Rauner Hires Munger As A Deputy Governor

In this June 10, 2015 file photo, Illinois state Comptroller Leslie Munger speaks at a news conference in Chicago. Munger’s office said Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, it’s unable to pay social service agencies as directed by a court order because it can’t find the funds. The comptroller writes Illinois’ checks and has been ordered to pay agencies by courts while Gov. Bruce Rauner and lawmakers are deadlocked on a budget causing a cash shortage.
Leslie Munger speaks at a news conference in Chicago in 2015. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner announced Friday he has hired the former state comptroller to serve as a deputy governor. Christian K. Lee / AP, file
In this June 10, 2015 file photo, Illinois state Comptroller Leslie Munger speaks at a news conference in Chicago. Munger’s office said Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, it’s unable to pay social service agencies as directed by a court order because it can’t find the funds. The comptroller writes Illinois’ checks and has been ordered to pay agencies by courts while Gov. Bruce Rauner and lawmakers are deadlocked on a budget causing a cash shortage.
Leslie Munger speaks at a news conference in Chicago in 2015. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner announced Friday he has hired the former state comptroller to serve as a deputy governor. Christian K. Lee / AP, file

Rauner Hires Munger As A Deputy Governor

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CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner announced Friday he has hired former state Comptroller Leslie Munger to serve as a deputy governor, saying she will focus on long-term budgeting and work with human services organizations hit hard by the state budget impasse.

Munger will serve in addition to current Deputy Governor Trey Childress and will earn $135,000 annually, the same amount the Lincolnshire Republican made as comptroller.

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

“Leslie’s vast business, human services and government experiences make her uniquely qualified to serve in this important role,” the Republican governor said in a statement first released to The Associated Press. “We are thrilled that she has agreed to return to public service and bring people together to find long-term solutions for our state and its residents.”

Rauner’s office says the money for Munger’s salary was freed up when former Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle left her $198,000-per-year position on Rauner’s executive staff. They say the governor’s overall payroll — including staff paid through state agencies — is still millions less than it was under his predecessor, Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn.

Munger is a former executive with Unilever HPC/Helene Curtis. She served for 20 years as a volunteer and a board member of a nonprofit organization that helps developmentally disabled adults.

Several of her former staff members, including her ex-chief of staff Brad Hahn and deputy chief of staff Phillip Rodriguez, also found jobs in the Rauner administration after her election loss.