Gov. Pat Quinn named the head of Illinois’ Department of Human Services as his new chief of staff on Tuesday, and praised an old friend who had held the post until resigning amid an ethics probe for sending political e-mails from a state account.
CHICAGO (AP) — Gov. Pat Quinn named the head of Illinois’ Department of Human Services as his new chief of staff on Tuesday, and praised an old friend who had held the post until resigning amid an ethics probe for sending political e-mails from a state account. Quinn also repeatedly denied a connection between the investigation of his former chief of staff, Jerry Stermer, and his decision to ultimately replace the state watchdog who led the probe. "I think we put ethics first, the people first, following the law, following the rules, making sure things are done right," Quinn said at a news conference. He introduced DHS chief Michelle Saddler as his new top aide, quickly filling the void left in state government management when Stermer abruptly resigned on Sunday. Stermer quit after a confidential report was obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times that said he had engaged in "prohibited political activity" by sending three political e-mails from his government account. Stermer has said he reported the problematic e-mails to state ethics officials and Quinn learned about them in January. Quinn said he had planned to discipline Stermer after receiving the inspector general’s report on Aug. 13 and was researching potential punishments that would have included a suspension. Quinn said it was Stermer’s decision to quit so as not to be a distraction for Quinn, who is in a tight race for re-election against Republican state Sen. Bill Brady. "Jerry Stermer, who I have known for 38 years, is a very good public servant. He made three mistakes," Quinn said. The report on Stermer, Quinn said, was unrelated to his decision to announce that same day that he was replacing Executive Inspector General James Wright. Quinn said Wright was told of the decision in the morning and he received Wright’s report on Stermer later that day. He said the administration had been looking for a replacement for Wright, a holdover from the previous administration, since last year and have since named one. Republicans, including Brady, have seized on the issue to criticize Quinn. "I think he owes us a better explanation. What he’s told us raises more questions than it does answers. He needs to offer the people of Illinois a full transparency on this issue," Brady said at a news conference before the one held by Quinn. Quinn tried to move on by announcing Saddler as his new chief of staff in the $150,000-a-year post. Saddler, 50, is leaving a job she has had since October 2009 as secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services, the agency that handles food stamps, child care and other services. She worked for Quinn on investment policy issues when he was state treasurer in the 1990s. "We’re good friends, very good working partners," Quinn said. "Michelle is very familiar with the way I operate." Quinn said he didn’t appoint Saddler, who is African-American and Asian, to win points with minority voters. "I found the best person available, somebody who I have total confidence in," he said. Saddler said she didn’t hesitate when Quinn asked her to take the job, although she admitted to being "a bit disconcerted." Her management style, she said, is one of collaboration but she said she won’t be afraid to push back, even with Quinn. "I have been accused in my lifetime of hyper-democracy, however when the decision has to be made, I make the decision," she said. Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. Photo Caption: Michelle Saddler speaks at a news conference after being named Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn’s Chief of Staff Aug. 24 in Chicago. Saddler was previously the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services. (AP Photo/Michael Green)
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