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Quinn appears to brush aside Rauner request for hiring freeze

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* 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…

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 12:38 pm

Comments

Quinn will harm himself out the door. He is a bitter man. He will end his political career as he started it - it’s all about the patronage.

Comment by Bogart Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 12:39 pm
==directed all cabinet members to manage their agencies in a responsible manner to ensure that the basic operations of the state continue.==

Comment by Anonymoiis Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 12:41 pm
I strongly suggest brushing aside all of Rauner’s requests.

Comment by William j Kelly Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 12:46 pm
Oh well. Just a few more pink slips for Bruce to send out in the coming months.

Comment by Aaron62287 Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 12:49 pm
Rauner called a press conference to talk about the possibility that Quinn’s administration might do something untoward. Rauner worked for (and won) the responsibility to manage the state’s affairs, when asked about that he just said budget bad and little else.

Even though the election is over it seems pretty clear that he intends to run against Pat Quinn for as long as he possibly can. The election is over and it’s time to move on to the next chapter, the old playbook has outlived its usefulness.

Comment by The Captain Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 12:53 pm
Sorry but this doesn’t seem that unreasable. Barring an emergency there haven’t been a big push the last 10 mo. Seems odd to need them filled In 45 or so days.

Comment by Mason born Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 12:55 pm
@bogart:

No need to worry, Bruce will hire alot of his friends.

As The Who sang:

“meet the new boss, same as the old boss”

Comment by Del Clinkton Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 12:55 pm
Doesn’t the Senate need to confirm those board appointments (or else Rauner can just pull them).

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 12:55 pm
Quinn is still the Governor the last time I checked.

Comment by lil enchilada Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 12:56 pm
I voted Quinn in for 4 years — not 3 years and 9 months.

Bruce, you’re free to blather all you want come Jan 12.

Until then put a cork in it.

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:01 pm
One Governor at a time, please.

Comment by Abe the Babe Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:01 pm
=== 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.” ===

Translation: Quinn to Rauner, stick it in your ear. I still have a couple of months left and I’m not doing you any favors.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:04 pm
It’s a good sound bite, its is not the best public policy.

Last time I checked, Pew Center was whacking Quinn pretty good for how long it takes state government to fill vacancies.

Illinois cannot stop filling vacancies for social workers, licensing investigators, and secretaries for two months.

I understand Rauner wants no shenanigans, and I agree with him.

The two gentlemen need to find a middle ground.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:04 pm
With some exceptions, I don’t think a freeze is necessary.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:11 pm
A freeze isn’t necessary but neither is a mass patronage dump. Quinn remains free to hire, and Rauner is free to publish all the hires after he takes office.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:13 pm
Will Rauner be a passive aggressive governor as well?

Comment by Archiesmom Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:19 pm
Is this saying ==Stop== or ==We know this happens every transition, just don’t overdo things and force us to make it an issue like the IDOT stuff that is already in court== ?

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:21 pm
Who says Quinn doesn’t have a sense of humor? That response made me chuckle.

Someone over at Governor Elect Headquarters should look into the total number of state employees compared to 10 years ago.

Comment by DuPage Dave Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:21 pm
This is a pretty stupid issue. Most of the employee positions in state government are union/Rutan-covered, and the Governor can’t simply ‘put’ his people in them. The rest are Rutan-exempt, at-will, and the new Governor can fire any of them at any time for any reason. Rauner is basically saying - don’t do what George Ryan did during the Blagojevich transition and doesn’t apparently realize that the law/rules/union situation has changed since then. As to the non-employee positions, the Governor is governor until the end of his term and has the right to fill any of those positions at any time, subject to Senate approval where required.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:42 pm
DuPage Dave - Absolutely correct! See page 7.

http://www2.illinois.gov/gov/budget/Documents/Budget%20Book/FY%202015%20Budget%20Book/FY%202015-2019%20Budget%20Presentation.pdf

Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:49 pm
Seriously Anonymous….what do you think Quinn has done for the past four years but “put” his friends in jobs they were not qualified for….union or not….that’s what the IDOT situation is all about…..and the union did nothing…..

Comment by Millie K. Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:52 pm
Hey Bruce, how about the $180,000 “retention bonus” just given the president of the U of I 6 months before his retirement? Trying to keep down the cost of tuition? really?

Comment by Filmmaker Professor Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:03 pm
Isn’t it everyone’s advice to: Ask nicely?
I think he just did.
It’s on the record. It was very civil.
The Governor didn’t reject it out of hand.
Pre-emptive? Maybe, but suggested nicely.
Life goes on.

Comment by A guy... Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:11 pm
I know BR was elected, but I didn’t know he was sworn in. Back off Brucie, your turn will come. I’m sure when you leave the office you will stop being governor the day after the election, right?

Comment by Finally Out (formerly Ready to Get Out) Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:24 pm
When Bruce bought companies, he could make this request while replacing the CEO or board members, and make it stick. Different world.

Comment by walker Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:27 pm
Wonder how many Quinn Fellows are about to get state jobs

Comment by Oneman Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:33 pm
Expect there won’t be any new patronage “hiring”. just some “transfers” into somewhat hidden / protected currently vacant positions for some loyal aides. I would expect hiring for front line coded positions to continue; many of the agencies are extremely understaffed on the frontlines. After Rauner takes over, he can try to find the moles that burrowed into the ranks but, quite frankly, with all of the budget problems Rauner will have big issues to resolve.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:48 pm
When Quinn came into office, there were 31 Public Guardian vacancies in the state. 6 years later, there are 28 vacancies. Not for a lack of viable candidates - those folks have sent in multiple requests to serve. Kankakee Cty remained vacant for years, despite a decent candidate applying. Finally got the appointment. Inexplicable.

Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:13 pm
Seems more appropriate to communicate by phone than by press conference. Campaign is over boys. Try to place nice.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:38 pm
==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.”==

To which I say, “Why didn’t you give this order 6 years ago?”

Comment by Anon. Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:39 pm
Be more worried about contracts being executed than people being hired.

At will employees will be gone, but the state can’t unsigned a contract.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:43 pm
===“Why didn’t you give this order 6 years ago?” ===

And that’s our comment of the day.

lol

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:44 pm
Quinn should be just as responsible in this regard as, say, the last three GOP governors were in the weeks before they left office.

Comment by anon Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:59 pm
Did anyone else notice how much Gov-Elect Bruce Rauner sounded like former Governor Rod Blagovich before he was Inaugurated? Vague platitudes of change, cleaning house, hiring freezes, attracting the best and brightest?

It’s pretty clear Rauner doesn’t know what he doesn’t know about government. Yes, Bruce purchased a lofty perch, but lets see how long he stays atop it?

My guess, Madigan and Cullerton eats his lunch!

Comment by Insideout Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 4:15 pm
It takes more than a year to get a position posted at our agency, 6 months later to interview, and four to five months after that before an offer of employment is made. This week we just started posting a lot of positions, and the executive office is pushing everyone to hurry on outstanding jobs.

Comment by George Washington Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 4:18 pm
Also, Rutan interviews are jokes. If they want someone in the position, once HR receives the other two scores for a the positions, they score their person just a little higher, but not enough to draw suspicion.

Comment by George Washington Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 4:23 pm
I think our department has been working under a hiring freeze for years. Can’t think of when the last newbie came aboard, and a large number have left. Duties are constantly being shuffled around to cover the loss of staff. As was stated earlier headcount is way down over the past decade causing big problems in delivering services. Sad to see another Gov who will disrespect and blame the front line workers.

Comment by Johnnie F. Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 4:26 pm
sound bite…that’s all.

Comment by facts are stubborn things Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 4:36 pm
Bruce needs to get real. As is Chicago, the patronage jobs are part of the landscape, only to a lesser extent. Quinn will probably try to protect the interests of his appointees. Is it right? No, but that’s how it goes. Hopefully no one will be standing to close to the bus.

Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 4:59 pm
Didn’t Blago freeze all state hiring 12 years ago when he first came into office?

Comment by Poster Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 5:09 pm
Governor Quinn is governor, until he’s not governor.

Governor-Elect Rauner will want his full 4 years too I’m guessing.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 5:30 pm
I have been watching several high visibility peeps at my Agency suddenly demote themselves to vacancies the next rung down the ladder in a transparent attempt to scurry out of the bright light of Regime change. As they are peeps who are clueless as to Front Line issues and also embrace Draconian Management 101, I eagerly await to see how this opening Rauner salvo all shakes out in January…

Comment by Worker Bee Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 6:14 pm
“I strongly suggest brushing aside all of Rauner’s requests.”

Good of you to take a strong stand FOR patronage, Bill.

You hoping to get some votes from the old Daley machine, aggrieved that they’re no longer on the City dole?

Comment by Chris Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 6:33 pm
Take TJ at DFPR for example. He partied with Quinn and his sons, now TG works at the state. Quinn burrowed TJ down in a union spot.

Rauner should kick those talentless Quinn-hacks out.

Comment by stop it Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 6:49 pm
Idot is hiring over a hundred HM’s as we speak. lol

Comment by foster brooks Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 7:00 pm
But the “HM’s” and others will be on probation, right? They can be let go without cause during that period. Surely, the probation for state jobs isn’t less than 3 months. If it is, that is one of the first things Rauner should change. The point is, Rauner needs to be able to find these folks–fast, then decide whether he needs to keep them while they are still on probation. And there are folks in CMS who would be able to tell him, if he can find them. But that means he needs some folks in his administration who understand the state’s byzantine personnel system. He’s cruising for a bruising if he thinks he can do all this with speed using a couple of young MBA’s, however sharp.

Maybe they can start by reading this blog. Plenty of good info daily, if they know how to read it.

Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 7:25 pm
- Cassandra -

That’s another of those “it depends” answers. If the people now scattering into the rank and file were previously certified in a rank and file position and were smart enough to arrange to just take a “temporary assignment” to a political job, they could have a secure bolt-hole to go back to where they couldn’t be touched. Don’t know if anyone in the current administration was smart enough to plan that far ahead … or if anyone saw an election day loss coming and was wise enough to arrange a move about 4-5 months ago.

And to be honest, in the overall scheme of things, rooting those people out of non-policy making jobs won’t make any significant difference in the long run. It might score some PR talking points but end up costing the State a large amount of money. Remember the “35″ that Blago canned his first day? I knew some of them; in the end, they were vindicated by the courts …

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 11:20 pm
This man me of the movie American Hustle and Blago/Donald Trump. Remember when the Sheek borrows the plane to investigate “corruption”. Bruce says he is going to run the state like a business, shut it down, rewrite everyone’s union contracts, and take on the union bosses. Does he realize that a few bad apples in the Republican Party was sued and Rutan was implemented because of it? Practice what you preach man!

Comment by Haley8690 Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 11:44 pm
Sorry for the above quote–edited this time@

This man reminds me of the movie American Hustle and a hybrid version Blago and Donald Trump. Remember when the Sheek borrows the plane to investigate “corruption” in the movie? This may actually happen. Bruce says he is going to run the state like a business, shut it down for two weeks to rewrite everyone’s union contracts, and take on the union bosses. Does he realize that bad apples in the Republican Party were sued and Rutan was implemented because of it? Another Shackman Decree is on its way….

Comment by Haley8690 Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 11:50 pm
RNUG @ 11:20 PM:

I’m thinking it might be a bit more - thorough - than in the past. Indications are that this “isn’t your Father’s transition” from R to D or D to R, where most lower-level politically-connected types were left alone.

My prediction: at first, *extensive* reorganization and outsourcing to show “something’s being done,” and also in part, to root out the Blago/Quinn-ites who have burrowed in since ‘03. Then, telling the union “how its going to be” which means at a minimum, flat or even reduced wages, significant loosening of work rules, elimination of promotional “rights” to higher-level jobs, and the real crusher, elimination of bumping rights for laid-off or reorganized out union employees.

Comment by Algonquin J. Calhoun Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 5:47 am
“Gov. Quinn….pay no attention to the man with little to no experience to even be Gov. Elect. Rauner was handed everything he ever had with the help of those who are already in the know. Keep up the good work, sir”

Yours truly
Jonathon Monken, Director of the Illinois State Police, hmmm I mean, Director of IEMA.

Comment by Not in the Know Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 7:02 am
I suspect this is just the opening shot of much more to come. Once Governor numerous positions will remain unfilled and the funds for those positions will be applied to the debt at the end of the fiscal year. It won’t matter if services are not provided or requirements are not completed. The reason for the lack of services will be blamed on overly restrictive union rules which will have to be changed or completely eliminated like in Wisconsin.

That is how it was done in Indiana and it of course saved money. Welcome to the future folks, for good or bad this is what the people of Illinois voted for.

Comment by Rod Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 7:52 am
I agree the The Governor Elect, Bruce Rauner, made a simple request of the still current Governor Pat Quinn, and given the recent past that has surfaced about political hirings in IDOT, (over 30 in the building I work in) it was a just a management statement to hopefully avoid any transition Pain to Pat Quinn actually. Yes when Rauner is sworn in he can clean out non-union positions just made up, (as a few were here.) Rauner is a large business businessman, the state is very similar to a large business and can likely benefit from being run as such. JMO

Comment by REPUB IN DEM OFFICE Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 9:32 am
@Rod:

Union rules were not eliminated in Wisconsin. Period.

Scott was too testicularly challenged to take on the Police, Firefighters, and Prison workers. They are all still Unionized.

Comment by Del Clinkton Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 9:55 am