Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Winters out, Hammers in

Posted in:

Illinois

* Press release…

Governor Bruce Rauner today announced appointments to the State Board of Health and Workforce Investment Board. In addition, Jennifer Hammer has been named Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, as Aaron Winters transitions out of the Administration. […]

Jennifer Walsh Hammer has been named Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy. Hammer brings years of experience in Illinois policy and private practice to the position. She is currently Special Counsel to the Governor and the Healthcare and Human Services Policy Adviser.

Previously, Hammer was the Executive Director of the Healthcare Council and Legal Counsel for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. Hammer is also an attorney and has spent a significant amount time in private practice at Giffin, Winning, Cohen & Bodewes.

In addition, Hammer is a former two-term elected Governor on the Illinois State Bar Association Board of Governors. She was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the Board of Character and Fitness. She is also a past President of the Central Illinois Women’s Bar Association and the Junior League of Springfield. She is the Second Vice President of the Sangamon County Bar Association and a board member of the City of Springfield Community Relations Commission.

Hammer earned her bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and law degree from Southern Illinois University. She lives in Springfield.

* I truly love me some Aaron Winters and I’m really sorry to see him go. Aaron is one of those rare beings: a smart wonk with a pleasant personality. People always smile when he walks into a room, even when he’s bringing bad news.

Needless to say, his job hasn’t been easy. But as a good friend of mine said last year, “If anybody can get us a deal, Winters can.” Unfortunately, no deal was to be gotten. I don’t put that on him. At all.

I’m not sure what he’s doing next, but he’ll be good at it. Count on it.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 2:12 pm

Comments

What? No Shake?

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 2:18 pm
Best of luck to Aaron Winters.

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 2:19 pm
Good luck…to both of them.

Comment by Tournaround Agenda Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 2:20 pm
— Governor Bruce Rauner today announced appointments to the State Board of Health and Workforce Investment Board. —

What about those appointments?

Comment by A Modest Proposal Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 2:21 pm
Winters. The best. That boy is going to be missed.

Comment by Wake up Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 2:34 pm
What of his wife who is the Assistant Director of DCEO, Andria Winters?

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 2:41 pm
A hostage released!

Comment by Anon Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 2:44 pm
===A hostage released! ===

Heh.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 2:49 pm
Good man. Best wishes to him. Unfortunately, the zealots are starting to get the upper hand in that shop.

Comment by Moe Berg Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 2:50 pm
Interesting background on Hammer. Giffen, Winning law firm been a long time political player … used to know some of the minor players there many decades ago.

Comment by RNUG Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 3:09 pm
Too bad. Best of luck to Aaron.

Comment by Alley Rabbit Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 3:47 pm
“Hammer was…Legal Counsel for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. Hammer is also an attorney…”

The governor’s communications staff could use an editor. Maybe tronc can loan them one?

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 3:53 pm
Aaron is one of the really good guys who also happens to be very talented. He’ll do great things and will be missed.

Comment by Reme Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 4:15 pm
It’s Hammer time!

Comment by Hedley Lamarr Friday, Jun 3, 16 @ 4:30 pm
Aaron Winters is the best! Good luck on your next chapter of public service!

Comment by SoILiberty Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 10:49 am