Gov. Quinn Names New Chief of Staff

Gov. Pat Quinn on Monday named Jack Lavin, his Chief Operating Officer, as his new chief of staff.

"Jack Lavin has helped my administration accomplish many of our top priorities and I have full confidence that he has the vision
and ability to lead my office into a successful new term and will tackle the many serious issues facing our state,'' Quinn said in a
statement.

Quinn had named Lavin to the chief operating officer post in February 2009, not long after Quinn replaced Blagojevich when he
was impeached and removed from office after being arrested on federal corruption charges. In that job, Lavin helped see through a
capital construction program and directed the state's share of the federal stimulus program, according to Quinn's office.

It's the third chief the governor has had in the last four months.

The appointment sends Michelle Saddler back to her job as secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services.  She took over in August for Jerry Stermer, who resigned in the wake an of ethics probe over the use of state-owned email to correspond about campaign matters.

"Returning to the Department of Human Services will allow me to pursue my truest passion and continue to address the immense challenges and needs facing human services in Illinois," she said.

Quinn said Saddler did an "excellent" job as chief.  

"She is a key leader in my administration," he said.

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