Pat Quinn Names Gladyse Taylor to Replace Michael Randle at Department of Corrections

Chicago - Gov. Pat Quinn has named Gladyse Taylor, an assistant director from the Department of Corrections, to be its new acting chief.

Taylor has been assistant director of the department since May. Before that, she worked in the governor's budget office.

Quinn said Friday that Taylor knows the Corrections Department "like the back of her hand." But Quinn would not say whether he'll keep her as head of Corrections if he is elected to a full term in November.

Quinn named Taylor to replace outgoing Director Michael Randle.

Randle became a political liability for Quinn because of a secret prisoner release program he oversaw. He's resigned to run a community correctional facility in Ohio .

Randle's departure comes after a review last month of the early release program. It found that the corrections cepartment didn't consider possible dangers to the public when it tried to save money by letting prisoners out early, including some who were violent.