Where a position as financial resources director entailed substantial policymaking authority, it fell within the exception to the ban on political patronage dismissals.The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a decision by U.S. District Judge Colin Sterling Bruce, Central District of Illinois.In July 2007, downstate Vermilion County hired Nicole Bogart as its financial resources director. Bogart, a Democrat, replaced the prior financial resources director who had ties to the Republican Party and was fired shortly …