By AP/KWMU
Springfield, Ill – Governor Rod Blagojevich has named his mother-in-law and his top deputy's wife to the Illinois Arts Council.
Margaret Mell and Harper Montgomery are serving on the board that develops the state's policies regarding art and approve state grants for the arts.
Mell is the mother of the governor's wife, Patti. Deputy Governor Bradley Tusk is Montgomery's husband.
They are two of 21 members who receive no salary but are reimbursed for expenses.
Montgomery has an extensive art background and was an assistant curator at New York's Museum of Modern Art.
Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff says Mell studied art history and has been very active in the arts community for years.
The Chair of the Arts Council is Shirley Madigan. She's the wife of House Speaker Michael Madigan and mother of Attorney General Lisa Madigan.