By AP/KWMU
Collinsville, Ill – The aunt of a state representative who is a close ally of Governor Rod Blagojevich has been tapped for a $60,000 per-year state job.
Mary Koch is Representative Jay Hoffman's aunt. She has been named director of the newly formed "Opportunity Returns" office in Collinsville, east of St. Louis.
The office helps local businesses with employee training, market expansion and other problems.
Hoffman says he recommended his aunt for the job. But he adds Koch went through the same interview process as everyone else.
Koch once ran a similar job training program for the St. Clair County Intergovernmental Grants Department.
A state spokesman says five other candidates were interviewed for the position.