Quinn hires longtime aide again

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Pat Quinn has again hired longtime aide Claude Walker to his communications staff.

A spokeswoman said Walker is a senior policy writer and liaison to several government agencies. He is being paid $80,000 to draft communications, policies and analyses.

Quinn spokeswoman Brooke Anderson said Tuesday that Walker fills two vacancies on the governor’s staff.

Walker has served the Democratic governor in various roles since Quinn became state treasurer in 1991.

Quinn briefly hired him in 2010 to promote canoeing and kayaking for the Department of Natural Resources. That plan was scuttled just hours after it was made public after angry lawmakers objected to hiring an $85,000 “canoe czar.”

He also has worked for the Citizens Utility Board and the Chicago Sun-Times.