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* Press release…
Building on a strong team of experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker appointed Jerry Costello II to serve as the Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
“With farming playing an important role in his family’s history and a career of public service, there’s no better person to lead the Illinois Department of Agriculture at this time than Jerry Costello,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “Our agriculture sector drives our state’s economy to the tune of $19 billion every year, and I’m confident that Jerry’s deep experience will bring a steady hand to the department and continue the impressive growth of this vital industry.”
“I’m honored to continue serving the people of Illinois and excited to take the helm at the department I once oversaw in the state legislature,” said Jerry Costello II, Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “As a leading producer of soybeans, corn and swine, Illinois is home to the most dedicated farmers in the world, and I look forward to partnering with them to grow our state’s agricultural economy.”
Background
Jerry Costello II will serve as the Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.* He joins the Governor’s cabinet from his position as the Director of Law Enforcement for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which he had held since May 2019. Costello represented the 116th district in the Illinois House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019, during which he served as chair the Agriculture and Conservation committee. He also served on the Pritzker-Stratton Agriculture Transition Committee. A graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Costello decided to serve his country by joining the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. Not long after signing up, he and his unit saw combat during Operation Desert Storm. Following his military service in Iraq, Costello returned to Illinois where he became a police officer and started a family. Initially a patrolman, he would rise through the ranks and become assistant chief of police. Born and raised in Southern Illinois, his family has a small farm in Franklin County, producing crops and raising cattle. Costello lives in Smithton with his wife Lori and their three children.
Costello replaces John Sullivan, who was forced to resign after he admitted opening that now-infamous “rape in Champaign” email from Mike McClain. Sullivan denied having read the entire email.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 28, 20 @ 3:12 pm
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Good to see there is no patronage in this administration. Establishment Dems must be furious JB isnt hiring their people. I assume Mr. Costello will finally shut down his campaign committees now that he has been able to get gainful employment outside of political environs.
Comment by Rod's Cameo Page Friday, Feb 28, 20 @ 3:19 pm
=== Good to see there is no patronage in this administration.===
He’s *literally* an appointee of the Governor, and any governor can choose their cabinet.
To the appointment, looks good. My hope is that Ag in the state will continue to be a focus of the administration, and reinforce the “one Illinois” thought(s) this Governor is pushing, against those who want to divide Illinois, led by downstate legislators.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 28, 20 @ 3:26 pm
The old patronage system needs to die…finally and completely. The input of women and people of color needs to be treated as essential to decision making — not as some token show of diversity.”
Comment by Rod's Cameo Page Friday, Feb 28, 20 @ 3:28 pm
Um, he was literally an appointee already. He just changed jobs.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Feb 28, 20 @ 3:31 pm
How is appointing the former House Agriculture Committee Chair an example of “the old patronage system”? If anything, it is a major plus.
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Feb 28, 20 @ 3:38 pm
Directors of State Departments are the definition of patronage, as they should be.
Should the Governor select his Department heads from ziprecruiter?
Comment by don the legend Friday, Feb 28, 20 @ 3:39 pm
==- don the legend - Friday, Feb 28, 20 @ 3:39 pm:==
2021 budget address: “And I saved money posting on Ziprecruiter by using podcast codes!”
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Feb 28, 20 @ 3:46 pm
Ignore the troll.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 28, 20 @ 3:47 pm
Maybe the Governor should have dipped into the Cook County Farm Bureau instead of someone from well you know a farming community.
https://cookcfb.org/
Comment by Nagidam Friday, Feb 28, 20 @ 4:08 pm
Good Choice. Hope he does well.
He will be a great voice for Farmers.
And of course Patronage had a little influence on this choice. So? Its the Governors choice and he chose well.
Comment by SOIL M Friday, Feb 28, 20 @ 4:42 pm