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 As Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker awaits word on whether he convinced federal
appeals justices his employment practices no longer need federal oversight, the
lawyer responsible for that oversight disclosed a probe into a state agency
hiring what may be unqualified political cronies.
Noelle Brennan, the court-appointed attorney who acts as watchdog for agencies
Pritzker controls, disclosed to the courts she’s still looking into the hiring
last year of four employees by the Illinois Capital Development Board. All four
were hired for the “Contract Specialist III” position at the agency which
manages state construction projects. At least two didn’t meet the minimum
requirements in the job description.
They specifically lacked “extensive knowledge of the Illinois Procurement Code;
Procedural Manual; Construction Contracts Manual and the Emergency Small
Purchase Contract Manual,” according to court documents.
Two of the employees were fired from earlier state jobs and have “apparent
political connections,” according to Brennan.
Another employee in the group is the son of an unnamed senior official at the
board.
The governor’s office admitted to procedural errors hiring the four but reviewed
the matter and found no evidence of misconduct. State attorneys claim candidates
are selected based on who posts the highest interview scores and no favoritism
is involved in hiring.
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Ann Spillane,
Pritzker’s general counsel, said Brennan never raised any issues
regarding political patronage when originally asked about the
Capital Development Board hires.
In reference to the two employees previously being fired, lawyers
from the Pritzker administration wrote, “As a matter of state law
and policy, the state often affords second chances to people,
including those with criminal convictions.”
Brennan’s full report on the board’s hiring will be available by the
end of January.
Illinois executive branch hiring is monitored as part of the
“Shakman Decrees” that since 1972 have ruled much of the state and
Chicago-area government hiring. The decrees were agreements to
federal oversight of personnel matters in exchange for dismissing
lawsuits brought by two Chicago lawyers over rampant political
patronage hiring and the common practice of making government
employees do political work.
Pritzker has argued agencies under his control no longer need the
oversight because the problems have been solved. It is unclear when
the appeals court will rule on Pritzker’s bid.
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