SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed a Jacksonville business owner to lead the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, and he expertise in laying asphalt and donating to Republican causes.
Jim Bruner is known for his business acumen, having led United Contractors Midwest since 2001.
Before that, he spent 30 years as president of the Illinois Valley Paving Company in Winchester.
What’s unclear is how that experience prepares him to lead a state agency. A governor’s spokeswoman says Bruner served on the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library foundation board 11 years ago.
The state board of elections shows Bruner, since early 2013, has donated more than 100-thousand dollars to Republican causes – including a five figure donation to a conservative Political Action Committee.
The most recent IHPA director, Amy Martin, earned a roughly $110,000 annual salary.