Rauner Hires Leslie Munger As $135,000-Per-Year Deputy Governor

CHICAGO (AP/CBS) -- Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has hired former state Comptroller Leslie Munger to serve as a deputy governor.

In a statement released first to The Associated Press on Friday, Rauner says Munger will focus on long-term budgeting and work with human services organizations hit hard by the state budget impasse.

Rauner appointed Munger comptroller in 2015, after Judy Baar Topinka died. The Lincolnshire Republican lost a re-election bid in November to Democrat Susana Mendoza.

Munger will serve in addition to current Deputy Governor Trey Childress and will earn $135,000 annually.

Rauner's office says the money was freed up when former Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle left her $198,000-per-year position on Rauner's executive staff.

Munger is a former executive with Helene Curtis and served on the board of a non-profit organization. She was not available for comment.

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