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Illinois State Police Director To Keep Job

Updated 02/10/11 - 6:14 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD (CBS/AP) -- Illinois state senators might take one last shot at voting on Gov. Pat Quinn's nominee to head the Illinois State Police.

Earlier Thursday, a spokeswoman for Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) said there was no way to hold a confirmation hearing before time ran out and Acting ISP Director Jonathon Monken officially got the job.

But Rikeesha Phelon later said Senate leaders had begun considering a hearing next Wednesday, the last day possible.

Nominees are automatically confirmed if the Senate doesn't hold a vote within 60 session days. The deadline was also complicated by the fact that Monken was nominated during a legislative session that ended last month.

Monken is 31 and has no law enforcement experience, but he has served as acting director of state police for nearly two years.

(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS Radio and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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