Quinn insider tapped for tollway job

A top aide to Gov. Pat Quinn is taking a high-ranking position at the Illinois tollway.

Lou Bertuca, director of planning and protocol in the governor's office, starts Tuesday as deputy chief of staff at the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.

The position has been vacant since late 2010. It is exempt from rules banning political hiring, tollway officials said. A number of candidates interviewed for the job, which was not posted.

His job responsibilities include supervising tollway intergovernmental affairs and taking charge of special projects related to day-to-day tollway management, officials said.

“It's a vital role, and we're happy to have him on board,” tollway Director of Communications Wendy Abrams said.Bertuca has held various positions in the governor's office, and is experienced in statewide and local outreach, Abrams said.His salary will be $89,000 annually. The position previously paid $130,000 a year.Tollway officials also recently promoted Michael Stone to chief of staff. Stone, an attorney who was tollway chief of administration, previously worked as Cook County chief deputy assessor. He will be paid $148,000. Quinn has the authority to appoint tollway board members.