Quinn names insider with Rezko, Blagojevich ties to high-level post

Gov. Pat Quinn on Wednesday installed as his chief operating officer an appointee of ousted predecessor Rod Blagojevich who also has close ties to convicted fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko.

The decision to name longtime friend Jack Lavin as one of his top aides raised eyebrows with some who said it might send a message of politics as usual in Illinois.

“Certainly he comes with some baggage that we have to be very sensitive about at this moment in our state’s history, but personally I want to work with everyone right now to make sure we get through the very serious problems we’re facing,” said Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno of Lemont. “I can only hope the governor has fully vetted his association and knows full well that they won’t in any way, shape or form interfere.”

Lavin served as Blagojevich’s director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity after Rezko recommend Lavin for the post. Lavin once worked as the chief financial officer for Rezko’s food-related business and took more than $12,000 in donations from Rezko’s firm while toying with a run for elected office in 2001.

A Quinn spokesman would not comment on Lavin’s ties to Blagojevich and Rezko, but said the governor has “the utmost confidence in him.”

Lavin did not immediately return a call seeking comment, but a spokeswoman pointed to his record running the state's economic development agency.

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Blagojevich lieutenant Lavin battles for state

Michael Krauss
June 19, 2006
Chicago Sun-Times

Jack Lavin likes the front line.

As a CFO of politically connected Rezko Enterprises, with oversight of the Panda Express fast-food chain, Lavin served up beverages in the stores. High school friends thought it odd that Lavin was behind the counter, but that didn't stop him. Lavin knew the value of serving on the front line.

Now as director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Lavin is Gov. Blagojevich's point man on economic development. On Thursday, Lavin will be out front presenting the governor's economic development strategy at a City Club lunch at Maggiano's.

Expect Lavin to outline the importance of innovation.

"We've put a strategy in place that embraces innovation," Lavin says. "It's helping with trade, entrepreneurship, and work force development." Lavin says. Illinois employment, international trade and tourism are all up.

Credit to Blago

Lavin's a team player. He's quick to credit Blagojevich. Says Lavin, "The governor has been able to do this without raising taxes."

Lavin's a busy guy. He's just back from China. His boss is up for re-election. There's talk about a new Honda plant. United Airlines is rumbling about relocating. The U.S. Department of Energy is considering Illinois for a $1 billion model plant to cleanly transform coal to electricity.

"Two thirds of our state has underground coal," Lavin says. "We have more [British thermal units] of coal than Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have oil. We need to burn it cleanly." Of the 12 possible sites for FutureGen, four are in Illinois, he said.

Lavin's approach balances major deal making -- he tirelessly worked the BIO2006 conference -- with concern for individuals. During the three days of BIO2006, Lavin was constantly out front pressing the flesh at the Illinois Pavilion.

"We exceeded all expectations," he says. "Attendance hit record levels. We generated more than 11,000 business meetings." Lavin's proud of the network BIO2006 created among businesses, universities, government and not-for-profits. The group wants to bring the show here again in 2010.

*snip*

Expect Lavin will look from the front lines.

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