Gov. Pat Quinn Taps Jack Lavin as Chief of Staff; 3rd in 2 Years

(Chicago, IL) — December 13, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today named long-time aide Jack Lavin as his Chief of Staff, replacing current Chief of Staff Michelle Saddler, appointed to the job in August, who will resume her previous post as Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services.

“Jack Lavin has helped my administration accomplish many of our top priorities and I have full confidence that he has the vision and ability to lead my office into a successful new term and will tackle the many serious issues facing our state,” said Quinn.

Lavin, who will be Quinn’s third chief of staff in less than two years, has served as Quinn’s Chief Operating Officer since February 2009.

Prior to his appointment as the state’s Chief Operating Officer, Lavin served as the Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, appointed by former Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Lavin also spent four years working for then-State Treasurer Pat Quinn as Deputy Treasurer.

“I am honored to serve the people of Illinois as Governor Quinn’s Chief of Staff,” said Lavin.

Lavin is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has a master’s degree in business with a specialization in finance, as well as a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Chicago.

He resides in Chicago with his wife, Kathy, and their three children.

As for Saddler, she said, “Returning to the Department of Human Services will allow me to pursue my truest passion and continue to address the immense challenges and needs facing human services in Illinois.”

Saddler was appointed by Quinn to be Secretary of DHS on Oct. 11, 2009 and then tapped her for his Chief of Staff after Jeremy Stermer resigned in a minor ethics flap. Stermer returned this month as a “senior advisor” to Quinn.

“Michelle Saddler has done an excellent job as Chief of Staff. However, I wish to honor her preference to return to the work she began at the Department of Human Services,” said Quinn.