An ally of Republican Governor Bruce Rauner will chair the state agency that owns the Chicago White Sox stadium, and oversaw the renovations of Soldier Field. But one of former Governor Pat Quinn's closest confidants will still retain another high-paying post.
The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority has been home base for all sorts of political wins and losses over the years. And there's a whole roster of players.
Most recently, Quinn secured the executive director's job for his former campaign manager. Lou Bertuca was hired without a national search.
Critics say Bertuca, who had no sports experience outside of playing high school football, isn't qualified for the $160,000 post. Bertuca's contract means he'll be paid a handsome sum even if he's fired.
One of the men who helped make it happen is former State Senate President Emil Jones, who Quinn had earlier appointed as chairman of the authority. Now that he's governor, Rauner has kicked Jones out.
The Republican drafted new chair Manny Sanchez, a prominent Latino and Democrat who made news for his support of Rauner in the last election. Sanchez is one of the founding members of the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees and served fifteen years on the board. He earned his degree in Political Science from NIU in 1970.
Sanchez doesn't get a salary, but will be reimbursed in expenses. But the position can carry political weight.
