 The plan is a follow-up to a list released two weeks ago of 700
state employees needing to be reappointed, some of whom had their
term expire 11 years ago.These appointees "have not been subject
to Senate confirmation," Cullerton said. "And there's nothing we can
do unless we pass this statute to compel the governor to submit
those names."
The legislation doesn't affect whom Quinn can appoint, it just
makes him go through the proper channels, according to Cullerton,
D-Chicago.
"The idea here was just to preserve the process by which the
Senate confirms people," Cullerton said.
The plan has bipartisan support.
Sen. John O. Jones, R- Mount Vernon, said he is fully behind
Cullerton's idea. During a recent round of appointment confirmation
votes, Jones said he either voted "no" or "present" on almost all of
them.
"I did that because some of those had been appointed for over a
year and we were just getting around to confirming them," Jones
said.
If Quinn believes the people he originally appointed deserve the
job, he should reappoint them if this legislation passes, Jones
said.
Annie Thompson, a Quinn spokeswoman, said the governor will
review the legislation and continue to work with leaders of the
General Assembly.
"The governor will work with the Senate to build upon his efforts
to increase transparency in the appointment process," Thompson said.
[to top of second column] |
Tuesday's action on the legislation moves the bill and its
amendments to the Senate floor for a vote, which could happen as
early as Wednesday. If approved, the legislation would move to the
Illinois House of Representatives for consideration.
Should the General Assembly flex its procedural muscles and pass
the legislation, Quinn could veto the plan.
___
Online:
House Bill 5057
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By ANDREW THOMASON]
 |
