Gov. Pat Quinn has appointed Christopher Kennedy and Lawrance Oliver to serve on the University’s Board of Trustees.

Quinn’s office confirmed Chicago businessman Christopher Kennedy’s appointment in advance of the press conference. Kennedy is the son of the late Robert F. Kennedy. His uncle, senator Edward M. Kennedy, died Tuesday. Oliver is the chief counsel for investigations at the Boeing Company.

“On behalf of the University community, I am grateful for the willingness of Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Oliver to serve the University. I thank the Governor for acting quickly to ensure continuity in the functioning of the Board of Trustees,” University president B. Joseph White said in a press release.

The governor said he will not forcefully remove Frances Carroll and James Montgomery, the two trustees who have refused to resign. It is not in the University’s best interest to enter a lengthy legal battle, he said.

Quinn spoke with Carroll and Montgomery on Friday and said he planned to announce his decision Monday but waited because of a military funeral. The trustees should submit their resignations because “something bad happened” under their tenure, the governor said.

A commission appointed by Quinn called for all trustees to voluntarily resign after an investigation about clout’s effect on University admissions. Every trustee besides Caroll and Montgomery offered to step down.

Illinois Senate president John Cullerton, D-Chicago, plans to call a fumigation bill that would remove the two remaining trustees, said Rikeesha Phelon, the senator’s press secretary. The bill, which is not aimed specifically at the trustees, calls for the removal of about 750 state employees and members of boards and commissions.

House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, sponsored the bill which passed through the Illinois House of Representatives unanimously. The bill focuses on employees who received political appointments and focuses on those who began serving under former governors George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich.

Opponents of the bill say it is unfair because it will cost hundreds of innocent people their jobs.

During questioning Quinn addressed University administrators and their role in the admissions controversy. President B. Joseph White and chancellor Richard Herman “have some explaining to do” but any decisions on their fate will be left to the new board, Quinn said.

Quinn will make appointments for the five remaining trustee seats. The new board should be in place for September’s trustee meeting.

Jeremy Lacocque contributed to this story.