ChiefReason
03-23-2003, 08:05 PM
Police, terrorism agencies get new bosses
By Matt Adrian
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Rod Blagojevich has appointed new directors to the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
Blagojevich selected Larry G. Trent to lead the Illinois State Police and William C. Burke to head the Emergency Management Agency. Mike Chamness, the current director of the Emergency Management Agency, will remain on the state payroll and head the Illinois Terrorism Task Force.
Chamness earns $98,135 in his current job. Blagojevich spokesmen could not say how much he would earn in his new position.
Chamness was a key witness in the federal government’s probe into the licenses-for-bribes scandal. He received immunity from prosecution when he testified during the trial of Scott Fawell, the former chief of staff and campaign manager for former Gov. George Ryan. Fawell, who was convicted Wednesday in Chicago, was tried for his handling of Ryan’s gubernatorial campaign and the operation of the Secretary of State’s office under Ryan.
Blagojevich said Chamness’ role in the scandal is inconsequential when compared with his knowledge of homeland security.
Trent, 55, of Brighton, the new director for state police, served on the state police for 22 years and retired in 1993.
After leaving the state police, he became the vice president for Argosy Gaming Co., a security and investigation firm. He has also taught courses on criminal and constitutional law at the state police academy.
Burke, 61, of Hyde Park, has served as regional administrator for the U.S. General Services Administration. He has also served as the Inspector General for the Illinois Department of Military Affairs. He is currently a marketing director for Teng & Associates, a Chicago architectural engineering firm.
The State Emergency Operation Center has been activated to allow better communication among state agencies. Emergency response teams have been placed throughout the state to deal with weapons of mass destruction and chemical threats. The state has also increased security around critical infrastructure.
“My message remains the same,” Blagojevich said. “Go about your business as you always do, you can rest assured that we have taken the preparations for any threat that comes our way.”
Carl Hawkinson, the state’s head of homeland security, said early estimates suggest the heightened readiness will cost the state $20,000 a day.
I had heard the rumors of Chamness's departure for several months. This confirms it. Note that he didn't lose his job. He was just re-assigned. Strange. Gov. Blago said that Chamness's involvement in Illinois's dirty politics was insignificant when compared to his knowledge of terrorism? That warms my heart!
I believe that Billy Burke will do a very good job as new head of IEMA. The only skeleton in his closet is that he is a Ryan holdover.
Carl Hawkinson is from Galesburg just down the road from me. I don't have to tell you that he has impeccable credentials. Too bad he was Lt. Gov. on Jim Ryan's ticket. We lost a great state senator.
Anyway, you saw it first here in the Illinois thread.
CR
By Matt Adrian
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Rod Blagojevich has appointed new directors to the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
Blagojevich selected Larry G. Trent to lead the Illinois State Police and William C. Burke to head the Emergency Management Agency. Mike Chamness, the current director of the Emergency Management Agency, will remain on the state payroll and head the Illinois Terrorism Task Force.
Chamness earns $98,135 in his current job. Blagojevich spokesmen could not say how much he would earn in his new position.
Chamness was a key witness in the federal government’s probe into the licenses-for-bribes scandal. He received immunity from prosecution when he testified during the trial of Scott Fawell, the former chief of staff and campaign manager for former Gov. George Ryan. Fawell, who was convicted Wednesday in Chicago, was tried for his handling of Ryan’s gubernatorial campaign and the operation of the Secretary of State’s office under Ryan.
Blagojevich said Chamness’ role in the scandal is inconsequential when compared with his knowledge of homeland security.
Trent, 55, of Brighton, the new director for state police, served on the state police for 22 years and retired in 1993.
After leaving the state police, he became the vice president for Argosy Gaming Co., a security and investigation firm. He has also taught courses on criminal and constitutional law at the state police academy.
Burke, 61, of Hyde Park, has served as regional administrator for the U.S. General Services Administration. He has also served as the Inspector General for the Illinois Department of Military Affairs. He is currently a marketing director for Teng & Associates, a Chicago architectural engineering firm.
The State Emergency Operation Center has been activated to allow better communication among state agencies. Emergency response teams have been placed throughout the state to deal with weapons of mass destruction and chemical threats. The state has also increased security around critical infrastructure.
“My message remains the same,” Blagojevich said. “Go about your business as you always do, you can rest assured that we have taken the preparations for any threat that comes our way.”
Carl Hawkinson, the state’s head of homeland security, said early estimates suggest the heightened readiness will cost the state $20,000 a day.
I had heard the rumors of Chamness's departure for several months. This confirms it. Note that he didn't lose his job. He was just re-assigned. Strange. Gov. Blago said that Chamness's involvement in Illinois's dirty politics was insignificant when compared to his knowledge of terrorism? That warms my heart!
I believe that Billy Burke will do a very good job as new head of IEMA. The only skeleton in his closet is that he is a Ryan holdover.
Carl Hawkinson is from Galesburg just down the road from me. I don't have to tell you that he has impeccable credentials. Too bad he was Lt. Gov. on Jim Ryan's ticket. We lost a great state senator.
Anyway, you saw it first here in the Illinois thread.
CR