Senate prepares for confirmation vote on Illinois State Police director
SPRINGFIELD — More than 10 months after Gov. Pat Quinn appointed Jonathon Monken to lead the Illinois State Police, the state Senate has yet to approve the pick.
While Monken has been on the job since his appointment in March, lawmakers didn’t start the process of formally confirming him until this week. A vote either way could come in the next few weeks.
Monken is a U.S. Military Academy graduate who served in Iraq, but before being appointed, he had no police experience.
That led to some lawmakers’ hesitancy to confirm him as leader of the state police last year. Some now say Monken has performed well and concern has lessened.
Any shifting opinions are no guarantee that Monken will be confirmed, though, as some lawmakers maintain at least some hesitation.
State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, said feedback from troopers has shifted, but he can’t yet promise a vote for him.
“At first, it was negative,” Luechtefeld said. “And of late, it’s been positive.”
State Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, said he had no problem with Monken from the beginning: “I’m impressed with him.”
Since being appointed, Monken has gone through weapons, hazardous material and first responder training that are standard for all officers, state police spokesman Scott Compton said.
Monken also had to testify recently at a hearing about Quinn’s interest in purchasing Thomson Correctional Center from the federal government to house terrorism suspects.
“I’m glad that he has taken more classes,” said state Sen. Tony Munoz, D-Chicago. Munoz leads the committee that handles Quinn’s appointments.
State Sen. John Millner, a Carol Stream Republican and former police chief on the same committee, said he was pleased by Monken’s progress but wouldn’t commit to voting for him until he learned more.
Read the original article from Herald & Review.
12:14 pm
Where did Quinn suddenly come up with a person with absolutely no police experience to run a 2000 member police force. Only in such a corrupt state like Illinois can this happen. Go to Ispeeved blog to find out how the Dept. line officers feel about this-in contast to the management who use him as a puppet.
1:42 pm
Yes, Jim, I’m sure a site entitled “ispeeved” is a reliable source for unbiased input.
5:43 pm
Jim is right. I’m retired ISP and can tell you that the troops are not pleased at this appointment. ISP has many officers who are in the military reserves and some have been in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have a few that hold the military rank of Lieutenant Colonel and above as well. These people have proven they can function as police officers, have gone through State Police Academy training and know what problems the ISP is facing. They are proven leaders as well, and yet with all of this background and experience, Quinn decides to appoint some kid with absolutely no police experience just because he was in the Army. Monken is being played like a fiddle by the upper command officers who actually run this department. There are some questionable leaders in the upper ranks of ISP who are motivated by ego and personal gain rather than the good of the organization. Until those people are gone, or a director is appointed who knows who these people are and gets rid of them, the ISP will continue it’s downward spiral, which began with the appointment of former Director Terrance Gainer by Jim Edgar. Since then, butt kissers and yes men have been promoted over real leaders. It makes me very sad to see a once proud, professional organization bring turned into seat belt nazi’s and bumbling major homicide cases.
7:44 am
Lynn. Your experience and knowledge of the ISP is exactly what?? DJ is correct in the current conditions of the ISP as evidenced by the numerous promotions of the old guard after Monken was appointed. He is too busy playing policeman while these guys are deystroying a once proud organization playing in house politics. The high profile homicide blunders are just the ones the public gets to hear about. But as inept as the General Assembly has been and continues to be, I suspect they will all cave and support this nomination even if the rank and file oppose it.