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State's New Ag Director Already Facing Questions

Illinois has a new director of Agriculture, but Bob Flider is still facing questions from his time as an Illinois lawmaker.

Gov. Pat Quinn appointed Flider, a former House Democrat from the Decatur area, to the $133,000 dollar a year post Wednesday.

Critics, namely current Decatur-area state Rep. Adam Brown, are quick to point out that Flider voted for last year's income tax increases on his last day as a lame duck legislator.

Brown said Flider's nomination is a "slap in the face" to voters and Illinois farmers.

But Flider says his vote for the tax hikes has nothing to do with his new job.

Flider is the latest Democrat in Springfield who voted for 2011's tax increase to find a position in the Quinn administration.

As for his current job, Flider says he wants to focus on increasing Illinois' exports and he will "take a look at" the state's regulatory framework for the agriculture economy.

Flider has been on the job less than a week.

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