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* The company scored high in the licensing process, so whatevs…
A strip club owner was approved by the state Friday to sell medical marijuana from a West Loop storefront.
The approval of Perry Mandera’s Custom Strains came Friday, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced in a news release. The approval means Mandera, the owner of VIP’s A Gentleman’s Club, can open a dispensary in a vacant building at 1105 W. Fulton St.; the business will cater to military veterans.
* She has a degree from Cornell in environmental engineering and also has business experience in environmental engineering. She’s probably making less than her fellow graduating class, so, again, whatevs…
State payroll records reviewed by The Southern Illinoisan Springfield bureau show Emily Clamp was hired on Jan. 16 to a $70,008 per year job at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
While a Rauner spokeswoman says the 25-year-old is “well suited” for the position based on her college studies, her sister, Sarah Clamp, was political director of Rauner’s successful campaign for governor against Democrat Pat Quinn. […]
In her new post, Emily Clamp is a policy adviser at the IEPA, working on a clean power plan, said Rauner spokeswoman Katherine Kelly.
She certainly seems “well suited” and qualified for the job, and it is, after all, a political appointment. Yeah, he campaigned against some of Pat Quinn’s patronage moves, but I just can’t seem to get upset about this.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 1:31 pm
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Not even making blood stir, let alone boil. If she’s not qualified…plenty of people will tell us soon enough. If she is, you won’t hear anything.
Let’s hope for silence.
Comment by A guy Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 1:39 pm
The difference is most of Quinn’s didn’t have the qualifications….
Comment by Just Because Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 1:39 pm
Hiring people who see eye to eye with the Gov. on political issues is one thing.
Hiring family members seems to cross a line.
Republicans correctly expressed outrage over things like this.
The thing to keep in mind also is not just that this is a suspect move. It is one from a guy who said he was going to take a sledgehammer to government.
No bid contracts to people like Arduin and hiring family of advisers sure is not my idea of taking a sledgehammer to things.
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 1:40 pm
“A strip club owner was approved by the state Friday to sell medical marijuana from a West Loop storefront”
They did this to save time so any politicians visiting the establishment can deny inhaling and having sex.
Comment by Empty Suit Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 1:45 pm
Like who cares, like what is really true, like what IS ‘right and wrong’, like is America really even important, like whatever.
Comment by William j Kelly Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 1:45 pm
While I agree it’s not a blood boil thing, but this is a PR issue. It doesn’t take much to turn public opinion against the Governor, especially in a state that seemingly voted out the other guy, more than changed from blue to red (apologies for the bad cliché there)
Comment by Downstate GOP Faithless Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 1:45 pm
When is a patronage job not a patronage job? When it is the winner’s patronage job.
Our dear leader’s campaign against cronyism was so much political puffery.
Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 1:45 pm
It’s Rauner’s shop.
Yeah, she’s someone’s sister.
Yeah, Rauner complained about cronyism.
Yeah, Rauner won.
If Bruce, personally, woukd stop with the Crony stuff for everyone else…
Whatever.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 1:46 pm
I agree with Gooner. I think taken on its own it wouldn’t bother me too much, but taken in conjunction with the “Shaking Up Springfield” rhetoric as well as everything else from recent (staff payroll especially), it just seems like the Gov. may have a bit of an image problem.
Comment by EZ Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 1:46 pm
=== It doesn’t take much to turn public opinion against the Governor,===
Says who? The guy has endless money to counter whatever comes. This ain’t gonna make a dent. And I don’t care whose sister she is. She’s obviously qualified for the job. Meh.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 1:48 pm
Rauner has had a busy month and has gotten a lot of criticism.
Some of it has been unfair. Yesterday’s move on unions? Heck, bashing union bosses was a major part of his campaign. He told us he would do it. Now some don’t like the move for policy reasons but that really can’t be surprised.
This hiring though? That’s the opposite of what he ran on. The criticism is more legit.
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 1:49 pm
==And I don’t care whose sister she is. She’s obviously qualified for the job.==
I agree. I couldn’t care less. Only issue I have is that he railed against this sort of stuff. But, we all knew that he would have to eat his words. He’s eating them, but the taste won’t linger.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 1:50 pm
I’m not overly concerned with the hire however Rauner brought this on himself. Rauner backed himself into a corner and now he’s going to have to play defense for all the things he’s doing that he complained about. This just adds to the growing narrative about him (staff salaries, $120K contract, etc.).
Comment by MyTwoCents Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 1:52 pm
Wonder what the rules are about dispensary cross promotion….
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 1:53 pm
Hey, this is really fun, liberating, I don’t need to care about anything either, I think I’ll just go drive the wrong way down the street going 95! Like whatever!
Comment by William j Kelly Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 1:54 pm
I would ask the question, “how many 25 year olds with only college studies and no related work experience start work at IEPA for $70k+?”
Comment by Boiled Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 1:54 pm
if she can do the job and is qualified who cares? Republican or Democrat black or white….let her prove her skills. Time will tell.
Comment by no suprise Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 1:55 pm
Is she qualified? Maybe? What did Michael Shakman and his federal hiring monitor think of her? You know - the two guys Rauner said he would have by his side when making appointments?
Comment by Dr X Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 1:58 pm
The hire doesn’t make my blood boil, Rauner’s hypocrisy does.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 1:58 pm
==I would ask the question, “how many 25 year olds with only college studies and no related work experience start work at IEPA for $70k+?”==
You say that as if she has a degree in philosophy or general studies, and just graduated last week. From the article, she has an Ivy League degree in environmental engineering, directly relevant to the agency, and given her age has presumably been out of college and in the workforce gaining experience for 3-4 years. Meh.
Comment by Anonymoiis Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 2:01 pm
I’d also add: how many Cornell grads are making 70k at age 25?…I would guess most are. More actually.
Comment by Anonymoiis Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 2:03 pm
I’d say a 25 year old with no work experience for a $70,0000 job — might qualify as “an overpaid state worker???”
Comment by kimocat Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 2:03 pm
===with no work experience===
She has work experience.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 2:03 pm
Just another ‘overpaid’ state worker for the Governor to count. He’s padding his own stats! *snark*
Comment by Left Leaner Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 2:08 pm
Whoa, whoa, whoa, miller, keep it clean, keep it clean!
Comment by William j Kelly Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 2:08 pm
===The hire doesn’t make my blood boil, Rauner’s hypocrisy does.===
That I do agree with, however, she seems like a “civilian” that is qualified to be a patronage hire and a background that makes sense for the slot.
It’s their shop, there is hypocrisy in some, this one isn’t worth the time to hash out Rauner’s decisions.
Rauner won.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 2:16 pm
Let’s hope the Tribbies are on the trail as to whether Sarah Clamp put in a word for her sister with Rauner. That would be scandalous, as we know.
Mandera rolls from trucking, to strip clubs, to boxers, and now to weed.
Dude should get his own reality show.
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 2:17 pm
Come on people, get some ‘Rauner stripper pot’ and chill, like whatever.
Comment by William j Kelly Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 2:18 pm
Well, as long as Rauner didn’t clout her into Cornell….
Comment by a drop in Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 2:22 pm
http://enve.cornell.edu/courses-and-degree-requirements
No fluff here. This stuff is hard. Cornell has a really good program.
She does not appear to be a “creates spreadsheets and plants trees” political hire type that Pat Quinn was infamous for.
————–
“I’d say a 25 year old with no work experience for a $70,0000 job — might qualify as “an overpaid state worker???””
This is an engineering school graduate. You are going to pay some decent money for someone with her qualifications.
Comment by Judgment Day (on the road) Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 2:29 pm
Is this position in the union?
Comment by Past the Rule of 85 Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 2:43 pm
“Nothing to see here folks. Keep on moving”.
Comment by Buzzie Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 2:51 pm
I thought the dispensaries were to serve the public in the manner of a pharmacy. Exactly how does one focus solely on serving veterans?
Comment by relocated Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 2:59 pm
yeah, whatever. lots of people are against patronage until they get elected to a position that has patronage privileges. it’s more notable when they don’t take advantage of it…
Comment by bored now Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 3:18 pm
Personally I love it when politicians hire competent people. I really don’t care who the hire is related to and what they did on the campaign trail. The questions are; are they qualified for the job and will they serve the taxpayers well?
It’s not like putting a communications or campaign director in charge of a finance authority.
Comment by Ahoy! Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 3:18 pm
There are 1,000 more qualified people that would take this job for 60,000. How is this saving my tax dollars?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 3:22 pm
Sure glad there is no more business as usual. I’m sure she got her job based solely on her
qualficaions, not political clout, because that would be business as usual.
Comment by anon Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 3:34 pm
What is the big deal…there are dozens of families in Springfield that have for several generations work for the gov because Mom or Dad or Uncle Joe or whoever made a call.
Comment by scott aster Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 3:35 pm
Scott, I don’t think you’re doing Rauner any favors there.
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 3:37 pm
Whether she’s qualified or not, her parents got her the job and it just makes Rauner a hypocrite.
I’m sure she’ll do a fine job but that’s not really the point.
Comment by PMcP Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 3:40 pm
===I’m sure she’ll do a fine job but that’s not really the point.===
lol
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 3:41 pm
PM, the legend continues
Comment by North Shore Joe Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 3:48 pm
I’m not a fan of Rauner’s hiring to date, but I think you have a hard time making the case that this is an abuse of power or unethical. She is in a policy position which is supposed to be filled by people the Governor can trust, she has a relevant degree from a quality university, and the salary appears reasonable. There are much better examples of Rauner’s hiring hipocracy.
Comment by Pelonski Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 3:49 pm
Just caught this now,’Scored high on the licensing process,’ your killing it today miller!
Comment by William j Kelly Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 3:52 pm
She seems to be making just under the mean salary of all Environmental Engineers, and more specifically, Environmental Engineers that works for state government:
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes172081.htm
Of course, one could argue that a 25 year old should be making well under the mean, but it is safe to say she isn’t making a crazy amount for that profession.
Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 4:04 pm
I agree with an earlier post: far too many of Quinn’s hires had experience that was limited to just a few months working for DPI, then got an internship or Dunn Fellowship, then got a state job. This is entirely different.
Comment by Just Me Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 4:07 pm
@Judgement Day
=I’d say a 25 year old with no work experience for a $70,0000 job — might qualify as “an overpaid state worker???””=
The average University of Illinois (Urbana) new engineering graduate makes about $65K starting salary. Cornell graduates make a comparable, or slightly higher, amount. Women engineering graduates make above average salaries compared with male engineering graduates of the same qualifications. This lady could do far better elsewhere, if salary was her main consideration.
She has about three years experience, so she probably isn’t even in the top half of salaries for her education and experience.
She’s likely doing this because its her passion to improve environmental policy in Illinois, not money. she’s the kind of person you want to hire for this kind of job.
Comment by Arizona Bob Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 4:17 pm
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 3:41 pm:
===I’m sure she’ll do a fine job but that’s not really the point.===
lol===
It’s really hard to post anything after a gem like this one.
Comment by A guy Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 4:18 pm
Just Observing,
A new hire is making close to the average of the profession? That includes people with from zero to probably 30 years experience.
Most new hires don’t start anywhere near that.
I sure as heck didn’t when I entered my profession.
You just did a number on Rauner’s argument.
We went from a discussion that this was a bad hire because it is the friends and family plan, and now we get a serious wage issue.
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 4:18 pm
What is her experience with statewide clean energy policy making?
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 4:20 pm
What should she start at @Gooner?
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 4:35 pm
Demoralized,
I think it is pretty typical for a starting wage to be substantially lower than the average wage.
That’s the way it works in the private sector at least.
Given that Rauner wants to run the state like a business, that would seem to be something he would embrace.
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 4:38 pm
So what should the salary be? It was a simple question.
And she’s 25, has an engineering degree and has prior experience. Why should she be at “starting” salaries?
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 4:41 pm
Gooner, see Arizona Bob’s post. That is about average starting salary. And she’s not fresh out of college, so the average salary with a few years experience is likely higher. If she graduated from Cornell, taking a 70k job in Illinois is making less than what she could out East.
Comment by Anonymoiis Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 4:43 pm
Hmmnn Anonymoiis, who should I believe? The actual numbers posted, or some guy named “Arizona Bob” who has a well known far right agenda.
Tough call there, but I’m going to go with the published BLS numbers.
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 5:00 pm
The average salary for a 2012 Cornell graduate in engineering is more than $70,000. She’s been working for several years.
http://www.career.cornell.edu/resources/surveys/upload/Career-Services-2012-Postgraduate-Report-FINAL.pdf
Comment by 1776 Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 6:29 pm
Who knew that “Shakin’ up Springfield” meant hiring the relatives of your campaign staff- this guy is full of original ideas.
Comment by DuPage Dave Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 7:31 pm
1776,
Given that Cornell Engineering includes ten different fields, the average of that is pretty meaningless.
It is very likely that Computer Science pulls those numbers way up.
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 8:12 pm
A year ago, did any of us think that a Rauner win would mean we would be discussing his granting of no-bid contracts and friends and family hiring?
The idea that it is topic for discussion is diametrically opposed to the campaign he ran.
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 8:14 pm
Perry Mandera was a Republican Ward Committeeman back in the day. The West Side Bloc lives on!
Comment by Under Further Review Tuesday, Feb 10, 15 @ 11:24 pm