* Kerry Lester…
“We definitely didn’t steal anything,” Billy Morgan, a spokesman for former Gov. Pat Quinn says, referring to downstate artist Cameron Schilling’s sketches of fallen soldiers from the suburbs and throughout Illinois.
But Gov. Bruce Rauner’s staff members weren’t buying that when they filed a previously unpublished police report in March questioning where the art had gone after Quinn left office. […]
Quinn made veterans issues a hallmark of his tenure, and there was a question whether the exhibit — valued at $5,000 — was state property or his.
Rauner’s staff certainly thought the portraits were Illinois property and filed the police report after former Quinn chief of staff Ryan Croke, a Wheeling native, told Rauner chief Mike Zolnierowicz, who grew up in Downers Grove, that he thought the sketches could be found on the 16th floor of the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago.
But they weren’t.
Two months ago, the artwork quietly turned up again, and police reviewed surveillance video to verify how it got back into the building, noticing it was returned by former Quinn staffers.
Quinn, in the police report, told police the drawings were inadvertently moved by staff to his campaign headquarters. No charges were filed, and the portraits are now on traveling display — this week, they’re at the Du Quoin State Fair.
Sheesh.
*** UPDATE *** From an e-mail…
Hello Rich,
FYI, as you will see via attached, this police report was conveniently requested AFTER the display was promptly returned upon learning of this inadvertent mistake by CMS movers.
Let’s call this what it is: an attempt by the current administration to distract from their failure to govern responsibly. Instead of making up phony controversies, they should focus on the budget.
Best,
William Morgan
Click here for the attachment.
…Adding… If you read the police report, the art was returned shortly after the cops were first contacted. This appears to have been an ongoing thing dating from at least December.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:03 am:
Only Pat Quinn and the Quinnsters he controls can make Rauner look reasonable, lol
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:09 am:
So who got Squeezy?
I don’t get the bit about “police reviewed surveillance video” to verify Quinn staffers returned the art.
Huh? Did they break in after hours to do so? Cloak and dagger, black box job?
Or did they return it to the governor’s office during normal business hours, and someone within the office accepted delivery?
- phocion - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:11 am:
Was the artwork returned after the police report was filed? If so, bad on the Quinnsters. If it was secretly/quietly returned prior to the police report filing, bad on Team Rauner. All in all, bad form on Quinn’s part, though.
- phocion - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:12 am:
Ooops. Should have read the headline. Yeah, Quinn people, you screwed up. Bad. Governors are caretakers. That’s it.
- Take that - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:12 am:
More pettiness. Rauner’s people filed a police report. Come on! This is why we are in such a mess.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:14 am:
You would have thought that Governor Rauner could have picked up the phone and called Governor Quinn to ask about it. Instead we get staff calls and police reports.
And what the heck was the deal with the Quinn staffers returning it. They couldn’t call and say, hey we’ve got the stuff and we are returning it? Sheesh.
- Dan S - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:16 am:
Entire situation completely uncalled for.
- Daniel Plainview - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:16 am:
- They couldn’t call and say, hey we’ve got the stuff and we are returning it? -
They did as soon as they were found. This is a complete joke of a story.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:21 am:
Willy, sounds like an hilarious subplot on your HBO series.
- Jocko - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:26 am:
That reminds me, I should make out a police report to get my extension ladder back from my neighbor. /s
- Anon - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:26 am:
I think it’s kind of fun that there are people in this blog who are so inclined to defend Quinn or so distasteful of Rauner that they expect the guy who was protecting state property from theft by state employees to have behaved differently.
Executive staff contacted the former executive staff to find out where items of value were, and when they weren’t located where they were told, they filed a police report regarding stolen property. That’s a perfectly normal and common sense thing to do, and it’s the first step to filing an insurance claim.
And even if it is politicking, it’s what a normal and reasonable person would do at that point.
Some of y’all are just hacks.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:28 am:
The Quinn folks knew nothing about the vanishing, then Quinn former staffers were on surveillance tape returning what they knew nothing about? And according to some commentators around here, that was all Rauner’s fault!
Sheesh, indeed!
- Norseman - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:32 am:
To Anon 11:26:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6cxNR9ML8k
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:33 am:
- Norseman -, I think you’re right…
And I have your “6″, snd glad you see it that way.
HBO - “Dad’s Home State” - Season 1, Episode 42
Bruce calls police on Pat Quinn. Pat Quinn gets chased into old amusement park wearing costume. Pumpkin and Bruce complete “Scooby-Doo” ending. Goldberg finishes police report narrative, Lance tweets, blames Rep. Lang. Special Guest Star - Pat Quinn as himself. Comedy, 75 minutes
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:33 am:
From Monique Davis to the Governor’s office,
if they treat the state’s art as their personal property, it is depressing to think of the ways they must treat the state’s money.
- thunderspirit - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:36 am:
Facepalm.
- Commonsense in Illinois - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:36 am:
So, when will the Special Prosecutor be appointed? Really? This is really much ado about nothing.
- Marty Funkhouser - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:36 am:
Also worth noting that Schilling is a former Quinn legislative liaison.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:37 am:
Speaking as a hack, I recall when Quinn was Lt. Governor and attended funerals of Illinois military personnel killed in combat. While Pat Quinn has been criticized for many things, I have never heard of him being accused of politicking while doing that; in fact, I believe families appreciated the respect he paid to them and their fallen loved one.
In consideration of that, I think this artwork incident should have been handled more gentlemanly.
- Commonsense in Illinois - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:38 am:
Sorry to add…
This reminds me of when the Clintonites left the White House and removed the “B” keys on a number of computer keyboards as a welcome to the Bush Administration.
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:39 am:
At this rate, Quinn’s gonna lose and Rauner will be governor in 2015.
– MrJM
- doofusguy - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:43 am:
to common - thought it was the ‘w’ keys
- Soccermom - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:47 am:
doofusguy — you beat me to it. It was indeed the Ws, and apparently the Bush folks got very exercised about it.
- Jack Stephens - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:51 am:
@ow:
Keep it up. That was hysterical!
- N'ville - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:53 am:
From the same guy that didn’t show up at the inauguration. Who’s surprised?
- Just Me - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:59 am:
Reminds me of when President Clinton took some White House furniture that he thought were given to him personally, but actually donated to the White House foundation.
- WhoKnew - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:00 pm:
OW - What about that little plot twist of the missing “Q”s from the keyboards, right before the 2nd commercial break?
Think will see anything else about it in continuing episode?
Inquiring minds want to know!
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:02 pm:
Recovered artwork: $5,000
Dropping the ball on the MPEA bond payment: Priceless.
Heck of a job Raunie.
- Anon. - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:21 pm:
Commonsense beat me to it, except I was going to ask of the “G” keys were missing.
- nixit71 - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:28 pm:
Everybody in, no sketches left out.
- nixit71 - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:30 pm:
OW…The last resident in Illinois who can still afford HBO.
- Commonsense in Illinois - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:31 pm:
To all…thanks for fact checking me…it was indeed the “W” key.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:35 pm:
I will say this;
The show should have been on summer hiatus, but with no budget, HBO keeps demanding episodes.
I was thinking the letter “O” would be missing for “owns”…
Although Illinois can’t afford HBO, it’s really for the neighbors, like “Missouri” or “Kentucky”.
I’d like to get to a “Season Finale”…
- walker - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:35 pm:
Some staff improperly packed them up and moved them to Quinn’s campaign office, along with a bunch of personal items. Others didn’t know that. The new staff reported them missing. I wouldn’t automatically assume dishonesty or politicization on either side.
Note, this was settled a while ago, with no noise to the press from either side. Just recently popped up.
- illinoised - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:43 pm:
Yawn.
- Boone's is Back - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:43 pm:
===So who got Squeezy?===
Haha
- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:51 pm:
Squeezy was sadly not claimed by either Team and lives at Surplus Property, a shadow of his former self
- Last Bull Moose - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:52 pm:
I agree with those who think this was a minor mistake.
Governor’s office should have digital copies of the drawings. I assume that exists because the sketches were printed on other surfaces.
It is a moving exhibit. Glad it still is traveling the State.
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:57 pm:
The only way to solve this is with a “whip, nae nae” dance off.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:12 pm:
To the response from Quinn’s Office;
They would’ve gotten away with it too… if it wasn’t for those meddling Frat Boys…
- Tournaround Agenda - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:13 pm:
Why does Quinn still have a press office? He’s not doing much these days, is he?
- BW - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:16 pm:
Am I missing something with Morgan’s response? The police report is dated March and the article states the pictures were returned a couple of months ago. Rosy scenario we call that May, which is still over a month after the police report was filed.
- Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:17 pm:
So it’s now ok for CMS to move stuff to a political office?
- Responsa - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:19 pm:
In baseball parlance this was a “tooblan” by someone on Quinn’s team. (Thrown out on the basepath like a nincompoop.) Tootblans always look unprofessional and are roundly and justifiably mocked by onlookers.
- Last comment from me - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:19 pm:
Can’t wait to see this exhibit at the ISM! … oh
- burbanite - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:22 pm:
The police report seems to be prepared on 3/25, noting that the art was returned on 3/24.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:23 pm:
===The police report is dated March and the article states the pictures were returned a couple of months ago===
Dude, read the police report.
- Austin Blvd - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:25 pm:
Details. Details. Thanks for that important clarification, William.
All you rush to judgement people need to chill out.
What reason on earth would Quinn want those prints
?
- Huh? - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:30 pm:
Much ado about nothing, brought out as a distraction by an administration that is floundering about.
- Anon - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:33 pm:
I retract my 11:26 AM comment. Rauner’s folks were being ridiculous.
- cover - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:37 pm:
Rich, based on the update, should you change the headline to “Art returned BEFORE police report filed”?
- Juice - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:39 pm:
The best line, “Upon his return from lunch, he was informed despite the art exhibit being located Pennix and Walters requested a report.” Someone get her a hot dog with ketchup on it! Stat!
- Lou Holtz - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:41 pm:
Another day another lie.
That’s Bruce Rauner and his nasty band of blowhards for you.
It’s interesting that one of the two people filing the police report was Lindsay Walters from Rauner’s press office. If they had a legitimate concern that something improper occurred why send a junior press person to handle the situation?
Rauner’s staff were trying to create a spectacle for press purposes.
Maybe someone should FOIA Lindsay’s emails to determine why she was assigned this role and who instructed her to manipulate the situation for a political hit and a media spectacle.
Did someone on Rauner’s staff direct the State Police to formalize a report over their objections?
Usually the State Police don’t like to be an instrument of political games from the Governor’s office. I wonder if any State Police officers objected to doing this and were overruled by Rauner’s staff?
- Fr. Murphy - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:55 pm:
Reminds me of the time someone gave a co-worker a plant. She just let it sit there, never watered the poor thing, etc.
Finally, I couldn’t stand it and began taking care of it bought a little can, began watering, tidying it up and the like - for years. Then when she retired she took it home. Your welcome!
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:55 pm:
“Hi Rich-
It was Lyndsey Walters turn to file something or another.
After writing email after email telling of Madeupvilles passing the Rauner Resolutions, I just needed a break.
Thanks!
ck”
- Juice - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:04 pm:
I think if it weren’t for this involving the Governor’s office, this would have been the conversation. “Hi, officer. My name is Lindsay Walters. I’d like to report a robbery.”
“What is the property that has been robbed?”
“Portraits. Valued at over $5,000.”
“Where were these portraits last seen?”
“I happen to be looking at them right now.”
Officer hangs up phone.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:04 pm:
Has Quinn finished the end-of-term report he is required to submit yet?
- Johnny Q. Suburban - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:07 pm:
Call me crazy, but I think Pat Quinn still may be able to pull this thing out.
- Anon III - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:07 pm:
Maybe a couple of hundred school districts should file police reports about missing computers.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:08 pm:
The police were contacted before the art was returned. Shortly after the police were contacted, the art was conveniently returned. The only thing from “Madeupville” is the excuse blaming the movers.
That ranks with “The check is in the mail”.
- Commonsense in Illinois - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:11 pm:
May be much ado about nothing, but it has kept us all busy, for a couple of hours anyway…
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:14 pm:
” - Anonymous - “,
So….
What, the former Hawaii’ governor was too busy to file a police report and someone from the Press Shop decides to “call it in”?
Sounds a lot like “short straw, you call” ginning up… I don’t even know.
“Madeupville” is a “bit” back to the Rauner Resolutions. I know “ck” appreciates you don’t know or remember her… work product there.
- Juice - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:21 pm:
Anonymous, you’re missing not the point where the Rauner administration insisted on a report being filed a day after the portraits were returned. Or that the administration insisted PQ be question about it a week after it was returned. Rationale actors would say that once it’s returned, the matter is over. Actors who insist on making politically contrived stories insist that a sworn police officer continue to spend time on this so they can then push the story out months later.
- BW - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:44 pm:
My bad. Did not catch the detail in the report after reading the news story linked.
- Jake From Elwood - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:31 pm:
Political shenanigans, no matter how you draw it. [insert obligatory rimshot]
- Soccermom - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:42 pm:
The real news here is that they were able to find them at 676 in only two days. Morgan must have been using scent hounds….
- OneMan - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 4:02 pm:
Yeah we get it, you don’t like Rauner but as Rich points out (emphasis mine)
So the police were contacted, then the art was returned.
Not before.
- phocion - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 4:15 pm:
Cops were contacted March 20. Artwork was surreptitiously returned by former Quinn staffers March 24. Formal police report filed March 25. No one looks good, but still, mostly bad on the Quinn folks.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 4:48 pm:
“Surreptitiously returned.”
Thirty six vinyl roles, in several boxes, through the lobby, through security, up the elevator to the 16th floor reception area at JRTC, with two receptionists watching, at 12:05 p.m., Tuesday, March 24, all on video.
That’s not what “surreptitiously” means.
- phocion - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 5:17 pm:
==That’s not what “surreptitiously” means.==
Man, I’ve been using that word the wrong way all this time? Yes, WS, it was surreptitious because they didn’t just let the people know who were looking for the art that they were returning it. The people in the lobby, the security guards, the receptionist and the cameras weren’t in on it.
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 5:46 pm:
Phocion, feel free to consult a dictionary.
“Undetected,” imperceptible,” “secret,” “clandestine,” stealthily,” — not really seeing that here in relation to delivering the artwork.
But you have some inside dope on contacts between those returning the artwork and the many people they must have encountered on their way to the governor’s office on the 16th floor?
Tell me, were they “surreptitious” with security at the elevators when they were schlepping all those boxes?
You think security might have asked a couple of questions or took a look-see before they allowed a bunch of boxes to be taken to the governor’s office?
Or did these Quinn double-ought spies manage to pull that off “surreptitiously” around noon on a workday?
- Emanuel Can't - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 5:56 pm:
Hey WS, you obviously are in the know. What exactly did they say to security and the receptionist when they were returning the state owned artwork? Why didn’t they tell the people who were looking for it that they were returning it. Keep defending Quinn’s bungling team.
- Daniel Plainview - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 7:01 pm:
- they didn’t just let the people know who were looking for the art that they were returning it. -
Yes they did. By phone. If the Raunerites won’t admit it they’re a pathetic bunch looking to score a cheap political hit using a tribute to Illinois heroes as a prop.