Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn yesterday signed legislation that will replace the 13-member board of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) with a seven-member interim board. The Governor and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley have 30 days to appoint members to the interim board. The move was expected, as the Illinois General Assembly approved the measure last month.

The move to oust the board is just the latest shakeup in Chicago. Last month, the MPEA proposed legislation to the Illinois State Assembly that would essentially turn union workers at McCormick Place into public employees and prohibit labor strikes. The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA), the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and contractors Freeman and GES have all expressed public concerns with the legislation.