Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

* UPDATED x1 * Claps stepping down

Posted in:

Illinois
Updated Posts

* From an internal IDHR e-mail…

Dear Colleagues:

I have had the profound privilege and honor to serve as Director of the Illinois Department of Human Rights for over thirteen years. It is, I readily admit, bittersweet, as I announce today that I will be leaving IDHR on June 30th.

Working together we have had many, many achievements in those thirteen years. I have been most heartened by the depth of kindness and support you have all shown me as Director–and I hope that you have felt the same in return. I have said it dozens of times in the past—I am deeply proud of your collective work, professionalism and ability to help people—people who come to our Agency for assistance when they need it the most.

I hope that you will continue to support the next Director, who will be announced later this afternoon, as the new Director undertakes this important role. I can think of no one better suited for this job and to lead the agency that I, honestly, very much love.

I wish you all the very best—and please know my kind thoughts and prayers are with each of you!

Sincerely,

Rocco Claps

Claps was a Quinn holdover, but I’m told this was a mutual decision. No ill will.

*** UPDATE *** Claps just confirmed that he’s heading to Hillary Clinton’s campaign.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 11:08 am

Comments

Claps left a history of investigative problems at IDHR. Good riddance.
I can only hope he doesn’t get replace by somebody worse.

Comment by Qui Tam Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 11:16 am
Now that’s a classy way to bow out. Godspeed, Rocco.

Comment by Agricola Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 11:29 am
I’ve heard from many current and former dhr workers that Rocco was personally a nice and good person. But I’ve also heard of some real personnel screw ups that occurred on his watch by his subordinates. Moral is in the gutter over there and the human rights investigator 1 title is a revolving door.

Comment by steward Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 11:30 am
Claps was a Blago holdover. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 11:35 am
Rocco was a fantastic Director. You will be greatly missed…..Best of luck to you…

Comment by GloriaF Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 11:52 am
Rocco Claps. What else does he do?
(I’m booing myself for that one - such a juvenile)

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 12:00 pm
Congrats, Rocco. Great guy, great job.

Comment by Tom Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 12:13 pm
The current IDHR chief legal counsel was forced on Claps by the Administration. She left each of her previous agencies (idot, cdb, and CMS) under less than favorable circumstances. One IDHR employee tells me that she’s created similar havoc at her current posting and made Claps decide to move on.

Comment by ExCMS Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 12:15 pm
He was a good guy.

Comment by Ghost Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 12:59 pm
===- Ghost - Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 12:59 pm:

He was a good guy.===

He’s stepping down, not stepping off.

Comment by A guy Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:03 pm
Claps is one of the best. He will be missed. Best of luck to him in whatever he does next.

Comment by Democrat Grrrl Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:33 pm
Not just a Quinn/Blago holdover, but a Madigan staffer.

Comment by Not It Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:37 pm
ExCMS - who is the current general counsel? Googled it, but couldn’t find anything.

Comment by Rasselas Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 1:55 pm
Our loss, H’s gain. Do good works Mr. Claps:)

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 2:56 pm
Rasselas - current CLC is Ngozi Okorafor

Comment by NIU Grad Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 3:43 pm
Rocco Claps is one of the best. He helped get every human rights bill passed over the past 13 years. He’s the real deal! Will be missed.

Comment by surgevoter Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 4:14 pm
of course he is heading to Hillary’s campaign! a great place to be.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Jun 17, 16 @ 4:53 pm