DGA Files Public Records Request Seeking Information about Rauner’s Staff Turnover

Rauner’s Controversial Hires Calls onto Question how the Governor is Running his Office

Today, the Democratic Governors Association sent a public information request for emails and communications from Governor Rauner’s office pertaining to the emerging scandal around recent hires into the Governor’s office.
In a FOIA request filed today, the DGA is seeking any communications in the Governor’s office pertaining to the hires of:

• Kristina Rasmussen
• Diana Rickert
• Laurel Patrick
• Michael Lucci
• Brittany Carl
• Meghan Keenan
• Jean Hutton

The DGA is also seeking any communications pertaining to the hiring and firing of bodyman Ben Tracy.
“Bruce Rauner’s sudden staff shakeup has caused chaos in Springfield and raised serious questions about politically motivated hiring,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “Either the Governor’s office failed to properly vet the new employees, or Rauner’s administration willfully looked past disturbing information about each person’s past. Illinois residents deserve to know how Bruce Rauner is spending their tax dollars on state employees.”
In the past two weeks, Bruce Rauner’s office has seen at least 21 people resign or be fired in a politically-driven staff shakeup. These staffers were replaced with people from right-wing organizations that had little to no governmental experience. A series of news stories uncovered past offensive and inappropriate communications by these new staffers, calling into question the hiring process conducted by Rauner’s administration.

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