THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER
Governor Pat Quinn
Rahm Emanuel, Toni Preckwinkle Release Cautious Statements of Support on Quinn Illinois Pension Plan
(Chicago, IL) – April 20, 2012. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today released cautious statements of support for Governor Pat Quinn’s proposed Illinois pension plan reforms. Continue reading
Governor Pat Quinn Announces Illinois Pension Reform Plan
(Chicago, IL) – April 20, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced an Illinois pension reform plan that he claims is expected to save taxpayers $65 to $85 billion. Continue reading
Governor Pat Quinn Pushes $2.7 Billion Illinois Medicaid Savings Plan
(Springfield, IL) – April 19, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced his own plan to cut Illinois Medicaid costs by $2.7 billion from the Illinois’ troubled health care program for poor. Continue reading
Late Night: Indicted State Rep. Derrick Smith Has Stashed $100,000 in Campaign Cash… and More
(Chicago, IL) – April 16, 2012. Usually candidates–even victors–in tough primary fights end a campaign with an empty treasury. But not indicted State Rep. Derrick Smith (D-Chicago). Smith apparently made a profit. Continue reading
Video: IL House Minority Leader Tom Cross, U.S. Rep Aaron Schock Hit Illinois Health Exchange Implementation
(Chicago, IL) — April 14, 2014. Special Report: U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Peoria) and Illinois House Republican Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) on Friday held a press conference in Cahokia, Illinois to criticize Governor Pat Quinn and lawmakers’ efforts to move forward with plan to establish Illinois Health Exchanges, a key feature of President Barack Obama’s health care reform law. Continue reading
Late Night: A.G. Lisa Madigan Reports Investigators See 3,200 in Illinois Trading Child Pornography Online… and More
(Chicago) — April 10, 2012. As part of crackdown on traffickers who are trading child pornography online, Attorney General Lisa Madigan revealed on Friday that her office’s investigators have monitored in the last 120 days 3,200 Illinois IP addresses trading child pornography. Continue reading
Late Night: Beaubien Widow Reportedly to Launch Independent Challenge to GOP’s David McSweeney for House Seat… and More
(Chicago) – April 7, 2012. A conservative on-line newspaper is reporting that Dee Beaubien, the widow of State Rep. Mark Beaubien (R-Barrington), intends to run for the Illinois House as an independent against GOP nominee David McSweeney in the November 2012 election. Continue reading
Late Night: Chicago Dog Registration Zooms after Chicago Clerk Susana Mendoza Crackdown… and More
(Chicago, IL) – March 31, 2012. After a string of high-profile, vicious attacks in Chicago by unlicensed pit bulls, Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza launched a crackdown on dog registration in January, an effort which has boosted dog licenses 99.4% in the first three months of 2012. Since the launch of the crackdown in January, … Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn Gives Jolt to Use of Electric Cars in Illinois
(Chicago, IL) – March 30, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn and other officials yesterday announced the availability of electric car fast-charging stations at four Illinois Tollway Oasis locations, charging stations will soon be available at all seven Tollway Oasis locations. Continue reading
Bill Clinton to Speak at World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Chicago
(Chicago, IL) – March 26, 2012. The Chicago World Summit Host Committee today announced that ex-President Bill Clinton will deliver the keynote address to the 12thWorld Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Chicago on April 23 – 25 Continue reading
Rep. Ann Williams Applauds Illinois Senate Panel Rejection of Anti-Gay Adoption Bill
(Springfield, IL) – March 23, 2012. The Illinois Senate Executive Subcommittee on Civil Rights voted down on Thursday a Republican plan that would allow Illinois adoption agencies to refuse to serve same-sex couples seeking to adopt children. Continue reading
Illinois Unemployment Rate Falls to 9.1% Providing a Boost to Gov. Pat Quinn
(Chicago, IL) – March 23, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn got some good news yesterday. Continue reading
U.S. Small Business Administration Approves Gov. Pat Quinn’s Southern Illinois Disaster Declaration Request
(Springfield, IL) – March 22, 2012. In a relentless pursuit of federal assistance, Governor Pat Quinn today announced that the Illinois’ request for a U.S. Small Business Administration disaster declaration has been approved for Southern Illinois, including Harrisburg, which was whacked by deadly tornadoes in February. The declaration makes low-interest loans available to homeowners, renters … Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn Hails Illinois House Passage of Legislative Scholarship Repeal
(Springfield, IL) – March 21, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today praised the Illinois House of Representatives for voting to abolish the troubled Illinois General Assembly scholarship program. The House voted, 79-25, to approve the plan, House Bill 3810, which is sponsored by State Rep. Fred Crespo (D-Hoffman Estates). “I applaud the members of the House … Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn Names New Illinois Commerce Commission Member
(Chicago, IL) – March 16, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today announced a new appointment to the Illinois Commerce Commission, tapping an energy and environment policy expert. Continue reading
Late Night: How Did Democrat Chris Welch Snag Republican Skip Saviano’s Support?…and More
(Chicago, IL) – All Politics is Local Part I – Democratic state representative candidate Chris Welch of Hillside, who’s campaigning for an open seat in western Cook County, won the open support of the Illinois House GOP Campaign Chairman and nearby incumbent State Rep. Angelo “Skip” Saviano (R-Elmwood Park) in large part because he is not fellow Democrat Rory Hoskins, Welch’s top opponent in the four-way Democratic primary, sources say. Continue reading
This Just In … U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. Leads Democratic Opponent Debbie Halvorson by 36 Points, New Poll Says
(Chicago, IL) – March 12, 2012. A new poll obtained by THE iLLINOIS OBSERVER reveals that among likely Democratic primary voters in Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District, Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. has solidified his support and is walloping ex-Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson by 36 percentage points. Governor Pat Quinn, who was likely tipped to the poll results … Continue reading
Late Night: Illinois House GOP Lawmaker Backs Democrat for House… and More
(Chicago, IL) – Friends Like This Are Hard to Find – When it is your job to help elect Republicans to the Illinois House of Representatives, an out-stretched, bi-partisan hand can seem, sometimes, stretched out of its socket when the Chairman of the Illinois House Republican campaign committee endorses a Democrat for the House. But … Continue reading
Obama to Illinois: Drop Dead – Feds Deny Gov. Pat Quinn’s Disaster Assistance Request for Harrisburg Tornado
(Springfield, IL) – March 11, 2012. Well, he’s not playing favorites with his home state. Continue reading
Late Night: Poll Says Kenny Johnson Leads Christian Mitchell; Who Wants Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Private Cell Phone Bills?… and More
(Chicago, IL) – Over the Cliff Together – Governor Pat Quinn’s opposition to a bi-partisan revenue estimate resolution, sponsored by House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) and Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego), which was $221 million below the Governor’s estimate, was well known. The Illinois Responsible Budget Coalition, chaired by John Bouman, also criticized the Madigan-Cross … Continue reading
Late Night: Poll Says Silvana Tabares Leads Rudy Lozano; Nursing Home Reform Imperiled?… and More
(Chicago, IL) – Transparency for Everyone – At an Illinois Senate Executive Committee hearing today, State Senator Martin Sandoval’s plan to subject Illinois non-profits who receive state money to the state’s Freedom of Information Act unleashed a storm of opposition from, unsurprisingly, non-profits. Among them at the hearing was the influential Donors Forum of Chicago. … Continue reading
Wednesday Watch: The Most Expensive Illinois Legislative Primary? Judicial Pensions on the Table?…and More
(Springfield, IL) – And The Prize For Most Expensive Primary So Far Goes To… GOP State Senators Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) and Christine Johnson (R-Shabbona) for harvesting $581,100 with which to clobber each other. Second Prize Goes To… State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) and State Rep. Chris Nybo (R-Lombard) for vacuuming in $512,800 for their slugflest. … Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn, County Board President Toni Preckwinkle Dump Illinois Medical District Commissioners
(Chicago, IL) – March 6, 2012. Launching a joint strike, Governor Pat Quinn and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle today dumped five commissioners on the financially troubled Illinois Medical District Commission and replaced them with fresh appointees. Continue reading
Tuesday Tips: Chicago North Side Judge Campaign Rolls in Dough, Rolls Out Cable Ad; Emanuel Wants to Lease City Land to Catholic Charities for $1 … and More
(Chicago, IL) – Chicago North Side Judge Campaign Rolls in Dough, Rolls Out Video Ad – Judge Celia Louise Gamrath, who is hustling by going door-to-door for a seat from the lakefront 8th Judicial Subcircuit on Chicago’s north side once held Chicago’s first openly gay judge, Tom Chiola, is out with a polished video ad … Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn, Mayor Rahm Emanuel Announce Appointees to McCormick Place Board
(Chicago, IL) – March 5, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn and Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today their eight appointments for the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Board. The appointees from Quinn are Carmen Lonstein, Ron Powell, Bob Reiter and Becky Strzechowski. Emanuel’s are: Roger J. Kiley, Jr., Dan Hynes, Frank M. Clark, Jr. and Julie Chavez. … Continue reading
In Tornado Ravaged Harrisburg Illinois, Gov. Pat Quinn Declares Southern Illinois Region a Disaster Area
(Harrisburg, IL) – February 29, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today issued a state disaster proclamation for tornado-damaged areas in Harrisburg, Illinois, following storms that raged through the region leaving 10 dead and 100 injured. Continue reading
Following Southern Illinois Tornado Killing 6, Gov. Pat Quinn to Visit Harrisburg
(Springfield, IL) – February 29, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today activated the State Emergency Operations Center following severe storms and tornadoes that struck Harrisburg in Southern Illinois early this morning, leaving 6 dead and 100 injured. Quinn will visit Harrisburg later today. Illinois Emergency Management Agency regional personnel were deployed to Harrisburg soon after the … Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn Dedicates Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Trail Honoring Black History Month
(Chicago, IL) – February 20, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn, a relentless supporter of Illinois veterans, today dedicated the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Trail in Chicago. Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn, Senator Annazette Collins Push Illinois Ethics Referendum Amendment
(Chicago, IL) – February 12, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today proposed an amendment to the Illinois Constitution that would allow state voters to enact ethics reforms through popular initiative and referendum. “Our citizens must always have a role in keeping our government honest and ethical,” said Quinn. Sponsored by State Senator Annazette Collins (D-Chicago), the … Continue reading
Is Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Springfield Winning Streak Over?
(Chicago, IL) – In Springfield Rahm was on roll. He won approval for his school plan to extend the school day and school year. He won approval for the DREAM act to help enable privately-funded scholarship for undocumented students. He won approval of his speed camera plan to fine speeding drivers in school zones. He … Continue reading
Despite Capitol Fax Publisher Plea, Governor Pat Quinn Makes a Big Announcement
(Chicago, IL) – December 23, 2011. Despite Capital Fax Publisher Rich Miller’s public plea to Governor Pat Quinn to refrain from any big announcements while Miller went on holiday, Quinn refused to oblige. Continue reading
Illinois-Backed Disabled Children Housing Closes; Gov. Pat Quinn Announces New Illinois-Backed Disabled Housing Program
(Chicago, IL) – December 19, 2011. Here’s an example Illinois state government dysfunction at its worst. Continue reading
Illinois Lawmakers Send Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Bill to Gov. Pat Quinn
(Chicago, IL) – December 1, 2011. What is one of the most important steps that could be taken to save the life of teenager in the throes of a drug overdose? Telephone for medical help. Continue reading
Mayor Emanuel Praises Feigenholtz, Steans for Illinois Homeless Shelter Funding Restoration
(Springfield, IL) – November 29, 2011. The Illinois General Assembly on Tuesday approved legislation that would restore $4.3 million to emergency shelter services for homeless Illinois citizens, drawing warm praise from Chicago’s mayor. “I applaud the Illinois General Assembly for restoring critical funding to the Emergency and Transitional Housing program that supports homeless services and shelters,” … Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn Taps New DCFS Director
(Springfield, IL) – November 23, 2011. In the wake of the resignation of the scandal tarred and feather ex-Director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services in September, Governor Pat Quinn today Quinn today announced a replacement for Erwin McEwen. Continue reading
Chicago’s CTA Red Line, Purple Line Get Billion Dollar Boost from Gov. Pat Quinn, Mayor Rahm Emanuel
(Chicago, IL) – November 3, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel are officially guy-pals. Continue reading
Illinois “Budgeting for Results” Initiative Praised, Panned
(Chicago, IL) — November 2, 2011. The Illinois Budgeting for Results Commission today issued their first report to Governor Pat Quinn and the state legislature detailing their recommendations on how to restore state’s fiscal health, bringing praise from Quinn and ridicule from some state vendors. Continue reading
State Rep. Tom Holbrook Tapped as Illinois Pollution Control Board Chief, Boosting Salary $50,000
(Chicago, IL) – October 24, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today named State Rep.Tom Holbrook (D-Belleville) to head the Illinois Pollution Control Board. Holbrook will resign his House seat on Tuesday. Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn Names Illinois Gaming, Racing Board Members
(Chicago, IL) October 24, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today rolled-out numerous appointments to the state’s more than 320 boards and commissions, including the Illinois Gaming Board and the Illinois Racing Board. Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn Taps Illinois Transportation, Aging, Agriculture, Insurance, Environment Agency Chiefs
(Chicago, IL) -– October 24, 2011. The deck chairs are on the move. Governor Pat Quinn today announced Ann Schneider, who has been the Acting Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation for several months will get the post permanently and John Holton will take over as the Director of the Illinois Department on Aging. Continue reading
Does McCormick Place Agreement Mark the High-Point of the Quinn-Emanuel Chum-Fest?
(Chicago, IL) – October 21, 2011. Despite—or because of—their growing and testy rivalry, Governor Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel today appeared with together for a press conference—where they could keep an eye on each other–to announce agreements with two McCormick Place labor unions to re-patch earlier legislated labor reforms that a court had earlier overturned stemming from a union lawsuit. Continue reading
Gov. Pat Quinn Kills Illinois Gaming Bill; Offers Counter Plan Likely to Sink New Casinos
(Chicago, IL) — October 17, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that would not sign the gaming expansion passed by the Illinois legislature in May. Instead, Quinn offered a proposal that, among other things, would prohibit the installation of slot machines at horse race tracks, a proposition that likely dooms any gaming expansion in Illinois. … Continue reading
Will the Occupy Wall Street Movement and its Chicago Offshoot Bolster Gov. Pat Quinn ComEd “Smart Grid” Veto?
(Chicago, IL) — October 12, 2011. The thinking among Springfield insiders up until a few weeks had been that the legislature was likely to override Governor Pat Quinn’s veto of Commonwealth Edison’s “Smart Grid” bill, a measure that guaranteed the electric giant a rate increase of 6 percentage points over the 30-year Treasury rate to … Continue reading
Quinn, LaHood and Durbin Break Ground on Englewood Rail Crossing Project
(Chicago, IL) – October 10, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush and other officials, broke ground today on the Englewood Flyover, a rail crossing project that will eliminate one of the region’s worst rail bottlenecks. Continue reading
Illinois Public Health Department Gets $24 Million Federal Grant to Fight Chronic Diseases
(Chicago, IL) – September 29, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Illinois a $24 million grant to support public health efforts to reduce chronic diseases, promote healthier lifestyles, reduce health disparities and control health care spending. The Illinois Department of Public Health was one … Continue reading
Quinn Announces $345 Million Plan to Help 15,000 Illinois Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure
(Chicago, IL) – September 15, 2011. Before heading out the door tomorrow to China for an eight-day trade mission, Governor Pat Quinn today announced a $345 million program to help approximately 15,000 Illinois homeowners threatened by foreclosure. “The economic downturn has left too many Illinois families at risk of losing their homes,” Quinn said. “The … Continue reading
Governor Pat Quinn Goes to China
(Chicago, IL) — September 15, 2011. Coming on the heels of an excursion to China by Illinois Treasurer and 2014 GOP governor hopeful Dan Rutherford, Governor Pat Quinn today announced that he too will travel to the People’s Republic of China on a trade mission, starting tomorrow. The Governor will arrive in China on September 17 … Continue reading
Governor Pat Quinn Seeks Out Superman
(Chicago, IL) – September 14, 2011. After thrashing energy giant ComEd on Monday, Governor Pat Quinn yesterday went looking for Superman. Quinn zoomed over to the Chicago production set of the new Superman movie “Man of Steel” to flex some gubernatorial muscle and to highlight the Illinois film industry’s record $161 million in spending in … Continue reading
With Backing from A.G. Lisa Madigan, Gov. Pat Quinn Vetoes ComEd Smart Grid Bill
(Chicago, IL) – September 12, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by Attorney General Lisa Madigan to witness his veto of a bill that would have allowed ComEd to develop an electricity producing “Smart Grid” financed by a guaranteed consumer and business rate hike. “More than 1.5 million people and businesses have had to … Continue reading
Pushing Back on Emanuel, Gov. Pat Quinn Announces Rail Construction Project for Chicago’s South Side
(Chicago, IL) — August 23, 2011. As a part of the growing spat with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel over the fate of a tax revenue-rich casino for Chicago, Governor Pat Quinn today went out of his way to highlight his efforts to create jobs in Chicago by announcing the start of construction for a railroad … Continue reading
David Ormsby, Editor
Gov. Pat Quinn
- Pat Quinn On Gay Marriage: Illinois Governor Endorses Marriage ... The Huffington Post News Editors
- Hon. Pat Quinn, Governor, State of Illinois « City Club Chicago Videos city club chicago
- FREEDOMISMIST: PAT QUINN MAY BE ABLE STAY OUT OF ... Eileen
- Governor Pat Quinn Puts His Foot Down On Gambling Expansion ... Mark
- Teachers picket against pension changes : News : ConnectTriStates ... KHQA Newsdesk
- Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn Endorses Gay Marriage unknown
- Democurmudgeon: Gov. Pat Quinn exposes Scott Walker as a fake ... Democurmudgeon
- Quinn Launches “Save Our State" Website | Chicago Tonight | WTTW Yasmin Rammohan
- McHenry County Blog | Pat Quinn Tells Truth about Pension ... Cal Skinner
- Pat Quinn Criticizes Scott Walker On Jobs The Huffington Post News Editors
IL General Assembly
- Illinois General Assembly Approves Money to Keep Day Care Center Open, Bill ... - WJBD Online May 18, 2012
- State's Minimum Wage Could Become Highest in Country - Patch.com May 18, 2012
- Legislative update: Budget, pension, Medicaid await Illinois General Assembly ... - NIU Today May 15, 2012
- General Assembly puts health exchange bill on back burner - Crain's Chicago Business May 10, 2012
- American Progressive Bag Alliance Urges Illinois General Assembly To Pass ... - MarketWatch (press release) May 1, 2012
- Personal property tax diversion goes nowhere in legislature - The State Journal-Register May 16, 2012
- American Progressive Bag Alliance Urges Illinois General Assembly To Pass ... - PR Newswire (press release) May 1, 2012
- Feds give Illinois more money for insurance exchange as Legislature stalls - Crain's Chicago Business May 17, 2012
- Chicago Cubs, Obama controversy part of final days of legislative session - Examiner.com May 19, 2012
- Our View: Illinois pensions, casinos and Rockford's new bishop in stew - Rockford Register Star May 13, 2012
The Capitol Fax Blog
- Reader comments closed for the weekend May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- Chicago Tribune: Coal plant closures could send electricity costs soaring May 18, 2012 Advertising Department
- Protected: *** UPDATED x5 *** SUBSCRIBERS ONLY: This just in… May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- Question of the day May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- OK, so where’s your plan? May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- Caption contest! May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- Topinka: Cigarette tax hike a “common sense solution” May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- Slots at tracks a possibility? Maybe May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- AFSCME loses appeal over canceled raises May 18, 2012 Rich Miller
- *** UPDATED x2 - Ricketts gave preliminary approval, lauded TV ad *** Cubs owners try damage control May 18, 2012 Rich Miller