State Sen. Andy Manar to join governor’s staff

Andy Manar
State Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill). (WJBC file photo)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Pritzker’s newest “senior advisor,” State Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), says his previous jobs on Senate staff will help him in his new role.

“I don’t think its much different than that, and my area that i have focused on the most over the years is budget and bringing together diverse interests to craft something that can be agreeable that solves problems.”

And, in what you might call a polarized, supercharged political climate, Manar says the view from the ground in his sprawling central and southern Illinois district is the opposite, with mostly white rural Illinoisans sharing concerns with blacks in Springfield and Decatur.

Manar is also a dad whose three kids will be in college soon, so one can assume the nearly $200,000 raise coming with the job will come in handy.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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