Watchdog details IDOT hiring practices by ex Gov Quinn

A new report issued Monday by a court-appointed watchdog charged with looking into patronage hiring at the Illinois Department of Transportation details how top Democrats clouted relatives and friends into positions under former Gov. Pat Quinn, even as many of those hired had little or no experience.

House Speaker Mike Madigan's office successfully pushed a former bricklayer for a job that included "maintaining relationships" with minority road contractors, though the man eventually resigned after being arrested for allegedly "physically assaulting" a then-state lawmaker. Cicero Rep. Lisa Hernandez sent in the resume of a bank manager who was put on the state payroll to inspect roads. And a daughter of 30th Ward Chicago Ald. Ariel Reboyras ended up in another state job after complaints at a different agency. Read more.