Former Petraeus Aide Tapped to Head Ill. Veterans Affairs

(With additional reporting from The Associated Press)

A former aide to General David Petraeus has been nominated to be director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

Gov. Pat Quinn said Friday that Erica Borggren will be taking over the position vacated by Iraq War Veteran Dan Grant, who is leaving the position to attend Harvard's Masters of Business program.

Quinn said he expects "unanimous approval" of Borggren by the state Senate.

"David Petraeus is a pretty good reference, don't you think Erica?" Quinn said. "I could read for a long time what he has said about Erica. 'Matchless ability to research and analyze the most complex issues.' 'Exemplary in every respect.'"

Borggren is an Army Veteran and served as a senior staffer and speechwriter for General Petraeus.

"As a daughter of Illinois, and as a veteran myself, I can think of no more exciting or worthwhile endeavor than this one," she said.

Borggren also praised Illinois and Gov. Quinn, saying the state is "at the forefront of the veteran community."

Previous Veterans' Affair director Tammy Duckworth also supports the nomination. Duckworth recently announced her run for Congress in the 8th District of Illinois.

Meanwhile, Quinn signed legislation Friday to make it an annual goal for the state to set aside a certain percentage of its contracts for businesses owned by vets.

According to Quinn's office, the new law would make the goal three percent of every state contract be reserved for businesses owned by veterans and service-disabled veterans. The governor said it's a way to recognize their service.

Eligible businesses must be based in Illinois, 51 percent owned by veterans and have annual gross sales of $75 million or less. Larger veteran-owned businesses are able to apply for exemptions.