Illinois Lt. Gov. hires longtime biz journalist to do PR

Robert Reed, a longtime business journalist who is also the co-author of a business journalism textbook, has been hired to be the chief spokesman of Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn.

Paul Merrion of Crain’s Chicago Business reports, “Mr. Reed, 55, a former editor of Crain’s Chicago Business, also has been a columnist for Chicago magazine and a frequent commentator on Chicago-area radio and television. He has worked for Bloomberg Business News, Business Week and, most recently, CBS-owned Bnet.com.

“He was hired one day before the Dec. 9 arrest of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is facing federal criminal charges of corruption. The governor also faces impeachment by the state Legislature and pressure to resign or step down temporarily, which would make Mr. Quinn the state’s chief executive.

“Mr. Reed, who confirmed details of his hiring but declined to comment, has been working part time for the state, advising the lieutenant governor as the Blagojevich scandal has thrust Mr. Quinn further into the spotlight. Mr. Reed officially starts his job as communications director on Jan. 5.”

Read more here. Reed is also the co-author of “Covering Business: A Guide to Aggressively Reporting on Commerce and Developing a Powerful Business Beat.”