Pat Quinn
Current Governor
Became governor on January 29, 2009, when the previous governor, Rod Blagojevich, was impeached and removed from office.
Recommendation - Bad for Illinois
While Mr. Quinn seems to be a friend to veterans, he falls far short in critical areas including not fumigating Blagojevich leftovers who shortchanged veterans.
Mr. Quinn had his chance to show himself as the type of strong reform minded servant leader Illinois needs NOW by being decisive and doing the right thing for the citizens of Illinois and yet has blown it through his lack of meaningful action. Instead, it seems that his focus has been about appeasing those in power by reneging on initial reform promises and waffling on his stances so as to not upset those he believes will help ensure his election in 2010.
Quinn's actions have been to suggest an ill planned tax increase while retaining or even promoting Blagojevich appointees and threatening the layoff of regular state employees.
In addition, during the election of 2006 Mr. Quinn could and should have spoken up and renounced Rod Blagojevich concerning the scandals and investigations that surrounded him and yet did not. Imagine the waste, pain and even lives that may have been saved had Mr. Quinn spoken out and derailed the Blagojevich re-election.
Additional Details to Note
Blagojevich hires holding on
Clout counts, despite Quinn vow to 'fumigate' state government
Chicago Sun-Times, November 23, 2009
(Blagojevich Clout List. Many of these people are still employed by the state.)
Does not support or endorse the proposed legislature reforming
PutBack Amendment
Pat Quinn's Web Site
Pat Quinn is the 41st Governor of Illinois
Years as a Politician (20+)
Politician since 1982 when he was elected as commissioner of the Cook County Board of Tax Appeals, followed by:
Illinois State Treasurer (91-95)
Lt. Governor (03-09)
Governor (2009)
Elected Lieutenant Governor November 2002
Quinn won the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor in March of 2002 and subsequently won the general election on the Democratic ticket alongside gubernatorial nominee Rod Blagojevich in November of 2002.
The Blagojevich/Quinn ticket won re-election in November 2006.
Quinn's Words About Blagojevich:
"He's always been a person who's honest and one of integrity...I have confidence the governor does the right thing all the time." (Chicago Daily Herald, Quinn suddenly has little to say about Blagojevich October 20, 2006)
What Quinn has done for Blagojevich:
Quiet About Myriad Investigations Swirling Around Blagojevich's Administration. For all of his history of seeking publicity for government reforms, Quinn has been quiet about the myriad investigations swirling around Blagojevich's administration. (Chicago Tribune, Running Mates Run With Purpose, October 20, 2006)
"As recently as October 2006, after Tony Rezko's indictment, Quinn was out stumping for Blagojevich.
He held news conferences attacking the Republican gubernatorial candidate. He said he believed Blagojevich did nothing wrong, despite the Rezko indictment." (Southtown Star, Patty-Come-Lately on Recall, May 18, 2008)
As Governor, Quinn pushed to raise Illinois' income tax by 50%
"Quinn's proposal for a 50 percent increase in the state's income tax, along with a tripling of the current $2,000 personal deduction, quickly became the opening gambit for Statehouse talks. He also proposed higher taxes on business, a new pension plan for incoming state employees and a larger contribution for health care and pensions from current state workers."
(Chicago Tribune, Quinn lets tax out of bag, March 19, 2009)
Rezko took good care of my deputy treasurer Jack Lavin
"Quinn's deputy treasurer, Jack Lavin, went on to become chief financial officer of Rezko Enterprises and was recommended to Blagojevich by Rezko for his current post as director of the Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity." (Chicago Tribune, Running Mates Run With Purpose, October 20, 2006)
February 19, 2009, Chicago Tribune
Gov. Pat Quinn on Wednesday installed as his chief operating officer an appointee of ousted predecessor Rod Blagojevich who also has close ties to convicted fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko. The decision to name longtime friend Jack Lavin as one of his top aides raised eyebrows with some who said it
might send a message of politics as usual in Illinois.
Supporting a Phony:
August 27, 2001
Rod Blagojevich announces his candidacy for Governor railing against "24 years of corruption, mismanagement, and lost opportunities".
April 1, 2002
Pat Quinn says he is "totally dedicated to electing Rod Blagojevich".
September 20, 2002
Pat Quinn says the George Ryan scandals have made Illinois "a national laughingstock" and asks the voters "are you proud of your Illinois government today with scandal after scandal?"
The Blagojevich (with Quinn Lt. Gov) administration has redefined "national laughingstock"!
October 21, 2002
Pat Quinn attacks Blagojevich opponent Jim Ryan, accusing him of "dropping the ball" for not investigating George Ryan's corruption.
August 2003
Beverly Ascaridis begins a job with the state of Illinois, despite failing the hiring exam. Two weeks later, Rod Blagojevich receives a $1,500 check from her husband. Blagojevich claims it was a birthday gift for his seven year old daughter.
December 30, 2005
US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald publicly announces an investigation into the leasing of concession rights on Illinois tollway oasis. It was later revealed that the contracts had gone to top Blagojevich fundraiser Tony Rezko.
June 30, 2006
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan receives notice from Patrick Fitzgerald that his office is looking into "very serious allegations of endemic hiring fraud" in Blagojevich's administration.
September 16, 2006
Pat Quinn says he sees nothing wrong with Blagojevich's 7-year-old daughter receiving a $1,500 check from a man whose wife had just obtained a state job. He also says that "He's [Blagojevich] always been a person who's honest and one of integrity...I have confidence the governor does the right thing all the time."
Daily Herald, September 16, 2006
October 11, 2006
Blagojevich fundraisers Tony Rezko and Stuart Levine are indicted on charges of scheming to obtain kickbacks from firms seeking state contracts.
November 7, 2006
Blagojevich and Quinn re-elected amid scandal.
December 9, 2008
Rod Blagojevich arrested
June 2, 2009
Pat Quinn endorsed campaign finance reform bill that his own reform commission condemned.
