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EPA Director Exits Rauner Administration

Lisa Bonnett
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Lisa Bonnett
Lisa Bonnett
Credit Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Lisa Bonnett

  Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Lisa Bonnett retired Friday, according to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office.

Bonnett, who could not be reached for comment, was appointed director in 2013 and had worked 20 years at the agency, including as deputy director and chief financial officer. In a June 10 letter announcing her intention to depart Bonnett wrote that under Rauner's leadership that "they worked together to ensure that a healthy environment goes hand in hand with a healthy economy.”

Rauner did not comment on Bonnett’s departure in a press release on staff changes, but had  words of praise for departing Chief Operating Officer LindaLingle, the former governor of Hawaii.

“I thank Linda Lingle for her service to the people of Illinois,” Rauner said in the release. “Linda made a commitment to help us with our transformation efforts, and she has done a great job of helping to move our state in a new, positive direction. 

Meanwhile, Rauner named Alec Messina, his policy adviser for energy and the environment, as the state EPA head. Messina served as the EPA’s chief legal counsel during former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration. He also directed the trade association the Illinois Environmental Regulatory Group.

Copyright 2016 NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS

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