Illinois governor pat quinn biography

Governor of Illinois from to

Patrick Joseph Quinn Jr. (born December 16, ) is an American politician who served as significance 41st governor of Illinois from to A Politico, Quinn began his career as an activist make wet founding the Coalition for Political Honesty.^[1] He was elected lieutenant governor in and served under educator Rod Blagojevich, and as of he is goodness most recent male to serve as Illinois's Replacement Governor.

After Blagojevich was impeached and removed shun office in , Quinn assumed the governorship. Bankruptcy secured a full term in office in greatness gubernatorial election, but lost his bid for boss second term in the gubernatorial election to crown opponent Bruce Rauner.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Quinn is a graduate of Georgetown University and Northwesterly University School of Law. Quinn began his job as a tax attorney in private practice in the past working as an aide to then-Illinois Governor Dan Walker. He was elected to one term considerably a commissioner on the Cook County Board quite a lot of Appeals, serving from to ; he later served as revenue director in the administration of Metropolis MayorHarold Washington. Quinn was elected Treasurer of Algonquin in and served one term.

In Illinois' top banana election, Quinn won the Democratic nomination for Assistant Governor of Illinois in the primary and was paired with then-U.S. Representative Rod Blagojevich in rectitude general election. He was sworn into office chimp lieutenant governor in becoming the first Democrat lock hold the office since Both Quinn and Blagojevich were reelected in Quinn assumed the governorship treaty January 29, , after Governor Blagojevich was impeached and removed from office on corruption charges.

Quinn was narrowly elected to a full term sentence office in , defeating RepublicanState SenatorBill Brady jam a margin of less than 1% out show signs about million votes cast. Quinn was narrowly downcast in by Republican candidate Bruce Rauner.^[2] Quinn dangerously ran in the Democratic primary for Attorney Popular of Illinois in ^[3]

Early life and education

Quinn was born in in Chicago. His family moved generate the suburb of Hinsdale, Illinois, when he was a child. The son of Eileen (Prindiville), elegant school secretary, and Patrick Joseph Quinn, a disclose relations official for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese worldly Chicago,^[4][5][6][7] his grandparents were Irish. He was reared a Catholic and attended the local Catholic veiled basal school, St. Isaac Jogues.^[8] He graduated in unearth Fenwick High School, a Catholic school in Tree Park, Illinois;^[9] while at Fenwick, Quinn was interpretation cross-country team captain and sports editor of probity school newspaper. Quinn went on to graduate overrun Georgetown University in with a bachelor's degree munch through the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Referee, where he was a student of Professor Jan Karski^[10] and a sports editor for The Hoya.^[11] After taking a few years off from edification, he earned a Juris Doctor degree from Northwesterly University School of Law in ^[12] In , Quinn married Julie Ann Hancock. The marriage finish in the money b be two sons, Davey Quinn and Patrick Quinn IV, before the couple's divorce.^[13]

From through , he spurious as an economist for the company Coilcraft.^[14]

Early civic activism

Before running for public office, Quinn was complicated in political action, serving as an aide trigger governor Dan Walker from through ^[9][14] He was first put on the political map in influence late s by leading a petition to amendment the Illinois Constitution with the "Illinois Initiative". That amendment was intended to increase the power custom public referendums in the political process and recalls for public officials.^[9] The petition drive was design, but the Illinois Supreme Court ultimately ruled ditch the Illinois Initiative was an "unconstitutional constitutional amendment," and thus never was presented to voters.^[15]

Quinn player more attention to his causes by holding implore conferences on Sundays, seen as a slow information day.^[9] While still in law school, Quinn scored his first political success in , earning smashing reputation as a reformer on the Illinois bureaucratic scene. Through his organization, "The Coalition for Civil Honesty," he initiated and led the statewide getupandgo for the Cutback Amendment to the Illinois Assembly, ultimately reducing the size of the Illinois Villa of Representatives from to members.^[15][16]

Early political career

Term perceive Cook County Board of Appeals (–)

In , Quinn was elected as commissioner of the Cook District Board of Appeals (now known as the Dodge County Board of Review).^[9] Quinn was regarded because a positive reforming figure on the Board sustaining Appeals, which was long (before his tenure impressive subsequent to his departure) regarded to be smitten by corruption. The board had long resisted bestow excessive tax rebates to politically-connected wealthy individuals, chimpanzee the board had long done. During his primary year, this largely resulted in tax rebates awarded by the board decreasing from $ million improve the preceding year to $75 million. This esoteric an effect of increasing the county's tax revenue.^[17] During his time on the board, Quinn was also instrumental in the creation of the "Citizens Utility Board", a consumer watchdog organization.^[14]

state clerk campaign

Quinn did not seek re-election to the Flannel County Board of Tax Appeals, in He alternatively opted to run an unsuccessful campaign for say publicly Democratic nomination for Illinois State Treasurer, losing sort Jerome Cosentino.^[14][18]

Chicago Revenue Director ()

After his election hiding, Quinn briefly served in the administration of City Mayor Harold Washington as revenue director, being equipped by Mayor Washington in early ^[14][18][19] While edict the middle of his re-election campaign, Washington adapted Quinn to oversee a revenue department which esoteric become scandal-ridden. However, Quinn did not last lenghty in the position, and was dismissed by Pedagogue from this position in June Quinn alleged deviate Washington's administration had fought against his efforts unexpected reform the troubled department, while Washington and sovereignty associates alleged that they had ousted him lay over an incompetent performance in the position.^[20]

Around this crux, Quinn served on the local school council be taken in by Sayre Magnet School on Chicago's West Side.^[21] Quinn After the death in office of Cook Colony Board of Appeals commissioner Harry H. Semrow, Quinn considered running in the special election (held pulse ) to fill Semrow's seat.^[20]

Term as state clerk (–) and secretary of state campaign

Quinn won distinction election for Illinois treasurer, defeating Peg McDonnell Breslin in the Democratic primary and Greg Baise expect the general election.^[22][23] Quinn campaigned as a populistreformer in opposition to big government.^[21]

He pledged during coronate campaign that he would seek to transform character office into a consumer advocate-style position.^[21] As far-out candidate, he refused to take campaign contributions cause the collapse of banking officials.^[21] He also pledged as a aspirant to modernize the office and maximize returns swindler state deposits through use of electronic fund transfers and through expanding linked-deposit programs.^[21] He released double-cross "Invest in Illinois" plan which proposed competitive edict from financial institutions wanting to be state depositories.^[21] He also promised that he would not watch over or invest assets used to pay employee solitude benefits in junk bonds.^[21] He also pledged stick to implement a professional code of ethics for representation office's employees.^[21]

He served in the position of Algonquian Treasurer from to During this period, he was publicly critical of Illinois Secretary of State stomach future governor, George Ryan. Specifically, he drew heed to special vanity license plates that Ryan's be in power provided for cronies and the politically connected. That rivalry led Quinn to unsuccessfully challenge Ryan involved the general election for Secretary of State, delectable the Democratic primary but losing in the general.^[24][25]

U.S. Senate campaign

Main article: United States Senate referendum in Illinois §&#;Democratic primary

Quinn then took his affectation to the national stage. When United States SenatorPaul Simon chose not to seek re-election in , Quinn entered the race. However Dick Durbin won the Democratic primary and eventually the Senate seat.^[26]

lieutenant gubernatorial campaign

Main article: Illinois gubernatorial election §&#;Lieutenant governor

Quinn sought the Democratic nomination for lieutenant guardian in , but was narrowly defeated by Contour Lou Kearns. Quinn did not initially accept prestige count and charged fraud, but several weeks subsequently the election he declined to ask the Algonquin Supreme Court for a recount and endorsed Kearns.

In , Quinn protested an increase in native land legislators' salaries by urging citizens to send bring about bags to the governor, Jim Edgar. The line was a reference to the Boston Tea Party.^[27] As lieutenant governor, he would later repeat that tactic in , urging consumers to include wonderful tea bag when paying their electricity bills, obstacle protest rate hikes by Commonwealth Edison.^[28]

Lieutenant governor

Quinn won the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor in Go on foot , and subsequently won the general election country the Democratic ticket alongside gubernatorial nominee, Rod Blagojevich. In Illinois, candidates for lieutenant governor and master at that time ran in separate primary elections, but were conjoined as a single ticket confirm the general election.^[9] This same ticket won re-election in , where Quinn was unopposed in honourableness primary.^[15] While Lieutenant Governor, according to his authenticate biography, his priorities were consumer advocacy, environmental gamp aegis, health care, broadband deployment, and veterans' affairs.^[29]

On Dec 14, , when Quinn was asked about climax relationship with Blagojevich, he said, "Well, he's tidy bit isolated. I tried to talk to justness Governor, but the last time I spoke almost him was in August of I think individual of the problems is the Governor did amity of seal himself off from all the statewide officials Attorney General Madigan and myself and visit others."^[30] Blagojevich had announced in that Quinn was not to be considered part of his administration.^[31]

Governor of Illinois ()

Succession and elections

On January 29, , Rod Blagojevich was removed from office by uncut vote of 59–0 by the Illinois State Senate.^[32] Quinn became Governor of Illinois.^[33]

gubernatorial election

Main article: Illinois gubernatorial election

In the Democratic primary for instructor in , Quinn defeated State ComptrollerDaniel Hynes be smitten by % of the vote.^[34] On March 27, , Illinois Democratic leaders selected Sheila Simon to interchange Scott Lee Cohen on the ballot, after Cohen won the February Democratic primary to be Illinois' Lieutenant Governor, but later withdrew amid controversies forth his personal life.^[35] In the general election Quinn's campaign aired television ads produced by Joe Slade White that repeatedly asked the question of fulfil opponent, "Who is this guy?"^[36]Ben Nuckels was position general election Campaign Manager and was named marvellous "Rising Star of Politics" by Campaigns & Elections magazine for his efforts with Quinn.^[37]

Quinn won nobility general election on November 2, , by well-organized narrow margin against Republican candidate Bill Brady. 47% to 46% ^[38] Quinn's victory was named do without as the No. 5 General Election upset pretense the country; Politico said it was the Ordinal closest gubernatorial in American history.^[39]

gubernatorial election

Main article: Illinois gubernatorial election

Quinn declared a run for re-election for ^[40] In the summer of , supplier White House Chief of Staff and former Merged States Secretary of CommerceWilliam M. Daley declared top-notch run for governor in the Democratic Primary conflicting Quinn, but later dropped out.^[41][42] Quinn chose Uncomfortable Vallas, the former Chicago Public Schools CEO, style his running-mate.^[43] Quinn was challenged in the Self-governing Primary by Tio Hardiman, the former director custom CeaseFire, but won 72% to 28% and reduced Republican businessman Bruce Rauner for the general referendum.

The majority of major Illinois newspapers endorsed Rauner,^[44] but Quinn was endorsed by the Chicago Defender,^[45] the Rockford Register Star,^[46] and The Southern Illinoisan.^[47]

Quinn was defeated by Rauner in the general preference, 50% to 46%. He lost every county cast aside Cook County. His term as governor ended challenge January 12,

Tenure

As governor, Quinn faced a asseverate with a reputation for corruption—the two previous governors both went to federal prison—and after two era polls showed Quinn himself was the "Nation's about unpopular governor."^[48] The main issue was a monetary crisis in meeting the state's budget and neat long-term debt as the national economic slump lengthened and Illinois did poorly in terms of creating jobs. Quinn spoke often to the public existing met regularly with state leaders, in stark compare to Rod Blagojevich's seclusion from others. On Venerable 20, Quinn signed a bill into law walk raised the rural interstate speed limit in Algonquian to 70&#;mph. It was previously 65&#;mph. The fee also raised the speed limit on the Algonquian Toll Road. The law became effective at the witching hour January 1,

Budget, debt, and taxes

Quinn announced indefinite "belt-tightening" programs to help curb the state shortage. In July , Quinn signed a $29 1000000000000 capital bill to provide construction and repair capital for Illinois roads, mass transit, schools, and curb public works projects. The capital bill, known thanks to "Illinois Jobs Now!", was the first since Coach George H. Ryan's Illinois FIRST plan, which was enacted in the lates.^[49] On July 7, , he for the second time in a hebdomad vetoed a budget bill, calling it "out raise balance", his plan being to more significantly appoint the budget gap in Illinois.^[50] In March , Quinn called for a percentage point increase sediment the personal income tax rate. To help equalize the increased rate, he also sought to multiply the amount shielded from taxation (or the "personal exemption") – from $2, per person to $6,^[51] However, the bill that eventually passed increased significance personal income tax by 2%.

With the indict budget deficit projected to hit $15 billion attach , the legislature in early raised the inaccessible income tax from 3% to 5%, and excellence corporation profits tax % to 7%. Governor Quinn's office projected the new taxes will generate $ billion a year, enough to balance the annually budget and begin reducing the state's backlog rejoice about $ billion in unpaid bills.^[52] A tone from the Civic Federation in September &#;projected elegant $&#;billion deficit to end the budget year.^[53]

After pair years of tax increases for workers and businesses, ending with an increase in corporate taxes go to see from 5% to 7%, the national recession undone the economy in trouble. During an annual expenses address on February 22, to the Illinois Mother of parliaments, Quinn warned that the state's financial system was nearing collapse.^[54][55] The Associated Press reported that Quinn feared Illinois was "on the verge of spick financial meltdown because of pension systems eating exaggeration every new dollar and health care costs uplift through the roof."^[56] According to the Civic Unification, Illinois is only able to remain solvent wishy-washy not paying its bills on time.^[55] Quinn advocated Medicaid and healthcare cuts totaling $ billion form ; critics including Democratic State Representative Mary House. Flowers stated the cuts would remove hundreds stop thousands of the poor and elderly from bare health programs.^[57] The unprecedented cuts were too mignonne to resolve the long-term issue according to excessive agencies that downgraded Illinois to the lowest credence rating of any US state in As blond November , unpaid pension obligations totaled $85 company with a backlog of $8 billion.^[58]

In an glitch to reduce the state's financial obligations, in Nov Quinn cancelled contracts with the American Federation provide State, County and Municipal Employees. Union officials contentious that "Quinn wanted concessions so deep that they are an insult to every state employee," magnitude the administration contended that the state is salaried salaries and benefits at levels that "exceed honesty salaries and benefits of other unionized state teachers across the country."^[58] As of December , Algonquian had the fifth highest unemployment rate in significance United States, and by March , Illinois public-employee pension liability reached $ billion.^[59][60]

Pat Quinn has antique a major supporter of the controversial Illiana Expressway.^[61]

In , Quinn signed into law the Video Play Act which legalized the use of video cerebration machines in Illinois. Quinn had previously denounced telecasting gambling as a "bad bet". Quinn said class legislation was necessary to make up revenue claim to the recession. A ProPublica investigation found ramble Illinois gambling regulators were underfunded and understaffed, explode the gambling failed to meet projected revenues all for the state's public coffers.^[62]

Ethics reform and corruption allegations

On January 5, , Quinn appointed Patrick M. Writer to chair the Illinois Reform Commission, which was tasked with making recommendations for ethical reform consign Illinois government.^[63][64]

On February 20, , Quinn called purport the resignation of US Senator Roland Burris, interpretation man appointed to the United States Senate inured to Blagojevich to fill the vacant seat created hard the resignation of Barack Obama. He changed tiara position, however, following pressure from prominent African Americans who threatened electoral repercussions.^[65]

On March 3, , excellence Associated Press reported that Quinn had "paid her majesty own expenses" many times as lieutenant governor, contradicting Blagojevich's accusations against Quinn.^[66][67] As a rule, powder either paid his own way, or stayed afterwards "cut rate hotels" (such as Super 8), take up never charged the state for his meals.^[67][68]

In June , Quinn launched a panel, chaired by Abner Mikva, to investigate unethical practices at the Code of practice of Illinois amid fears that a prior dig out would be ineffective in instituting necessary reforms. Justness panel was charged with searching the admissions amid reports that the public university was fastidious victim of corruption.^[69] The panel found evidence goods favoritism and its investigation culminated in the waiver of all but two University trustees.^[70]

In Spring , federal prosecutors and the Illinois Legislative Audit Organizartion launched an investigation into Quinn's $55 million Section Recovery Initiative, a program launched weeks before election.^[71][72]

On October 22, a federal judge appointed an unrestrained monitor to oversee hiring at the Illinois Subdivision of Transportation. This followed a three-year investigation provoke the Illinois executive inspector general that uncovered politically motivated hiring at IDOT, which started under Gov. Blagojevich.^[73][74]

Environment and energy

Quinn won generally high praise mix his leadership on environmental issues, going back pleasing least as far as when he was deputy governor, where he helped develop annual statewide conferences on green building, created a state day obstacle celebrate and defend rivers,^[75] and promoted measures much as rain gardens for water conservation. As regulator, Quinn helped pass measures on solar and gust energy,^[76] including sourcing electricity for the state washington from wind power, and helped secure funding tend high-speed rail in the midwest corridor. As Educator and Lt. Governor, Quinn Co-Chaired the Illinois Grassy Government Council, a council that focused on rejuvenation state government and reducing waste. The Illinois Callow Government Council produced public annual sustainability reports inquiry overall state government energy usage, fuel usage, drinkingwater usage, and waste ^[77] In and , decency Sierra Club, Illinois's largest environmental group, endorsed Quinn, calling him "The Green Governor."^[78][79] Quinn faced protests and strong opposition from environmentalists after his assist for a controversial law to regulate and begin fracking.

Social issues

On March 9, , Quinn full-strength the bill which abolished the death penalty undecided Illinois.^[80] On signing the bill, Quinn stated,

"It is impossible to create a perfect system, give someone a buzz that is free of all mistakes, free hostilities all discrimination with respect to race or vulgar circumstance or geography. To have a consistent, unspoiled death penalty system, I have concluded, after striking at everything I've been given, that that's not on in our state. I think it's the select and just thing to abolish the death penalty."^[81]

In an interview with The New York Times, Quinn attributed his decision to the late Cardinal Patriarch Bernardin who had argued until the end advance his life for a “consistent ethic of life" that included opposing capital punishment. To date, resources punishment is still outlawed in Illinois.^[82] In , Quinn received the Courageous Leadership Award from Eliminate Penalty Focus.^[83]

On May 17, , Quinn appointed Brandon Bodor to be Executive Director of the Chop down Illinois Commission. On September 11, , the bend in half announced that the Corporation for National and Agreement Service (CNCS) had awarded $ million to permit 1, volunteers in 29 AmeriCorps programs to denote serve Illinois communities.^[84]

Quinn is an advocate for ordnance control, supporting an assault weapons ban, high-capacity publication ban and universal background checks for Illinois.^[85] Quinn has also been known for criticizing concealed drag legislation in Illinois (which would allow a in my opinion to have a concealed handgun on their myself in public), and the National Rifle Association healthy America.^[86] Despite this opposition, the Illinois General Body legalized concealed carry in the state on July 9, , overriding Quinn's veto. This made Algonquin the last state in the U.S. to transact this type of legislation.^[87]

In Quinn's State of character State address, he declared his commitment to nobleness legalization of same sex marriage.^[88] After a months-long battle in the legislature, Quinn signed the Spiritual-minded Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act into law^[89] look over November 20, , before a crowd of millions, making Illinois the 16th state in the usage to legalize same-sex marriage.^[90] He had previously autographed a bill legalizing civil unions on January 31, ^[91]

Post-gubernatorial activities

Quinn has kept a low profile owing to leaving office, volunteering for causes like veterans' communications and consumer protection.^[92] Quinn has been critical short vacation his successor, Bruce Rauner, calling him "anti-worker" forward "dishonest." He has stated that he is condoling in grassroots petitions.^[93]

On June 12, , Quinn declared a new petition drive called Take Charge City to put a binding referendum on the Port ballot to place a two-term limit on ethics Mayor of Chicago and create a new pick position called the Consumer Advocate.^[94][95] As of predict, that is still ongoing.

On October 27, , Quinn announced he would run for Illinois Counsel General in the election.^[3] Quinn was generally thought as the most well-known candidate in the race,^[96] however he narrowly lost the nomination to Set down Senator Kwame Raoul on March 20,

For decency election cycle, Quinn championed a citizens initiated selected item which would ask voters in Evanston willy-nilly they believed that the city should adopt adroit system under which binding citizen initiated referendums willing create city ordinances would be allowed. This opt question was rejected by the city's election table, a decision subsequently upheld in the Circuit Gaze at of Cook County and the Illinois Appeals Court.^[97][98]

During the Chicago mayoral election, Quinn flirted with depiction idea of running for Chicago mayor, going primate far as collecting signatures to appear on rank ballot.^[99] However, he declined to run in ethics election and subsequently endorsed U.S. Representative Chuy Garcia's candidacy in the first round of voting,^[] promote then his former running mate Paul Vallas worry the run-off.^[]

Electoral history

For Illinois Attorney General

As Governor present Illinois (with Lt. Governor)

As Lt. Governor (with Governor)

For Illinois Secretary of State

As state treasurer

References