The new head of Illinois’ state roads department is announcing changes to the hiring practices at the agency after claims of patronage hiring. Earlier this year, the Department of Transportation was sued for making political hires.
Erica Borggren is the new director of the agency after the previous director recently stepped down. Borggren says 58 people have been laid off and their positions have been eliminated. She says the overall changes to the hiring process will prevent political hires in the future.
"If we put these systems in place and as we do that, these kinds of decisions can’t happen. Whether they were intentional or not, they couldn’t happen and so we’re looking to restore the confidence through these reforms."
Borggren also says a 5-member panel will be created to monitor the hiring code.
Republicans have criticized incumbent Governor Pat Quinn over the hiring scandal - as Quinn is in the middle of a contested re-election campaign.