Quinn Names New Chief of Staff

Yesterday Governor Pat Quinn praised his former Chief of Staff Jerry Stermer, who resigned last weekend over alleged ethics violations. Though Quinn let his chief resign, he said he wouldn’t have fired Stermer over the improper emails sent. Quinn said he would’ve rather suspended Stermer instead, but told the Sun Times, “everyone should follow their conscience, and Jerry Stermer is to me a person of great conscience. ... He, on his own, voluntarily wanted to do it this way.” Quinn then went on to name Michelle Saddler, Secretary of the Department of Human Services, as his new chief of staff. “There is no one better-suited to continue my mission of creating jobs, supporting Illinois’ economic recovery and protecting our most vulnerable residents,” Quinn said via press release.