Quinn Names Former Chicago Cop As State Police Chief
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Gov. Pat Quinn has tapped a former high-ranking Chicago police officer and top aide at the Cook County State's Attorney's office to run the Illinois State Police.
Quinn nominated Hiram Grau as the new Illinois State Police Director on Friday, a month after the previous director, Jonathon Monken, stepped aside because the Illinois Senate would not confirm his nomination.
Monken's appointment to the top post at the state police drew immediate criticism two years ago, as Monken was only 29 years old at the time and had no previous law enforcement experience. Monken has since been named head of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
Grau served 27 years on the Chicago Police Department, retiring from the force as deputy superintendent of the Bureau of Investigative Services. He was also a finalist for the job of Chicago Police Superintendent in 2007 when Phil Cline stepped down, but the job ultimately went to Jody Weis, who resigned earlier this month.
In 2008, Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez named Grau as the second in command at her office's investigations division.
Quinn's office also announced Friday that Joe Costigan, a top official at Workers United, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union, would be the new director of the state's Department of Labor. Illinois State Fire Marshal Larry Matkaitis also was reappointed to another term and Quinn's acting general counsel, John Schomberg, was given the job full-time.
