Carol Adams Declines Pat Quinn’s Offer of South Africa Trade Post after AP Reports “No Work Product” from Ex-Chauffeur

Ex-DHS Secretary Carol Adams

(Chicago, IL) — October 31, 2009. Former Illinois Department Human Services Secretary Carol Adams has reversed gears on the Illinois trade representative job in South Africa offered to her by Governor Pat Quinn. She quit.

The Chicago Tribune’s Monique Garcia reports today.

Carol Adams, a former Illinois Department of Human Services secretary, sent Quinn’s office a letter Friday saying she could not accept the job, explaining, “Pressing family medical issues make my relocation to South Africa prohibitive.

Adams’ tenure at DHS came under renewed fire just this week when her former agency revealed that the her state chauffeur performed no other state work, contradicting Adams’ earlier assertions.

The AP’s political reporter, John O’Connor, broke the story–and apparently broke Adams’ chances to hang on to the $110,000 per year trade post:

The Illinois Department of Human Services says it has no evidence that two highly paid ex-employees did any work other than acting as chauffeurs, a position that contradicts earlier statements by former Secretary Carol Adams.

Adams, recently appointed by Gov. Pat Quinn to an international trade post, claimed the two men did more than drive her and her chief of staff when lawmakers questioned her about the matter two years ago. However, she refused to prove it by releasing examples of the men’s other work.

Now, after another request from The Associated Press, Adams’ agency said there’s nothing to release. No work products exist.

Ah, huh.

Either no one at DHS reported that itsy-bitsy nugget to Quinn before he tapped Adams to the high-profile, cushy trade post or Quinn knew and appointed her anyway under pressure from key lawmakers. Either way, it’s a botched, mishandled mess.

Adams claims she has a new job lined up.

Quinn Signs Bill to Help At-Risk Youth, But Quinn Budget Cuts Youth Aid

(Springfield, IL) — Governor Pat Quinn yesterday signed legislation that expands the Redeploy Illinois Program which provides critical services for at-risk youth between the ages of 13 and 18.

Redeploy Illinois provides funding to counties for local agencies to deliver services such as therapy, substance abuse treatment, life skills education and victim-related services.

“I am proud to join these legislators here today to help our children by protecting their health and ensuring their bright future,” said Quinn.

The legislation, which was sponsored by Senator Heather Steans (D – Chicago) and House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago), will expand from a pilot program to a permanent initiative and allow more counties to be involved.

Quinn’s new budget, however, cuts approximately $6 million dollars or 10% from the Illinois Department of Human Services program that helps, well, at-risk-youth.

Quinn and lawmakers will need to retool the final budget so that at-risk-youth rhetorical claims and budget cash align.

Harris Wins House Approval of $1 Million Boost to Help Homeless Youth

(Springfield, IL) — The Illinois House yesterday voted 76-40 to increase state assistance to homeless youth by $1 million. Most Republicans voted no. Naturally.

State Rep. Greg Harris

The measure, House Bill 2469 sponsored by State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), would fund shelter and transitional housing and employment assistance for homeless youth through the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Harris has repeatedly advocated for increased funding for homeless youth services.

DHS, headed by Secretary Carol Adams, however cut youth services programs by more than $6 million in Governor Pat Quinn’s proposed Fiscal Year 2010 budget. These programs represent 1.07% of the total DHS general revenue fund budget, but program cuts represent 14.7 % of the total GRF budget cuts.

The kids took it on the chin in the Quinn budget. But they have Harris and an array of powerful supporters in their corner.

In addition to Harris, the bill sponsors include State Representatives: Harry Osterman, Robert Pritchard, LaShawn Ford, Beth Coulson, Deborah Graham, Mike Boland, Esther Golar, Rosemary Mulligan, William Davis, David Miller, Brandon Phelps, Will Burns, Elizabeth Hernandez, Deborah Mell, John D’Amico, Paul Froehlich, Charles Jefferson, Lou Lang and Ken Dunkin.

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

However, the real budget battle begins behind the scenes. Harris and his colleagues have a heavy rock to push uphill–winning the new money and restoring the old.

In the meantime, most Republicans will need to unspool their spin to explain why homeless kids are undeserving of shelter and help with a job. Sheez.

Carol Adams May Soon Be Out the Door

(Springfield, IL) — Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Carol Adams may soon be leaving her post. Finally.

Adams, a holdover from disgraced Governor Rod Blagojevich’s Administration, is one of the two finalists to head Chicago State University, according to CHI Town Daily News reporter Peter Sachs.

One of the big expectations among social service providers upon Pat Quinn’s ascension to the Governor’s office was that Quinn’s promised “fumigation” of state government would lead a swat team of fumigators to Adams’ door.

Perhaps a gentle nudge by Governor Quinn will do the trick.

But we’ll see. Adams’ departure has been rumoured since the first year of the Blagojevich Administration.

The university will make its decision by the end of June.