SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A court-appointed monitor investigating patronage hiring at the Illinois Department of Transportation can also review hiring at other state agencies, a federal judge ruled.
Judge Sidney Schenkier ruled in favor of those who had sought to have the special master’s authority expanded to include all state agencies, boards and commissions, the State Journal-Register (https://bit.ly/2h4g05j ) reported. Under Schenkier’s ruling, the special master will review all positions under the governor deemed exempt from anti-patronage rules to ensure they meet the specifications for that exemption. The special master will also develop a list of exempt positions at all state agencies and develop procedures for updating that list.
Anti-patronage activist Michael Shakman said the request to expand the special master’s authority stemmed from discoveries made by her as she investigated hiring at the Transportation Department. Shakman said the special master identified recurring issues at the department and that it appeared the same concerns would repeat themselves at other state agencies.
Schenkier said a review of the other agencies will ensure that only positions that should be exempt from anti-patronage rules will be.
The special master was appointed because of a hiring scandal under former Gov. Pat Quinn in which some positions were improperly filled using political considerations rather than qualifications.
Another hearing in the case is scheduled for late January.
Catherine Kelly, spokeswoman for Gov. Bruce Rauner, said the governor supports the judge’s ruling.
In September, Rauner announced the layoff of 29 Transportation Department employees who were improperly hired into “staff assistant” positions. Rauner also abolished that job title at the agency.
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Information from: The State Journal-Register, https://www.sj-r.com
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