Pritzker taps Andy Manar for senior adviser creating another vacancy in Illinois Senate

(The Center Square) – There’ll soon be another vacancy in the Illinois Senate after state Sen. Andy Manar takes on the role of senior adviser to Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Pritzker made the announcement Monday that Manar, D-Bunker Hill, will join his team.

“Andy has been one of the most thoughtful and successful lawmakers of his generation, and he will be a trusted adviser,” Pritzker said in a statement. “I value his insights and look forward to him joining my administration as we overcome this pandemic and rebuild Illinois together.”

Pritzker detailed Manar’s legislative accomplishments, such as reforming the state’s antiquated education funding formula and making insulin cheaper.

The Pritzker administration didn’t immediately respond to how much Manar will be paid, if it will be contractual or state salary with benefits, or if his compensation will be enhanced with private dollars as other senior Pritzker administration officials have received.

Before taking office, Pritzker announced that he would supplement the taxpayer-funded salaries of key employees with his own money. For instance, the Center for Illinois Politics reported that half of Pritzker’s chief of staff’s nearly $300,000 salary would come from taxpayers and the other half from Pritzker’s East Jackson Street LLC.

Manar will step down from his seat to begin the adviser role on Jan. 19, less than a week after he joins the next General Assembly.

“Because of the breadth of Manar’s policy background, he will advise the governor on a range of issues, including downstate economic revitalization, appropriations, and COVID-19 recovery efforts,” Pritzker’s office said.

“Governor Pritzker has shown tremendous leadership in the most grave crisis this state has experienced in our lifetime, and I’m honored to share what I’ve learned to advance his agenda to rebuild our state and stand up for working families,” Manar said in a statement.

“It’s hard to imagine the Illinois Senate without Andy Manar,” Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said. “The governor is very lucky to have him. I wish Andy all the very best in his new role.”

The vacancy created by Manar’s departure is the second one revealed in the past week. Last week, state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, who served as the Senate Minority Leader, announced his resignation.

“I will miss working with Leader Brady,” Harmon said Dec. 31. “He has proven time and again to be a results-driven lawmaker and leader.”

“Leader Brady has provided many successes for our caucus, specifically on infrastructure, education and business issues,” state Sen. Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorn Woods, said.

McConchie was selected to lead Senate Republicans as the minority leader.

Seats in the General Assembly vacated before a term is up and before the next election are filled by leaders from the same political party from the jurisdiction the seat represents.

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