patronage

Thomas R. Donovan, who served as patronage chief under Mayor Richard J. Daley in the 1970s and later became president of the Chicago Board of Trade, died at 88. He played a key role in Chicago politics, including helping appoint Michael Bilandic as acting mayor after Daley's death and maintaining political influence through patronage. Donovan left the mayor's office after Bilandic's 1979 election loss and worked at the Chicago Board of Trade until his death.

Hochul has given Richard Kessel another opportunity, with concerns that this may involve misuse of public funds through patronage practices. The article warns of potential financial exploitation linked to this appointment.