(Dis)appointments

Those hoping for a smooth transition from Governor Quinn to Governor Rauner were resoundingly disabused of that hope when Governor Quinn opted to make 51 appointments to boards and commissions on his way out the door. 

That incumbent Governors have the power to make these appointments is beyond dispute. They are, after all, empowered to appoint qualified individuals to open positions. But this is a case where the question of "should Governor Quinn make the appointments" should have taken precedence over "can Governor Quinn make the appointments." 

At issue is that the term of many of these appointees will extend beyond the conclusion of a Rauner first term. In the interest of clean government that respects the outcome of elections and the orderly transfer of power, these appointments should belong to Governor-elect Rauner. Instead, the well has been poisoned with the perception that the outgoing administration is simply looking to reward friends and allies while tying the hands of the incoming administration where possible.

These kinds of appointments are not a shocking development. Last minute appointments have been a part of American politics since, in what became known as the "midnight appointments," outgoing President John Adams attempted to entrench his Federalist views by using his last day in office to appoint numerous Federalist judges. Needless to say, incoming President Thomas Jefferson was not very happy about it. 

Historical practice aside, these types of appointments will always be disappointing for those of us on both sides of the aisle that desperately want to see our government shed past practices and take the high road.