PING!
Posted on 08/11/2015 10:53:33 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
A national women's organization is challenging Gov. Bruce Rauner's appointments to the Illinois Tollway, saying he is violating state law by creating an all-male board.
Over the past three months, Rauner has named five male directors and re-appointed another to the nine-member Tollway board, which already included three men.
In addition, Rauner backed Greg Bedalov as the agency's new executive director. Bedalov replaced Kristi Lafleur, who had held the post under the tenure of former Gov. Pat Quinn.
The National Council of Women's Organizations is charging that Rauner is violating the Illinois Gender Balanced Appointments Act. The 1991 law is aimed at equalizing representation on state panels "with a good faith attempt to seek gender balance." It makes no mention of consequences for failing to comply.
The organization urged the nominations be withdrawn. The nominations "are in violation of Illinois law as well as basic principles of fairness and good governance," the group said in a letter to Rauner.
The governor appoints members to hundreds of boards, panels and commissions in Illinois, and Rauner has made scores of appointments since taking office.
Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly took issue with the organization's criticism.
"Fifty percent of the members the governor has appointed or reappointed to the Tollway board are minorities, so to insinuate that the administration hasn't made diversity a priority is misguided," Kelly said Wednesday.
Rauner's appointments bring the number of African-Americans on the Tollway board to two. Two members have Hispanic surnames.
During the Quinn administration, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority board had two female members: Maria Saldana and Paula Wolff, who was chair.
Tollway directors, who make $31,426 a year, serve four-year terms, unless reappointed.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
PING!
Something you’ll never see...
“Women’s group praises...”
What? No trans gendered? A travesty I say.
Did Gov. Bruce Rauner select the best people for the job, and women are upset because he did not implement a quota system?
What is wrong with selecting the best of the best, regardless of sexual identity, color of skin, etc.?
Possession of a vagina does not automatically confer competence, knowledge or skills upon the possessor.
Ridiculous!
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