A plan to prevent future governors from engaging in last-minute patronage has cleared the Illinois General Assembly.

State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) introduced the proposal after former Gov. Pat Quinn appointed a political operative to a $160,000-per-year state job at the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority a month after he lost his election last year.

Her plan would affect any director appointed to a governor-controlled board or commission after the governor loses an election. They would be limited to 60 days in the position, allowing the newly elected governor to find the best person for the position. Morrison’s legislation extends beyond the ISFA to include similar government organizations.

“The people don’t trust Illinois government specifically because situations like this happen all the time,” Morrison said. “We shouldn’t need this law. Simple morality should be enough to prevent these stunts. But because Illinois governors can’t seem to stop misusing taxpayer money, we do.”

The Illinois Sports Finance Authority – a government entity – owns U.S. Cellular Field, home of the White Sox, and provided the majority of the financing for the renovation of the Bears’ Soldier Field. It receives subsidies from the state and the city of Chicago, income from the White Sox rental agreement, and revenue from a 2 percent tax on all hotel rentals in Chicago.

Morrison’s legislation, House Bill 4078, now goes to Governor Bruce Rauner for his review.