Quinn has until June 6 to reply to motion

CHICAGO - A federal judge says Gov. Pat Quinn has until June 6 to respond to a request for an investigation into hiring practices under the Democrat's administration.

Judge Sidney Schenkier set that deadline at a hearing in Chicago Tuesday regarding an ongoing civil lawsuit.

Last week, attorney Michael Shakman filed the motion requesting the investigation. Shakman spearheaded a decades-long court case leading to bans on political hiring.

Shakman's filing cites a Better Government Association report that Illinois' Department of Transportation skirted rules against political hiring in filling hundreds of positions.

In the wake of Shakman's motion, Quinn's office has said it has "zero tolerance" for violations of hiring procedures.

Judge Schenkier on Tuesday scheduled the next status hearing on the issue for June 17.