Patronage Allegations Give Rauner Fodder In Race Against Quinn
From the Associated Press
Allegations painting a culture of patronage hiring in Gov. Pat Quinn's administration became an election-year obstacle for the Chicago Democrat on Wednesday as good government groups raised concerns about the potential for corruption and his Republican challenger latched onto the idea.
The spotlight on hiring came a day after a complaint filed in federal court by attorney Michael Shakman — whose decades-old court case led to bans on politically based hiring in the Chicago area — alleged improper hiring in the Illinois Department of Transportation. The lawsuit cited a 2013 Better Government Association probe alleging that jobs may have filled based on "clout instead of competence."
The complaint also alleged that hiring practices that began under former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is now imprisoned for corruption, continued into Quinn's tenure — including reclassifying positions so they'd be exempt from state hiring rules and politics could be considered.
"Patronage is a deeply embedded evil in Illinois politics," Shakman said. "It's not surprising that you have continuity from administration to administration."
Quinn said an audit was immediately ordered after the BGA report surfaced and the problems were addressed.
Read more in our daily News Update...
From the Associated Press
Allegations painting a culture of patronage hiring in Gov. Pat Quinn's administration became an election-year obstacle for the Chicago Democrat on Wednesday as good government groups raised concerns about the potential for corruption and his Republican challenger latched onto the idea.
The spotlight on hiring came a day after a complaint filed in federal court by attorney Michael Shakman — whose decades-old court case led to bans on politically based hiring in the Chicago area — alleged improper hiring in the Illinois Department of Transportation. The lawsuit cited a 2013 Better Government Association probe alleging that jobs may have filled based on "clout instead of competence."
The complaint also alleged that hiring practices that began under former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is now imprisoned for corruption, continued into Quinn's tenure — including reclassifying positions so they'd be exempt from state hiring rules and politics could be considered.
"Patronage is a deeply embedded evil in Illinois politics," Shakman said. "It's not surprising that you have continuity from administration to administration."
Quinn said an audit was immediately ordered after the BGA report surfaced and the problems were addressed.
Read more in our daily News Update...