to compete against other candidates. [Emphasis added]

Sigh.

* But, really, should this be any sort of surprise? I mean, the Speaker is more than just “adept” at patronage. He’s a master.

Remember this nifty little move from 2011?…

The Regional Transportation Authority has come up with an interesting solution of sorts to its continuing Springfield woes. It’s hired the son-in-law of Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan for a $130,000-a-year job. […]

The RTA’s spokeswoman says there is “no relationship” between the hiring and the fact that RTA Chairman John Gates has had a rocky relationship with Mr. Madigan, with continual talk that the speaker might even run a bill to abolish the agency.

Yeah, no relationship whatsoever.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:55 pm

Comments

==But they exempted the post from normal hiring rules so he didn’t have to compete against other candidates.==

I think this thing smells, but this sentence doesn’t mean much to me. If the position was an “exempt” position they can hire whoever they want to hire. They don’t have to interview other people. It’s not a unique thing to this job.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:58 pm
It’s hard to find good help that can actively supervise nobody.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:01 pm
Re: RTA job: How many people were interviewed for the RTA job? How long was the position posted? Was anyone fired or moved to make room?

Re: State job: it was redefined after the Speaker’s guy was interviewed?! Sounds pretty shady, even by Illinois standards. They should have redefined it before the interview. Was anyone fired or moved to make room?

Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:04 pm
I can’t figure why Quinn would roll over for a Madigan hack.

It’s not like they’re allies in the GA. Quinn has no primary opponent.

What’s in it for Quinn? I don’t get it.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:06 pm
===What’s in it for Quinn?===

Give MJM what he wants and you will still have trouble dealing with him. Don’t give MJM what he wants and you have no idea the trouble he could cause.

TII

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:08 pm
In other words, it’s kinda like a protection racket.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:09 pm
Aren’t supervisors a little low on the totem pole to be exempt, under Rutan. I thought there were a few restrictions left, that is, some connection, however remote, to policy-making. Sounds like this guy is more like the agency equivalent of a PSA supervisor, that is, someone who implements policy through subordinates.

Or is Rutan becoming extinct in Illinois state govt in practical terms. Wouldn’t be surprising.

Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:11 pm
Yeah, I can see that Rich.

I think if Quinn had a solid, coherent, legislative agenda he could minimize Madigan’s clout.

Because as many have pointed out in the past, the only vote that Madigan really cares about is the first one of each session — for Speaker.

Having said that, the dude is really good at what he does. A reasonably fiscally conservative Dem who is progressive on social issues is right in my wheelhouse.

They used to be called Illinois Republicans, lol.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:16 pm
They dont even pretend anymore. geez

Comment by RonOglesby Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:17 pm
=== In other words, it’s kinda like a protection racket ===

Tammany Hall ain’t got nothin on dis guy.

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:21 pm
Sad thing is MJM doesn’t care what any of us think about it, either.

Comment by Curious Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:28 pm
=== In other words, it’s kinda like a protection racket ===

lol

Instaed of “comin’ by ev’ry tree weeks”, the Speaker makes sure the Direct Deposit is made, and all is ok.

“Yeah, it appears my friend didn’t get his check. That makes me a bit… upset … I do ‘tings’ sometimes a bit messed up when ‘tings’ upset me .. Can ya check if dare was a mistake …”

lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:33 pm
It could be worse - Patrick Ward could be supervising someone. By giving him a job supervising nobody (for now), at least he is only taking a salary rather than impacting somebody else’s work.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:35 pm
And you wonder why Illinois is broke. Hire people that aren’t needed its management like this that has us billions in debt.

Comment by Fed up Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:35 pm
“Patrick Ward was hired . . . for a $70,000 post that was redefined after he was interviewed.” “Officials say . . . his background qualified him for the job”"

Anybody can qualify for a job that is “redefined” to fit their qualifications! What a load of horse manure.

Comment by Joan P. Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:41 pm
==In other words, it’s kinda like a protection racket.==

For those who don’t understand what you meant by “TII.”

Comment by Anon. Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:42 pm
Regarding the son-in-law:

It seems that he may be really bad at his job.

He’s been accused of harassment (which may be pay back aimed at his father in law or may be real).

In any case, the RTA thought enough of it to spend money teaching him how to get along with people.

http://www.suntimes.com/22623009-761/madigan-son-in-law-1-of-2-rta-officials-in-harassment-probe.html

Comment by Alonso Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 3:00 pm
HEY ILLINOIS VOTE THEM OUT>>>YES YOU CAN DO THIS

Comment by bunny Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 3:26 pm
–HEY ILLINOIS VOTE THEM OUT>>>YES YOU CAN DO THIS–

Yeah, the Cap Letters crowd always brings a lot to the party.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 3:36 pm
what about the chair of appropriations (in the House) daughter and son…at METRA …ppl say some guy named ROCKY at Metra is the door for these polticos..how does that happen?….wait and his daughter supervises another state reps husband who is a security guard?? oh com’on already,,,Can anyone say “finally” RM is right is a RACKET!!

Comment by Some people call me Maurice Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 3:37 pm
I wish I could lol about this but, really, what’s so funny?

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 3:47 pm
oops Try again
Rich, I think you are at least two digits short in your headline.

Comment by Very Old Soil Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 4:06 pm
===you are at least two digits short===

Wouldn’t be the first time.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 4:10 pm
I wanted to ask if “part 3648″ was an accurate number. I do recognize there are many incidents such as this around the state.

Comment by Levois Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 4:26 pm
=====It could be worse…at least he is only taking a salary rather than impacting somebody else’s work.=====

Um, he is impacting my work, in that I will have to work harder to be able to retire because I have to pay more taxes, to get Illinois out of debt, etc., etc. and so forth

Comment by 32nd Ward Roscoe Village Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 4:36 pm
“In other words, it’s kinda like a protection racket.”

“Um, he is impacting my work, in that I will have to work harder to be able to retire because I have to pay more taxes, to get Illinois out of debt”

“Now the guy’s got Mikey as a partner. Any problems, he goes to Mikey. Trouble with the bill? He can go to Mikey. Trouble with the cops, deliveries, Patty, he can call Mikey. But now the guy’s gotta come up with Mikey’s money every week, no matter what. Business bad? *** you, pay me. Oh, you had a fire? *** you, pay me. Place got hit by lightning, huh? *** you, pay me.”

Yeah, it’s *EXACTLY* like a protection racket, except that PQ gets the protection, and all the rest of use get to pony up the cash.

It’s enough to make one cynical.

Comment by Chris Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 4:56 pm
As with many of these political hires, in addition to the dubious method of hiring him, one wonders exactly what he’ll do for his $70K. In my experience very little.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 5:19 pm
yet another finger in th eye of the taxpayers….

The clout rich Madigan machine will have to end some day, but not soon

Comment by Plutocrat03 Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 6:29 pm
What’s the job title?

Comment by In_The_Middle Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 6:31 pm
===What’s the job title?===

He was offered the “Food and Beverage” job.

Now, I think he is the “Entertainment Director of the Tangiers”…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 6:40 pm
Willy…. lol

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 4:23 am