Panel OKs Quinn's board picks for various boards and commissions

SPRINGFIELD | Former state Rep. Tom Holbrook, of Belleville, was endorsed Monday for a $121,040 job as chairman of the Illinois Pollution Control Board.

Holbrook's appointment was among the more high profile moves by the Senate Executive Appointments Committee, which is charged with signing off on Gov. Pat Quinn's picks for various state boards and commissions.

Along with Holbrook, the panel gave John Colgan unanimous support to continue in his $117,000 post as a member of the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Holbrook, a Democrat, has been a member of the House since 1995 until stepping down in October to take the post.

Colgan, a longtime social service advocate, was among Quinn's first picks to remake the utility regulatory panel.

The nomination of both men now moves to the full Senate for final confirmation. The Senate returns to action today, but a date has not been set to act on the governor's nominees.

Other paid board positions endorsed by the committee Monday include:

• Charles Duncan, of Decatur, who was reappointed chief factory inspector for the Department of Labor. He has served in the position since 2001. He earns $52,179.

• William McClusky, of Harrisburg, who holds a $15,000 post as a member of the Illinois Department of Employment Security board of review.

• Five members of the Illinois Mining Board, each of whom will make $15,651 annually. They include Timothy Kirkpatrick, of Macedonia; George Teegarden, of Harrisburg; Jerry Cross, of Marissa; Frederick Frederking, of Coulterville; Donald Stewart, of Gillespie, and David Webb, of Raymond.