SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Gov. Bruce Rauner has announced new positions in his legislative team and expanded the responsibilities of a staffer who the governor's office says will work on cultivating relationships with lawmakers.
Rauner announced Friday that Mitch Holzrichter will be his deputy chief of staff for legislative affairs and his special counsel. The governor's office says Holzrichter will oversee legislative affairs for Rauner and supervise lawyers in the executive's office.
The governor's office says Holzrichter has already been representing the administration in budget negotiations.
Rauner also announced that Jim Kaitschuk will have an expanded role as director of legislative affairs. He currently has the title of legislative director, but the governor's office says his role will now include working with lawmakers to pass Rauner's proposals, in addition to overseeing day-to-day legislative operations.