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* No surprise…
Doug Scott is out as chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission.
Scott was among the first wave of former Gov. Pat Quinn appointees removed from their positions in Gov. Bruce Rauner’s first full day as governor yesterday, a Rauner spokesman confirmed.
Quinn reappointed Scott as head utility regulator in Illinois, but he was never confirmed. The Rauner spokesman said there’s no word yet on who will be named to take his place.
In the meantime, outgoing commissioner John Colgan is chairing today’s meeting, an ICC spokeswoman said.
* No surprise…
Illinois State Fair manager Amy Bliefnick is out after 10 years in the job.
Bliefnick confirmed Wednesday she received her notice from the office of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. Bliefnick, who was appointed by Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2005, said she would remain on salary through Jan. 31 but that her final day would be Monday.
* I’m sure the Tribune editorial board will be up in arms if Jaffe isn’t reappointed…
Rauner Tuesday revoked the appointment of Illinois Gaming Board Chairman Aaron Jaffe, who had been reappointed to the post by former Gov. Pat Quinn in August 2013 but never reconfirmed by the Illinois Senate.
Senate Democrats said Tuesday Rauner’s action means Jaffe is out, leaving the Gaming Board without enough members to do business.
Or does Jaffe instead serve until “a successor is appointed and qualified,” as described on the state’s website about the job?
Asked Wednesday morning if he is still chairman of the Gaming Board, which regulates casinos and video gambling in Illinois, Jaffe said: “I have no idea.”
“I haven’t received any emails, telephone calls or anything else,” Jaffe said.
Rauner said yesterday that all of the appointments are under review and some could be resubmitted. He didn’t seem to be aware of the fact that the Gaming Board doesn’t have a quorum.
* I expect more stories like this one…
A Bloomington man is left wondering what happened to his state appointment.
Among the nearly 200 state appointments Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has nixed was that of Dan Deneen as a court-appointed public guardian, a post he was first appointed to by the last Republican governor, George Ryan in 2002.
Deneen told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin, there should be no politics involved.
“Fifty years ago it was a political position where a state Senator would nominate one of his friends as public administrator to handle some of these probate estates and receive nice fees, but that’s no longer the case,” Deneen said, adding he’s not paid by the state but from family estates.
“That’s the crazy thing, it doesn’t cost the state a dime,” Deneen said.
Deneen added his appointment was backed by state Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington). He’s asking local lawmakers and other court officials to try to figure out what happened.
Again, Rauner may resubmit some of these folks.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 11:55 am
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===He (Rauner) didn’t seem to be aware of the fact that the Gaming Board doesn’t have a quorum.===
Governing.
You need to be thoughtful in governing.
You can be rash and brash in campaigning.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 11:58 am
Rumor going around some of the Friday firings are being rethought. I cannot confirm it from a 3rd source.
Comment by Downstate GOP Faithless Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 12:01 pm
Has there been any official (or unofficial) announcement for Director of Insurance? I know Boron is out, but unclear who the replacement is. Lots of rumors floating.
Comment by Empty Chair Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 12:03 pm
“Z” see Rich’s Slow Down post.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 12:06 pm
Empty Chair: James Stephens is acting Director.
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 12:12 pm
I’m not going to read too much into this, but this is a small number of positions, and Rauner has had since early November to research them. Two months. Very sloppy staff work. Would the staff get away with this sloppiness if they were working for a hedge fund. Or are the expectations lower because, well, it’s the government. Nobody expects much.
Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 12:14 pm
No surprise but Doug Scott is a huge loss. He was the best ICC chair in decades - fair and effective. Unfortunately the Quinn personnel failures included not getting him confirmed to even his seat. Ugh.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 12:20 pm
If you look through the list of names, some A&E obvious ones that will likely be renominated. But, if you got your job by appointment you shouldn’t be shocked when the new boss, who ran saying he was going to change things, moves towards changing things. Especially when his predecessor pulled the last minute stunts he did.
Comment by Anonymoiis Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 12:23 pm
I am looking for the complete list of Quinn’s last minute appointees–anyone know where I can find it (online)? Thanks.
Comment by Pius Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 12:26 pm
Good to see Jaffe out. He seemed more intent on creating rather than solving problems.
Expect him to throw a fit about it, threaten litigation, etc.
Comment by Gooner Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 12:36 pm
I think the Tribune editorial will do whatever Rauner tells them to do.
Comment by JD Salander Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 12:37 pm
Doug Scott is the best public official in the state. This shows me all I need to know about Gov. Rauner.
Comment by Try-4-Truth Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 1:13 pm
When 2 PG/PAs (the positions are typically held by one person) who were from the “wrong party” (read GOP) were dumped from their positions unceremoniously when Blagojevich was elected (see Lake and Will counties for the best examples) 2 highly capable and accomplished long term public guardians/admininstrators were out and folks w/little knowledge or understanding of the positions were installed. I didn’t hear a peep from anyone then - no whining. Dan Deneen is quite capable and it is wrong he should be replaced. The world is unfair.
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 1:15 pm
Here’s hoping the new fair manager can line up more and more lucrative corporate sponsorships. Pretty weak list here compared to other states.
Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 1:33 pm
For those shocked at the personnel moves by Governor Rauner, please reread the title of this post. This is how it goes in government. When a new boss comes in, the old bosses people could be fired, regardless of how qualified one might be. No story here. Please move along.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 1:39 pm
=== - Anon - Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 1:39 pm:
For those shocked at the personnel moves by Governor Rauner, please reread the title of this post. This is how it goes in government. When a new boss comes in, the old bosses people could be fired, regardless of how qualified one might be. No story here. Please move along.
===
Oh I see. So Bruce “Shake up Springfield” Rauner is not different than any other politician? I’ll be sure to hold him to that standard and not the one he told us to hold him to during the campaign.
Good people who do great work for the taxpayers are being fired because they were appointed by the wrong governor. I understand that is how it works. But, it says, to me anyway, that Bruce Rauner is out for himself, his party, and their interests. He’s not different. He’s more of the same.
Comment by Try-4-Truth Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 1:45 pm
Rauner’s party is the Rauner Party. Plenty of Democrats will continue on and plenty will be appointed.
Comment by The Purple Sun Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 1:52 pm
It’s important to keep in mind the loyalty of the people replaced is likely to the man, not the agency. That doesn’t make them bad people and it doesn’t make the Rauner team bad for moving on from them. It does matter who wins.
Comment by Downstate GOP Faithless Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 2:10 pm
This is exactly how it goes when private equity takes over a company to flip it: you get people out the door en masse without really looking at whether they add value or not, or at the individual’s merit.
When you run a company for the long term, you look at each individual’s merit and value, and actually try to develop their value.
We’ll still see what kind of private business model Rauner is using.
But, yes, no one in an appointed position should be surprised at the move.
Comment by the Other Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 2:19 pm
I love Doug Scott. I hope he finds a great job — preferably in the public sector, where he can keep on serving the people of this state.
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 3:01 pm
==This is exactly how it goes when private equity takes over a company ==
…or every other governor’s position, President, NFL Head Coach, village manager, etc, etc,
Comment by Anonymoiis Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 3:04 pm
Day 2 folks. All sides reacting too quickly.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 3:04 pm
===or every other governor’s position, President, NFL Head Coach, village manager, etc, etc, ===
Exactly. Some of you people are really stretching here.
Either you aren’t old enough to remember the last party change, or you are and you’re being deliberately obtuse. So, either you need to learn more or calm down more.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 3:11 pm
Many of you that are “shocked and appalled” by the firings have to understand that Governor Rauner will likely have a very different agenda when it comes to how these agencies are administered. These Directors are required to implement the policies and agenda items of the Governor. It comes as no surprise that Rauner would want people in those positions that are committed to those goals. For example, if Rauner wanted a more deregulated gaming industry, why in the world would he keep Jaffe on board? (not saying that he does, just using this as an example)
Comment by Hacksaw Jim Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 3:24 pm
@Anonymoiis,
It would be nice if you read more than just the first part of one sentence of my post. I gave two possibilities: that Rauner is treating the state like he would a company that he will flip in a few years, or like a long term running concern. And I added, “We’ll still see what kind of private business model Rauner is using.”
Comment by the Other Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 3:29 pm
=== Oh I see. So Bruce “Shake up Springfield” Rauner is not different than any other politician? ===
Sigh. Really?
Rauner has 2 choices. Keep them or fire them. Not much room for nuance. He keeps people enmeshed in the ways of Quinn and what does that get him? It is a common action in gov’t and business and you want to flog him? Denver just fired their entire coaching staff. What, you just get rid of the coach and keep his staff on?
Seriously, get a clue.
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 3:31 pm
== What, you just get rid of the coach and keep his staff on?==
I remember the Bears trying to force their head coach candidates to keep certain coordinators and systems. One candidate laughed at that, and became Arizona’s coach instead. Another candidate agreed to go along with it, and it turned into a dumpster fire for two years.
Comment by Anonymoiis Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 3:39 pm
So, business as usual, and that’s fine with all the “shake-up Springfield” folks. Ok then. Yes, I’m old enough to remember the last party change (not the one before it, however) and I am being obtuse. Just pointing out that Bruce Rauner is a run of the mill politician. Nothing more. He just has a lot more money than most. So from here on out, I really don’t want to hear how he has a “different approach” or he’s going to “shake-up Springfield”. It’s the same game. The uniforms just changed. Let’s try to keep that in mind.
Comment by Try-4-Truth Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 3:42 pm
T4T, this is a state. It has laws. It has agencies with directors. There are certain physical and legal realities. ANYTHING Rauner does will have to do with the activities of the state. In that regard, there will be business as usual. You are trying to equate that to some ominous lack of originality. Sheesh - he will address the GA in a state of the state address. OMH, BUSINESS AS USUAL!!!
Give us an example of where Rauner could shake things up regarding the original post. Please describe the various choices Rauner has in dealing with existing directors. Please explain how one decision is business as usual and another is shaking up Springfield.
It shouldn’t be hard for someone as astute as you are.
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 5:10 pm
What about Bradley Hart, Healthcare & Family Sevices Inspector General, is he going to make the cut?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 5:18 pm
For that matter, what about other IG’s some of whom have been working beyond their last appointment.
Comment by south side Wednesday, Jan 14, 15 @ 5:31 pm