By AP/KWMU
Chicago, Ill. – Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is defending the agency's hiring of several of his relatives.
He spoke Monday to the editorial board of the Chicago Tribune and said the matter isn't comparable to scandals that led to the recent conviction on corruption charges of his predecessor.
White said he never pressured anyone to hire his relatives and saw nothing wrong with employing them as long as they were qualified.
But the man who's challenging White this fall, Republican state Senator Dan Rutherford, criticized White. Rutherford said he wouldn't hire family members if he wins the election.
White's daughter, Glenna White-Jones, was hired in 1994 when former Governor George Ryan was secretary of state. Three nieces and a nephew of White also work at the agency.