During their first meeting since a clout scandal led to a complete reshuffling, University of Illinois trustees have elected Merchandise Mart CEO Christopher Kennedy to be their new chairman.
Kennedy was rumored to be a sleeper candidate for numerous political offices in Illinois, including governor and U.S. Senator, before he declined to run.
Now he'll head a revamped board of trustees at U of I.
Kennedy is one of six new members of the university's governing board appointed the past few weeks by Gov. Pat Quinn. Quinn made the appointments following a series of trustee resignations over the university's admissions scandal.
Kennedy was selected over Edward McMillan, a southern Illinois businessman. McMillan was among those who resigned from the board but was reappointed by Quinn.
Kennedy is a son of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.
