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* Some past Golden Horseshoe winners in here…
Gov. Pritzker Announces Staff Transitions
CHICAGO – Ahead of being sworn in to serve the state of Illinois for a second term, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following staff transitions.
Emily Miller will now oversee both of Governor Pritzker’s Policy and Legislative teams as Senior Advisor to the Governor for Policy and Legislative Affairs. Miller is an attorney who has previously served as Governor Pritzker’s deputy chief of staff for policy, and as a policy advisor to Governor Pritzker’s 2018 campaign. Prior to that, Miller directed policy and advocacy work at Illinois-based non-profit organizations where she specialized in issues related to economic mobility, early childhood education, fiscal policy, consumer protection, human services, and government accountability. Miller began her career in Illinois policy and politics after she graduated from the DePaul university college of law in 2006.
Chris Shallow returns to the Governor’s Office to serve as Legislative Director after serving as Political Director on the Governor’s 2022 reelection campaign. He previously served as Director of Public Engagement in the Office of Governor Pritzker. Before entering state government Shallow served as District Director for Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, and over the last decade has held management roles within numerous political and campaign organizations. He is a graduate of Northwestern University, a native Illinoisan, and a passionate White Sox fan.
Jordan Abudayyeh will begin a new role as Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Strategic Media, overseeing the Governor’s Communications team. Abudayyeh previously served as Governor Pritzker’s Press Secretary for his first term. Abudayyeh also served the same role on Pritzker’s 2018 gubernatorial campaign. Before entering politics, Abudayyeh was an award-winning political reporter for Springfield’s ABC affiliate WICS-TV, an anchor and producer for Naperville’s NCTV17, and an associate producer for Milwaukee’s WISN-TV. She received a degree in broadcast journalism and sociology from Marquette University.
Jason Rubin will begin a new role as Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Agency Strategy, overseeing the Governor’s Communications team. Rubin previously served as Governor Pritzker’s Deputy Communications Director, a role he has held since the governor’s inauguration. Prior to that, Rubin served as Deputy Communications Director on the governor’s 2018 campaign and held communications roles with New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development and Rep. Patrick Murphy’s 2016 U.S. Senate campaign in Florida. Rubin began his career in politics as the Director of Scheduling for U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. He is a graduate of Vassar College with a degree in political science.
Emily Bittner will begin serving as Senior Advisor to the Governor, overseeing a new portfolio including the Department of Innovation and Technology, the Illinois Tollway, the Illinois Racing Board, the Illinois Gaming Board, along with the Illinois Lottery. Previously, Bittner served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications. She also served as Chief of Strategy for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a role she began in 2017 after serving for three years at Chicago Public Schools, where she led the district’s communications and strategic efforts during the push for historic education funding reform. Bittner served as an adviser for Mayor Emanuel’s 2015 re-election campaign. Bittner previously led communications strategy serving as the chief spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, and the Democratic Governors Association. She began her career as a reporter at The Arizona Republic covering public safety. Bittner is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she earned degrees in journalism and political science.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 1:12 pm
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Good, strong moves by the governor, indeed Golden Horseshoe winners abound that list, also well earned.
I’ll be very interested in the redesign and overall messaging as some of these moves are pointed specifically to that task.
Congrats, all.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 1:23 pm
Do they get the double pay loyalty bonus?
Comment by Franklin Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 1:35 pm
Franklin asks a good question. We all know that the governor matched the government salaries for some senior staff with his own personal wealth. We knew wha those amounts were four years ago, but does anybody know what those people are making now? Rich, have you ever asked whether the governor has increased the amount he pays these senior staff out of his own pocket? its a relevant question, and one that the public deserves to know the answer for.
Comment by dr. jimmy Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 1:42 pm
Chris Shallow rocks!
Comment by Red Line Rambler Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 1:48 pm
Congratulations to all.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 1:50 pm
Now can we share what kind of raises they all got…starting with the CoS?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 1:56 pm
All state employees are kept up to date on the Illinois Comptroller website- the private matching, no, but the rest is very easily accessible.
Comment by MidwesternWorker Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 1:59 pm
===Do they get the double pay loyalty bonus?===
This was my first reaction to this story and I tried to convince myself I was a cynic, but yeah. What Franklin said.
Comment by Candy Dogood Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 2:06 pm
Will never understand why some of you are so pressed about the Governor saving the state money on salaries. Guess Rich is right, people will always find something to complain about. Also, I work on staff. The Gov’s office regularly shares updates on salaries with the GA, including the LLC.
Comment by LOL Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 2:08 pm
“Will never understand why some of you are so pressed about the Governor saving the state money on salaries.”
My understanding, and correct me if I am wrong, is that this is not a savings to tax payers, but a match. So whatever the selected senior staffer is scheduled to make based upon the appropriate pay scales as dictated by state guidelines the Governor matches it out of his own fortune.
Comment by wndycty Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 2:22 pm
@wndycty. That is an incorrect understanding. Patty Schuh joined Rauner’s staff in 2017 and made $170K as deputy chief of staff for communications. All of Pritzker’s deputy chiefs of staff made $175K when they started. Pritzker paid half of that.
Comment by Times Two Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 2:31 pm
Congrats Shallow. Well deserved for all.
Comment by Todd & Margo Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 2:38 pm
Congratulations on a great crew! Very excited for Jordan! She is a pro and will do a heck of a job in that role.
Also great to see the promotions of the hard working Emily Miller and Chris Shallow.
Comment by YESS Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 2:53 pm
Pay outside of the transparency of government is no good. Does his state legal staff double dip? If they do, they have client issues. If they don’t, isn’t that telling…
Comment by Priority Seating Friday, Dec 16, 22 @ 4:26 pm