Emily Bastedo, former associate counsel for the Bruce Rauner administration, will receive a $100,000 salary to serve as chief of staff for Illinois First Lady Diana Rauner.
“[Bastedo] will work closely with Deputy Governor Trey Childress and State COO Linda Lingle in transforming Illinois’ health and human services agencies, specifically those that interact with children and have a role in education,” said Catherine Kelly, a Rauner spokesperson.
Prior to politics, Bastedo worked as an associate for Chapman and Cutler, a law firm with a financial focus. More recently, Bastedo has functioned as associate counsel for Rauner’s office. Bastedo also serves as a member of the Elmhurst District School Board.
In her new position, the First Lady’s chief of staff also will be tasked with overseeing the renovation of the Illinois Executive Mansion that has fallen into disrepair in recent years.
“It has been well-documented the building is in desperate need of repairs,” said Kelly. “Emily will work with the Illinois Executive Mansion Board as they work to move into Phase Two of the restoration project, which will be a multi-million dollar undertaking.”
The State of Illinois has been operating without an official budget since June of last year. As a result, the state has been forced to cut off a variety of important social services. Last week Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, the state's largest and oldest provider of social services, announced plans to lay off 750 employees and cut services for 30 programs.
Bastedo replaces Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, appointed state representative for the 99th Illinois House district in November of last year. Jimenez also earned $100,000 annually while serving as the First Lady’s chief of staff.
Bastedo’s $100,000 salary matches the amount she was making while serving as legal counsel to the administration.
“Emily is making the same salary she made as an Associate Counsel in the Governor’s Office and the same salary her predecessor made,” said Kelly.
