Illinois lawmaker resigns to take transportation agency post

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A central Illinois lawmaker has resigned from the General Assembly to take a job in Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration.

Republican state Rep. Rich Brauer of Petersburg will join the Illinois Department of Transportation as assistant secretary.

Rauner's administration announced the appointment Friday, along with several reappointments to spots on the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. A news release Friday called Brauer a "strong advocate" for the region on transportation issues.

Brauer has been in the Illinois House for 12 years. He was first elected in 2002 and ran unopposed for re-election last year.

Colleagues on the House floor bid him farewell Friday ahead of the official announcement.

He told House colleagues he "looked forward to working with them in a different capacity in the future.