Finance agency head renamed to 1-year term

SPRINGFIELD - A longtime aide to outgoing Gov. Pat Quinn has been renamed as executive director of a state agency that provides money for Illinois construction projects.

The Illinois Finance Authority board reappointed Chris Meister Tuesday to a one-year term - just a little over a month before Democrat Quinn leaves office.

Board chairman William Brandt says Meister agreed to step down before the end of his term if asked by incoming Republican governor-elect Bruce Rauner.

The 49-year-old Meister makes $187,500. He's been director since 2009. Brandt says his current one-year term expires Wednesday. The law requires the agency to have a full-time director.

Quinn was criticized Monday when his ex-campaign manager was named the $160,000-a-year director of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority despite Quinn's impending departure.