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Posted by Barton Lorimor (@bartonlorimor)
* Michael Shakman and Andy Shaw are asking a judge to order an investigation into the reclassification of certain IDOT employees..
He said 61 of the “Staff Assistant” positions once deemed by the administration to be exempt from state rules were submitted to the state’s personnel agency for review, and the agency determined at least 50 should not be exempt. Tridgell said going forward, those positions will be hired according to state rules that say a person’s qualifications take precedence.
“The hiring of Staff Assistants began in 2003 under the previous administration, and was suspended when new information came to light last year,” Tridgell said.
He also said that of the roughly 5,200 IDOT employees, about 4,900 are in positions in which political connections cannot be considered.
But Shakman says the Quinn administration is claiming an “inconceivable” number of employees may be hired based on their politics. He says the number is “far greater than justifiable under applicable law.”
Currently there are no “Staff Assistants” at IDOT.
*** 12:25 p.m. - The Rauner campaign on the suit…
“It should come as no surprise that someone who started his political career as a ghost payroller and patronage chief for Dan Walker is now carrying on the Rod Blagojevich practice of rewarding friends and allies with state jobs.”
The release goes on to cite newspaper articles and wire reports of instances where Quinn has been accused of using clout and ghost payrolling, such as with former state Reps. Careen Gordon and Mike Smith, Agriculture Director Bob Flider, David Vaught, the former OMB and DCEO director.
End update.
* I retweeted this for the ScribbleLive earlier this week…
Chicago homeowners may have a familiar voice among their phone messages tonight: Republican Gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner. The Rauner campaign conducted thousands of robocalls today. The message? That Gov. Quinn is considering signing the recently passed Chicago pension reform bill which Rauner says would pave the way for higher property taxes.
Naturally, the Mayor is less than thrilled about this…
“Bruce Rauner hasn’t even gotten to Springfield, and he’s already acting like a career politician who plays politics with people’s pensions and livelihood,” Emanuel spokeswoman Sarah Hamilton said late Tuesday. “This pension reform bill currently awaiting the governor’s signature will bring financial security to 60,000 hardworking people and provides more savings through reform than a plan proposed by Mr. Rauner just a few years ago.
The people of Chicago don’t need more rhetoric or gimmicks, they need a plan that will give our workers and retirees financial certainty and that will put our city finances in order for the long-term.”
The calls also received a cold reception from the two legislative GOP leaders…
“The robo-calls? It is what it is for this time of year,” the Western Springs Republican told the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board.
Durkin voted for the pension overhaul bill.
“I will respectfully disagree with Bruce Rauner’s position. When the city of Chicago came to me very desperate for some relief, I couldn’t ignore the multiple [bond rating] downgrades they’ve taken,” Durkin said. “How many more downgrades does the city of Chicago need to go before it hits junk status? To me, that’s not something I could accept under my watch in the House.
“I can’t speak for Bruce, but I thought it was the right thing to do,” Durkin said of his vote.
Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont did not support the bill currently before Quinn, but she agreed that Rauner’s call for Quinn to veto the bill amounted to “political theatre.”
Related…
* Gov. Pat Quinn’s taxes showlittle change from prior year
* Quinn Releases Tax Returns; Rauner’s Waiting: A spokesman says Rauner has filed for an extension. Rauner did release three prior years’ worth of returns in November. Those showed his salary in 2012 was about $52 million.
* Tax Returns Revealing … But Not Revealing Enough: “We really want to know where the sources of money that you have, that your spouse has, that might make it a conflict for you to vote on a measure, advocate for a measure,” (Sheila Simon) says.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 23, 14 @ 11:51 am
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If the rauner camp thinks this fake Rahm /rauner conflict is going to fool anyone I have about 20 million reasons why it won’t.
Comment by William j Kelly Wednesday, Apr 23, 14 @ 11:57 am
Well, that Rauner/Rahm tiff is going to make vacationing in Montana awkward. Thank goodness the ranch house is huge.
This Rauner/Rahm “thing” is as phony as the Carhartt either Rauner wears tried to fool us every day day during the Primary.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 23, 14 @ 12:01 pm
Currently there are no “Staff Assistants” at IDOT.
Of course there aren’t any Staff Assistants at IDOT. They have all moved into Rutan protected positions.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Apr 23, 14 @ 12:03 pm
“Bruce Rauner hasn’t even gotten to Springfield, and he’s already acting like a career politician who plays politics with people’s pensions and livelihood,” Emanuel spokeswoman Sarah Hamilton said late Tuesday.
- So - you’re expecting him to go to Springfield as our next governor, and as Mayor Emanuel’s old vacation buddy?
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Apr 23, 14 @ 12:11 pm
“Thump, thump!” That’s the sound of Da Mayor being run over by the Rauner bus.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Apr 23, 14 @ 12:22 pm
Hey man, county party chairs are not going to hire themselves…
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Apr 23, 14 @ 12:26 pm
Shakman has done more to benefit Illinois than most of the politicians who have served here during his lifetime.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Apr 23, 14 @ 12:27 pm
If the breaking SunTimes article about his brother’s stake in Uber is any indication, Rahm looks to have larger problems on his hands now than a robocall or two.
More like an uprising among the city’s cab drivers, lol.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Apr 23, 14 @ 12:33 pm
Emanuel spokeswoman Sarah Hamilton needs a new line - isn’t her boss a career politician?
Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Apr 23, 14 @ 12:43 pm
Staff assistant is a working title for some Technical Manager positions at IDOT. I assure you there are still Staff Assistants around. IDOT’s spokesman said as much in his response to reporters.
Comment by LittleOleMe Wednesday, Apr 23, 14 @ 1:44 pm
Someone quick, tell his crack campaign that robocalls generally get cold receptions from the people receiving them as well.
Unless of course, this is just a ploy for media stories about how he and Rahm are like not really totally BFFs.
Yeah Brucey, we all see right through you. Your contempt for our intelligence is noted.
Comment by Jimbo Wednesday, Apr 23, 14 @ 2:41 pm
Rauner’s robot calls are a good test for one’s reflexes — see how quickly you can press “DELETE.”
Comment by Upon Further Review Wednesday, Apr 23, 14 @ 4:12 pm
1. Robocalls work.
2. Rahm is genuinely not amused.
3. The reaction from Durkin and Radogno is the best.
4. If Quinn was looking for an excuse to veto, he has got it now.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Apr 23, 14 @ 4:15 pm
Robocalls by Rauner at THIS stage in the Campaign about this singular issue–and when his OWN track record on the issue shows how lame his position has been??? A real turn-off and waste of time–unless you want to REALLY tick off Voters here in April…! (i.e. keep your nose OUT of it, Baron)!
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Wednesday, Apr 23, 14 @ 8:12 pm