Ex-Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle’s New Gig in Illinois Proves Lucrative

She makes more money as a gubernatorial aide there than she did while running the Aloha State.

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Location, location, location.

Being a gubernatorial aide in one state can pay better than being governor of another state, according to a report in the Quad-City Times.

In 2010, the final year of her eight-year run as governor of Hawaii, Republican Linda Lingle earned $117,306. In July, she’ll start earning $198,000 annually as chief operating officer for Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, the newspaper reported.

Lingle is already working for Rauner on a $60,000 contract that runs from April to June.

Rauner calls Lingle a “superstar” and says he’s willing to pay big salaries to experts who will help “fix the state,” the newspaper reported.

She’s not his highest-paid aide — that designation goes to his education czar, who pulls in $250,000 annually.

Lingle was governor of Hawaii from 2002 to 2010, then made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate in 2012.

Lingle Portrait

Then-Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle stands next to her portrait during its unveiling, Nov. 22, 2010.

Office of the Governor

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