spectr17
03-07-2003, 10:10 PM
State DNR tracks down new director
Illinois governor appoints Brunsvold to replace Manning
March 7, 2003
By JEFF LAMPE, of the Peoria Journal Star
Joel Brunsvold went on his first hunt as a 14-year-old.
He'll go on his next hunt as director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. In a move that has been anticipated for two months, Gov. Rod Blagojevich appointed Rep. Brunsvold, D-Milan, as DNR director Thursday evening.
Pending expected Senate confirmation, Brunsvold will replace Brent Manning, who was confirmed Monday as director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
"Brent and I are somewhat similar in our philosophies on things," said Brunsvold, 61. "He was pretty much a hook-and-bullet guy. I am too."
Brunsvold said the DNR directorship has intrigued him for more than a decade.
"With the political scene the way it was for the last 20 years I didn't think I'd ever get here," said Brunsvold, who will be paid $113,200 per year. "Then Rod Blagojevich comes on the scene and, wham, it happened. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the governor's confidence in me."
And though Brunsvold is known as an accurate shooter while hunting his preferred quarry of pheasants, ducks or geese, that wasn't what prompted Blagojevich to put him in charge of the DNR and its current staff of approximately 1,700.
"I developed great respect for Joel when I worked with him as a member of the Illinois House," Blagojevich said in a press release. "He understands the complexity of issues the Department of Natural Resources deals with and has significant experience as a lawmaker at balancing the demands of conservation and development."
First elected to the House in 1983, Brunsvold is former chair of the agriculture and conservation committee and served on the environment and energy committee. He is also co-founder of the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus and has sponsored several pieces of conservation-related legislation.
"I find him very knowledgeable about issues relating to our agency to the extent he has had a personal conviction for supporting our agency," said Tom Flattery, director of the DNR's office of realty and environmental planning. "With his knowledge of the General Assembly and the process I think it's going to be a big benefit for us in the upcoming budget cycle. Usually in bad economic times natural resource agencies are the first to take a hit."
Brunsvold said his priorities will be handling expected cuts to the DNR's $750 million annual budget and assessing personnel needs. The DNR has lost more than 500 employees in the past few years to early retirement and cost-cutting measures.
"We may have to cut some programs," Brunsvold said. "But this is not all bad. This is an opportunity to make some major changes, maybe."
A graduate of Augustana College, Brunsvold worked for International Harvester and as a teacher and coach at Sherrard High School prior to his election to the House. He was also mayor of Milan. Brunsvold and wife Barbara have two sons, Ted and Tim, and one granddaughter.
Illinois governor appoints Brunsvold to replace Manning
March 7, 2003
By JEFF LAMPE, of the Peoria Journal Star
Joel Brunsvold went on his first hunt as a 14-year-old.
He'll go on his next hunt as director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. In a move that has been anticipated for two months, Gov. Rod Blagojevich appointed Rep. Brunsvold, D-Milan, as DNR director Thursday evening.
Pending expected Senate confirmation, Brunsvold will replace Brent Manning, who was confirmed Monday as director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
"Brent and I are somewhat similar in our philosophies on things," said Brunsvold, 61. "He was pretty much a hook-and-bullet guy. I am too."
Brunsvold said the DNR directorship has intrigued him for more than a decade.
"With the political scene the way it was for the last 20 years I didn't think I'd ever get here," said Brunsvold, who will be paid $113,200 per year. "Then Rod Blagojevich comes on the scene and, wham, it happened. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the governor's confidence in me."
And though Brunsvold is known as an accurate shooter while hunting his preferred quarry of pheasants, ducks or geese, that wasn't what prompted Blagojevich to put him in charge of the DNR and its current staff of approximately 1,700.
"I developed great respect for Joel when I worked with him as a member of the Illinois House," Blagojevich said in a press release. "He understands the complexity of issues the Department of Natural Resources deals with and has significant experience as a lawmaker at balancing the demands of conservation and development."
First elected to the House in 1983, Brunsvold is former chair of the agriculture and conservation committee and served on the environment and energy committee. He is also co-founder of the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus and has sponsored several pieces of conservation-related legislation.
"I find him very knowledgeable about issues relating to our agency to the extent he has had a personal conviction for supporting our agency," said Tom Flattery, director of the DNR's office of realty and environmental planning. "With his knowledge of the General Assembly and the process I think it's going to be a big benefit for us in the upcoming budget cycle. Usually in bad economic times natural resource agencies are the first to take a hit."
Brunsvold said his priorities will be handling expected cuts to the DNR's $750 million annual budget and assessing personnel needs. The DNR has lost more than 500 employees in the past few years to early retirement and cost-cutting measures.
"We may have to cut some programs," Brunsvold said. "But this is not all bad. This is an opportunity to make some major changes, maybe."
A graduate of Augustana College, Brunsvold worked for International Harvester and as a teacher and coach at Sherrard High School prior to his election to the House. He was also mayor of Milan. Brunsvold and wife Barbara have two sons, Ted and Tim, and one granddaughter.