Dec. 09--Gov. Pat Quinn is not short on late-inning drama as he prepares to leave office in about a month.
A contentious 4-3 vote by the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority board allowed Quinn's former campaign manager, Lou Bertuca, 30, to become its new executive director. The outgoing governor's appointees stood firm against Mayor Rahm Emanuel's appointees, who criticized the move as rushed and unfair to taxpayers without interviewing other candidates.
"Just going to the governor's assistant isn't much of a search," said Norm Bobins, a mayoral appointee and longtime banking executive. "And I think Lou's resume speaks for itself since his last position was campaign manager for Gov. Quinn."
The $175,900-a-year position oversees the authority's roughly $40 million budget and maintenance and operation of U.S. Cellular Field, and carries out the management agreement with the White Sox. The authority has five other employees.
Monday's action was the second time Quinn rebuffed the mayor to ensure a former staffer could lead the authority.
Two years ago, Kelly Kraft, whose contract expired last month, was picked 4-3 amid criticism for being unqualified. The former TV reporter and Quinn's communications director became the first permanent agency chief in about 18 months and edged out Diana Ferguson, the mayor's choice. Ferguson had served as chief financial officer at Sara Lee and Chicago Public Schools.
Loop Capital CEO Jim Reynolds, an Emanuel appointee, said it was "not proper" to choose Bertuca without conducting a wider search. He preferred Bertuca receive a month-to-month contract instead of two years. He added the board should have waited until Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner took office since Quinn's board members are serving expired terms.
"We think the taxpayers of the state of Illinois are due a transparent process into how we select an executive director," Reynolds said. "The best candidate should have an opportunity to have that job, and that's not what happened today."
All but one of the board members serve expired terms, including two whose terms expired in 2012 (Dr. Quentin Young, whom Quinn tapped two years ago to ensure Kraft's selection survived, is the exception). They serve until replacements are confirmed.
After Reynolds spoke, he watched in disbelief as Sen. Emil Jones, the board's chairman, told him the board followed the law by picking an executive director without a national search. Jones also noted he served in the Legislature in 1987, when the authority was created.
"We are acting and doing our job as set forth in the law," Jones said. "You should be the last person -- the last person -- to make a statement like that. Because you're saying that we need to do a national search to get an executive director. And no we do not."
In a statement Monday, Emanuel's office said, "While the mayor was supportive of a temporary/interim appointment to manage IFSA, he believes his appointees to the board and those of the next governor should select a permanent executive director of the agency."
Bertuca also worked in Quinn's administration and at the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. He graduated from Fenwick High School in Oak Park -- like Quinn -- and Lake Forest College, where he played football.
"I'm eager to work with the board and staff to run the authority effectively and efficiently, protect taxpayers and increase recreational opportunities for youth in our communities," Bertuca said in a statement.
Quinn told reporters that while he appoints board members, he stays out of their personnel decisions.
"That's the way it should be. I try to let each of these agencies call them as they see them," said Quinn, who also said he was confident in Bertuca's ability to manage.
Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner, who will be sworn in Jan. 12, was asked Monday about the selection.
"There's Illinois, isn't it? Right there," he said, while chuckling.
Kraft's selection in 2012 drew criticism from Emanuel after the Tribune reported she once filed for personal bankruptcy with more than $100,000 in debt.
She said Monday the agency improved finances and added special events. About $16 million was saved by refinancing its bonds, according to a news release.
"I loved being at the authority and making improvements there," said Kraft, who has enrolled in law school.
Tribune reporter Monique Garcia contributed.
jahopkins@tribune.com
Twitter @jaredshopkins
