Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration wants University of Illinois trustees to reject a deal that would pay Chancellor Phyllis Wise a $400,000 bonus when she resigns.
Deputy Gov. Trey Childress wrote Tuesday to trustees Chairman Ed McMillan before he and the other two members of the trustees' executive committee consider the deal Wednesday.
Childress said the administration has ``deep reservations'' about the agreement.
McMillan did not return a call. Fellow committee member James Montgomery said the letter could be seen as political interference and a threat since the university relies on state funds.
Rauner is also an ex-officio member of the full board of trustees.
Wise is resigning amid troubles that include the university's disclosure she and others used private emails to discuss key matters without public scrutiny.