SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. Bruce Rauner has replaced the leader of an Illinois agency that gave ex-Gov. Pat Quinn’s former campaign manager a $160,000-a-year job.

Rauner on Monday appointed supporter Manny Sanchez as chairman of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. Sanchez replaces former state Sen. Emil Jones Jr.

Jones was among the four Quinn appointees who voted last month to hire 30-year-old Lou Bertuca (bur-TOO’-kuh) to lead the agency that built and operates U.S. Cellular Field. Three board members appointed by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel voted no.

Emanuel said he was worried because the job required financial expertise. Rauner said he’d try to reverse the hire.

Jones defended Bertuca’s hiring, calling him a “smart, effective leader.”

Bertuca’s contract guarantees he’ll be paid in full for the two-year position even if he’s fired.

 

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