Governor’s candidate gets sports authority job

The choice of a director for a sports facility commission has further revealed a spat between Gov. Pat Quinn and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority chose Kelly Kraft on Thursday. She’s Quinn’s chief spokeswoman and had the Chicago Democrat’s full backing.

But Emanuel had publicly questioned her candidacy and her experience.

The authority’s board has seven members; four are picked by Quinn and three by the mayor. The governor’s four appointees voted for Kraft after a closed meeting.

Emanuel’s spokeswoman says it is “unfortunate” the board didn’t consider the mayor’s top pick, former Sara Lee executive Diana Ferguson.

The board cited Kraft’s expertise in budgets and communications.

The authority builds and renovates professional sports team stadiums. It manages U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox.