Pritzker To Use Own Money To Increase Staff Pay
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Latest on Illinois incoming governor J.B. Pritzker as he approaches inauguration day (all times local):
10:40 a.m.
Illinois Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker plans to pay his own money to double the salaries of several key staffers.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports Pritzker created East Jackson Street LLC to personally compensate staffers in addition to their government salaries. Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh says the governor elect "is committed to recruiting top talent to state government to best address the challenges Illinois faces."
Pritzker's chief of staff, three deputy governors and their special assistants, deputy chiefs of staff and other high-level employees will receive the double salaries. Overall it will apply to 20 positions, some that have not been filled. With the extra pay Pritzker chief of staff Anne Caprara's salary would be almost $300,000.
Staffers who received the additional pay must report it along with other public disclosures.
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10:15 a.m.
Illinois Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker filled more Cabinet positions ahead of his inauguration, and his choices include several women and show a bipartisan approach.
The State Journal-Register reports that Democrat J.B. Pritzker announced his picks Thursday to lead multiple state agencies, including the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Department of Central Management Services and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
Pritzker also showed a bipartisan approach by asking two of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's agency directors to stay in their jobs. Heidi Mueller will remain the director of the Department of Juvenile Justice, and Matt Perez will stay the state Fire Marshal.
The governor-elect also filled three roles in his executive office: deputy chief of staff for communications, press secretary and deputy chief of staff for legislative affairs.
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