Blagojevich Busted

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) ― Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn put his own stamp on the Department of Natural Resources by announcing a new director Thursday, but he left open the possibility that some of his predecessor's Cabinet officers might keep their jobs.

Quinn chose Marc Miller as the new conservation director. The 39-year-old Springfield resident was senior policy adviser to Quinn when he was lieutenant governor.

But Quinn didn't rule out keeping some agency directors appointed by disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. "If they're doing a good job and it's best for the people, that's what we'll do," he said at a news conference outside his Springfield office.

Asked whether that applies to other Blagojevich aides -- including close advisers who might have known about schemes described in a federal criminal complaint -- Quinn said the whole office would be reviewed.

"I expect everybody that's on the job now to do their job with honesty and diligence and competence," Quinn said. "They owe that duty to the people of Illinois."

Earlier Thursday in Chicago, the Democratic governor said it would take "sacrifice" to mend a state budget that Comptroller Dan Hynes says will run a $9 billion deficit through next year. He offered no details but promised "a responsible plan for the people of Illinois so we will dig out."

Governors are supposed to offer a budget plan by mid-February. But the House OK'd a measure Thursday to give Quinn an extra month. The legislation now goes to the Senate.

Quinn just took the helm a week ago after the impeached Blagojevich was removed from office.

Just two weeks before he was ousted, Blagojevich appointed former state Rep. Kurt Granberg as DNR director. But Quinn withdrew that nomination Wednesday, repeating his pledge to name a professional in the conservation field instead of a "political appointment."

Miller joined Quinn's staff in June 2004 and made $70,000 as an adviser and liaison to the Illinois River Coordinating Council.

"We need a director of DNR who is an advocate for nature, an advocate for families, and an advocate for protecting open spaces who will make sure they're available not only in our time but for all time," Quinn said.

As a budget-cutting move, Blagojevich closed seven state parks Nov. 30. Quinn has said he wants them reopened, but Miller took a cautious tone when asked when locks would be taken off gates.

"That is an issue that we will need to look at, look at the finances, and then ascertain whether or not it's possible to go forward," Miller said. "The governor has said we will do that as soon as possible."

Miller said it would not be realistic to expect DNR's decimated staff to be replenished anytime soon. The agency had 2,189 employees when Blagojevich took over in January 2003, but only 1,455 in December.

Granberg joined the DNR payroll Jan. 16. The new job allows him by state law to take a pension of $113,000, based on his DNR salary -- 55 percent more than the $73,000 he'd make from a pension based on his 22 years in the General Assembly.

But state pension officials are reviewing the situation because Granberg had not been confirmed by the Senate.

Quinn said he hoped Granberg would not qualify for the extra money but did not say whether he actively sought to stop it, adding that Granberg should "just be happy with the pension he earned in the Legislature."

Granberg has said he didn't take the job for the money, expected to stay at least two years -- until Blagojevich's term ended -- and does not intend to refuse the extra pension because he had worked on DNR projects for a year in anticipation of his appointment.

(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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