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* Sun-Times…
State Comptroller Susana Mendoza on Tuesday told an Illinois Senate committee she was unaware that one of her employees is listed on the city of Chicago’s do-not-hire list. […]
Patrick Haynes is a former 42nd Ward Department of Streets and Sanitation superintendent who resigned in lieu of being discharged on July 30, 2013, according to Haynes’ termination records obtained by the Sun-Times. He’s now employed with the comptroller’s office, listed as “staff administration” and is paid $70,000 a year, according to the comptroller’s website.
Asked about Haynes at one of the Senate’s budgeting committees’ hearings, Mendoza said Haynes “has a great deal of experience working for the City of Chicago, both in the Department of Planning and Development, also as a ward superintendent in the city of Chicago, I believe, for the 42nd Ward which is downtown Chicago.” Mendoza called him “my hire.” […]
State Sen. Chapin Rose, a Rauner ally, asked Mendoza whether she knew Haynes resigned in lieu of discharge.
“He resigned, but I’m not sure what you mean in lieu of discharge. Those are political appointees. I’m not sure you are aware how that works in the City of Chicago,” Mendoza said. “He’s also a former fireman and he is serving as a prevailing wage officer with our department as well. So his credentials are pretty impeccable.” […]
“I think there were some politics involved in that but there’s not a single issue of bad performance that you’ll find with Mr. Haynes,” Mendoza said.
If you click here, you’ll see all the talking points the Republicans used in the hearing. And those talking points didn’t just write themselves.
* From the comptroller’s office…
“Pat Haynes is a highly decorated Chicago Firefighter, serving in the line of duty for 14 years. He also worked for the Department of Planning, generating significant revenue for the City of Chicago. Governor Rauner and his surrogates should be ashamed for attacking a decorated firefighter on this day of all days when we recognize the firefighters who have died in the line of duty. We respect Pat Haynes’ decision to resign as ward superintendent when he found himself caught in a political tussle between an alderman and the mayor’s office.
The Comptroller will not take personnel advice from a governor who clouted 30 patronage hires into his administration from the previous Comptroller’s office and continues to employ: a DCFS director who botched a child neglect investigation in which a little girl died recently on his watch; an agency director who’s spent more than $200,000 of taxpayer money on vanity memberships; and a deputy governor who is getting paid $138,000 a year to hand out saplings at toll way plazas, essentially campaigning on the taxpayers’ dime.”
The fact remains that the guy is on the city’s do not hire list. That’s a problem no matter how he got on it.
* The other problem is that the SGOP questions overshadowed Mendoza’s testimony yesterday…
Presenting her FY 2018 budget proposal Tuesday, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza offered the lowest request for an appropriation level for the Illinois State Comptroller’s Office in 20 years.
“I was troubled when, earlier in the session, we saw agency directors unwilling to identify a single cut to their budgets before your appropriations committee,” Mendoza told members of the State Senate Appropriations II Committee. “I take the idea of shared sacrifice and accountability very seriously. I think it is the responsibility of every agency head, director and manager to identify whatever [General Revenue Fund] savings may exist. We’re prepared to lead that effort with the budget we present today.”
The savings will be accomplished through a combination of headcount management, operational savings, carpooling, stronger travel reimbursement policies and other cost-saving strategies.
* And up later today…
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza will testify before a joint meeting of the House Human Services Committee and the House Human Services Appropriation Committee Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.
The issue is Governor Rauner’s plan to quickly push through a consolidation of the number of Managed Care Organizations handling Illinois Medicaid patients from 12 to 4. Mendoza asks why the largest procurement in the state’s history — $9 billion a year — is being exempted from the state procurement code, meaning it will not be subjected to oversight from an independent procurement officer or the legislature during an unprecedented fiscal crisis for the state. The Governor argues that culling the herd of MCOs will save the state money, but experience in other states suggests giving citizens fewer choices will actually drive up costs. The plan deserves more scrutiny.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 12:14 pm
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As Tina makes clear in her story, you don’t end up on the do not hire list because of a political beef. People on that list got there through serious wrongdoing.
Mendoza needs to make with the answers. Fast
Comment by So.... Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 12:29 pm
For what it’s worth, the 42nd was a LOT cleaner when he was ward superintendent. The rodent problem right now is as bad as I’ve ever seen it.
Comment by northsider (the original) Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 12:31 pm
If she had just released the CPL grant money perhaps this might not have come out !
Comment by T Sowell Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 12:32 pm
Chicago has money for 50 ward superintendents but no money for CPS?!
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 12:34 pm
As state comptroller, Susana’s partisan feistiness in times when there would be more benefit to her and her office by being calm and professionally measured is a side of her that I did not expect to see.
Comment by Responsa Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 12:36 pm
Oh really? Is the DCFS director who bungled the neglect investigation and had a kid die on his watch while he ponders his next gig still getting a paycheck?
Comment by P. Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 12:38 pm
Let’s see that is 70k wasted on an unqualified employee ( that she admits to hiring personally) and 38K on a luxury used SUV. Mendoza is her own worst enemy !
Comment by Lech W Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 12:39 pm
===Chicago has money for 50 ward superintendents but no money for CPS?!===
Ward Sups are paid by Streets and San, how do the schools get their monies.
Further, the reason to have Ward Sups is so Aldermen can have accountability in their own wards, and have the ward services held in-house for the accountability.
Ugh.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 12:39 pm
Mendoza’s efforts to spin the story to an attack on firefighters seems totally lame. You are so busted Susana!
Comment by W Flag Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 12:53 pm
It is not uncommon for someone on Chicagos do-not-hire list to end up on the county or state payroll. This is Illinois after all.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 1:02 pm
Surprised this wasn’t in Rich’s summary: ‘Haynes is listed as a contact in a Rolodex kept by former Mayor Richard M. Daley’s former patronage director Robert Sorich. That Rolodex filled with 300 names and telephone numbers was seized by FBI agents in 2005 in a raid on Sorich’s City Hall office. Sorich was sentenced to four years in prison for rigging city hiring.’
Adding, this remark, “I’m not sure you are aware how that works in the City of Chicago”, although truthful, isn’t going to play well either. I thought the Democrat game plan is pretend like there is no corruption in Chicago, but this seems to be tacit acknowledgement. I’d like to think Mendoza was smarter, but all this does is take away the focus on Rauner no matter how much she tries to reflect it back on him.
I don’t know if Mendoza has been let in on the 2018 game plan, but she may not be the best choice to pressure Rauner at this point. I don’t know if a likability poll for other state wide office holders, but I can’t imagine Mendoza polling to high at the moment, maybe it’s time for Frerichs run with ball for a bit and bring Jesse in during the 4th quarter.
Comment by Swift Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 1:31 pm
===in Rich’s summary===
It ain’t my summary. Take it up with the oppo writer.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 1:33 pm
IDFPR hired a Tashika Sledge, also on the CPD no hire list. Convicted Felon also on the Brady list.
Comment by Retired CPD Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 1:36 pm
Illinois voters now have Rauner on their do-not-hire list. How about a swap: Haynes goes, Rauner goes?
Can’t remember the Lt. Gov’s name, but put her picture on a milk carton and get her to the Capitol quickly when she’s found.
Comment by Truthteller Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 1:44 pm
==Further, the reason to have Ward Sups is so Aldermen can have accountability in their own wards, and have the ward services held in-house for the accountability.==
You do realize Chicago has been on a grid garbage collection system for years now that no longer conforms to ward boundaries? And that there are 9 sanitation districts in that grid, not 50? And that 1 “superintendents” per district is all you need to perform the duties of this job?
If the aldermen are concerned about accountability, they can time jump into the 21st century and call their districts.
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 1:53 pm
===If the aldermen are concerned about accountability, they can time jump into the 21st century and call their districts===
… or they have their Ward Sups make sure things run smoothly. There’s other things that go on in Wards then just garbage, lol
I see you gave up on all that CPS silliness in with Ward Sups, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 1:57 pm
OW - Here’s the job description. Nearly all the essential duties are sanitation related and 2 others are of Tom Smykowski value.
http://bit.ly/2mk919P
And no, I didn’t give up the CPS silliness, I merely understand the concept of the fungibility of money. So does Karen Lewis every time there’s a new police/fire contract.
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 2:07 pm
I read snow removal, I read supervisory, I read community outreach, I read look for other needed city services and report…
You sure you read this?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 2:15 pm
@northsider - the rodent problem came back with a vengeance when the EPA said the city couldn’t use dry ice to kill rodents anymore. Plus the mild winter isn’t helping the cause.
Comment by Chicagonk Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 2:28 pm
What does the City’s no hire list have to do with the State of Illinois’ hiring? Is it a reciprocal type listing?
Comment by Claude Peppers Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 2:43 pm
I’m guessing candidate Munger (let’s not kid ourselves) will try to make something of this but it is most likely nothing. It is not uncommon for an employee of retirement age who gets a recommendation of discipline like this to simply walk away rather than go to the time and expense of fighting it.
Comment by Original Rambler Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 2:44 pm
=Original Rambler=
“but it is most likely nothing”
Its not nothing to Mendoza; she was as a rising star in the Dem organization. Thanks to self inflicted wounds she is now damaged goods.
Comment by Texas Red Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 2:52 pm
City Zen, do you really think the Ward Supt. just empties garbage cans?
You seem to have strong opinions, but I don’t think you understand the job.
By the way, I live in the ward but somehow I don’t recall this guy. I do know the current Ward Supt. From talking to him, I understand that he’s out there every day busting his behind. He’s one of a few City employees who are not paid enough. That’s a tough job.
Comment by Gooner Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 3:05 pm
One way (the other is being fired) to be placed on the City’s Do Not Hire List is to have an IG (Inspector General) investigation which concluded with a finding of official misconduct with a discharge recommendation to the Department. Often times, the employee in question resigns before a discharge decision can be made by the Department head. Comptroller Mendoza can clear all of this up by having her “guy” release a copy of the IG report he would have received.
Comment by Memo From Turner Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 3:08 pm
=I read snow removal==
The Bureau of Sanitation and Streets and San is responsible snow removal.
==I read supervisory==
Each of the 9 districts has a superintendent.
==I read community outreach==
Each of the 9 districts has a superintendent.
==I read look for other needed city services and report==
Tom Smykowski
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 3:09 pm
1. There doesn’t necessarily have to be an IG report for someone to end up on the do not hire/rehire list.
2. You don’t usually land there for something minor.
3. Someone better get to the bottom of it (and get the message straight) before the awesome Tina S. does!
Comment by K in Chicago Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 3:15 pm
- City Zen -
You can’t read, I get it…
Ward Sups are the eyes and ears for the Ward when it comes to City Services and works with their Alderman, the community groups, City Hall, on city services including garbage, snow removal, graffiti, vacant lots, sidewalks…
Your lack of understanding the 3 pages you cite really speaks to your blinded misunderstanding of what public services and accountability ate
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 3:16 pm
Maybe he is good candidate for a Secretary of State position.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 3:28 pm
==Pat Haynes is a highly decorated Chicago Firefighter, serving in the line of duty for 14 years.==
How does one transition from Streets and San to the fire department?
==He also worked for the Department of Planning, generating significant revenue for the City of Chicago.==
This was before or after fighting fires? And he personally generated “significant” revenue? Got a number for that, dear comptroller?
Comment by City Zen Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 3:31 pm
@- Claude Peppers - Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 2:43 pm:
===What does the City’s no hire list have to do with the State of Illinois’ hiring?===
Exactly!
Comment by DuPage Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 3:33 pm
Pat Haynes is a patronage worker for Ald Brendan Reilly (MJM subsidiary) loses his job and ends up in Mendoza’s office (MJM subsidiary). Are we confused?
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 3:56 pm
@Huh:
Exactly!
Comment by W Flag Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 4:06 pm
==IDFPR hired a Tashika Sledge, also on the CPD no hire list. Convicted Felon also on the Brady list.==
If Rauner and his people are ok with hiring Chicago no hires, how can any of them say anything to Mendoza?
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-06-21-heroin-arrests_x.htm
Comment by Non-Raunerite Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 4:19 pm
Seems like a lesser ’sin’ to hire from Chicago’s no hire list versus Secretary White hiring a person sho plead guilty to embezzlement from SIUE. Of course, this will gain more traction because Secretary White is teflon.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 4:19 pm
Corruption in the 42nd Ward?!?! I can’t fathom it!
Comment by Not It Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 4:40 pm
I can guarantee you that I am on the Office Max do not hire list. What? Am I supposed to curl up and die because a poorly run org with horrendous management doesn’t like me? Total crap. Judge the guy on his performance in his present job. Period.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, May 10, 17 @ 7:47 pm