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.
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