IDOT Cuts Positions Following Hiring Questions

The Illinois Department of Transportation is eliminating 58
positions that are at the center of a lawsuit alleging questionable hiring
practices.
 
 Acting Secretary Erica Borggren said Thursday the move is designed to boost
``accountability and restore public trust.''
 
In addition to eliminating ``staff assistant'' positions, IDOT is creating a
board to evaluate hiring, and is continuing a freeze on hiring for positions
that can be filled based on political connections.
 
This year an anti-patronage attorney filed a federal lawsuit seeking an
investigation and independent monitor to oversee employment practices at IDOT.
 
That followed a 2013 Better Government Association report saying Quinn and
predecessor, ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich, hired as many as 200 ``staff assistants''
without adhering to rules prohibiting political considerations and without
properly offering the jobs to the general public.