Pritzker Makes Prisoner Review Board Appointments
Former Manteno Mayor Tim Nugent at his last meeting earlier this year. Nugent was appointed to the Prisoner Review Board. (Photo: Shaw Media)
NOTE: This story was originally posted for subscribers only. To receive subscriber-only newsletters and content, click here.
Governor JB Pritzker has added two members to the controversial Prisoner Review Board, including a former Mayor at the center of criticism surrounding a proposed Chinese battery manufacturing plant.
Late Friday, Pritzker’s office announced former Manteno Mayor Tim Nugent, who left office earlier this year, would serve as Chair of the Prisoner Review Board, which rules on parole of inmates in state prisons. Pritzker’s office clarified Tuesday Nugent would serve as a $148,000-per-year member of the PRB.
He served as Mayor of the Kankakee County community for 20 years and runs the local economic development agency. Manteno was chosen for the proposed Gotion battery manufacturing plant, which has been skewered by conservatives for its ties to the Communist Party of China.
Pritzker also appointed PRB contractor Tracy Buckley to two of the six open slots on the 15-member board.
The Board still has no chair.
The PRB has come under fire in recent years for its decisions to release some inmates, including the release of Crosetti Brand, who was later convicted of murdering an 11-year-old boy. Brand’s release led to the resignation of two members of the board and legislation to reform the controversial panel.
