Quinn gives daughter of contributor a state job

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has appointed the daughter of Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke and a powerful Chicago alderman to a highly paid position in state government.

Attorney Jennifer Burke on Wednesday was named to the Illinois Pollution Control Board, a post that pays $117,043. The 41-year-old Burke’s previous job was assistant corporation counsel supervisor for the city of Chicago.

Justice Burke told the Chicago Tribune she had not heard of her daughter’s appointment and that it was not connected to political donations. Friends of Edward M. Burke campaign fund loaned Quinn $200,000 during his campaign for governor. The group donated more than $52,000 to the Democratic governor since he took office in January 2009.

Quinn spokeswoman Annie Thompson said campaign donations had no role in Jennifer Burke’s appointment.