GOV’S TEAM TURNOVER
Here’s a rundown of who’s in and who’s out following a midterm staff shake- up at the office of Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner. The out- with- the- old, in- with- the- new strategy follows a legislative defeat in which 11 members of his own party broke with the governor to pass a compromise budget after a three- year stalemate.
Laurel Patrick
Role in Rauner administration: Director of communications Experience: Previously worked as press secretary to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker after Walker gutted publicsector unions. Graduated from the University of Illinois in 2009.
Michael Lucci
Role in Rauner administration: Deputy chief of staff for policy Experience: Worked as the vice president of policy for the Illinois Policy Institute, a far- right- leaning think tank. Lucci graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2007.
Kristina Rasmussen
Role in Rauner administration: New chief of staff Experience: Previously worked as president and chief operating officer of the Illinois Policy Institute.
Jean Hutton
Role in Rauner administration: Special assistant to Rasmussen Experience: Previously worked as director of operations for the Illinois Policy Institute. Her responsibilities included financial management, payroll administration, human resources, compliance and office administration.
Brad Hahn
Former role in Rauner administration: Communications director Experience: Hahn previously served as former Comptroller Leslie Munger’s chief of staff. He also worked as a spokesman for Munger’s predecessor, Judy Baar Topinka.
Catherine Kelly
Former role in Rauner administration: Deputy director of communications Experience: Hired in 2015 by the Rauner administration. Previously worked as a television news producer in Chicago.
Richard Goldberg
Former role in Rauner administration: Chief of staff Experience: Goldberg was the point man on Rauner’s failed “grand bargain.” Goldberg was formerly on U. S. Sen. Mark Kirk’s staff and has been with Rauner since he transitioned into office in 2015.
Lance Trover
Former role in Rauner administration: Deputy chief of staff for communications Experience: Started with Rauner as a campaign spokesman. Previously worked in communications for U. S. Sen. Mark Kirk, the Illinois Republican Party and the National Republican Senatorial Committee.