Seals’ state job made official

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Senate Thursday confirmed Dan Seals for a job as assistant director of the state’s economic development agency, giving the former candidate for Congress a $121,090-a-year state job.

Seals, a Democrat, ran three times for Congress in the 10th District beginning in 2006, losing twice to Republican Mark Kirk and most recently to Robert Dold.

Seals started his new job with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity earlier this month, but the Senate’s action makes his job official. He was appointed by Gov. Pat Quinn.

Sen. Dan Duffy, a Lake Barrington Republican, protested the appointment on the Senate floor, arguing Seals was being given the job because of his political connections.

“Here we go again,” Duffy said. “This is a real doozy.”

Sen. Terry Link, a Waukegan Democrat, shot back and defended Seals, saying he’s qualified for the job.

“I think it’s time we stop making disparaging remarks on an individual because they’ve been in the political process,” Link said.

Seals did economic development work between campaigns and worked as a director for General Electric before his first campaign.

He said earlier this month that he contacted Quinn asking about positions in the department he was eventually appointed to.