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* Reporters usually know whom to call to give them the answers they want. I’m not necessarily saying this happened today, but check out the Trib story on Gov. Pat Quinn’s trade mission to China…
Eight of the 30 people going to China with Quinn have given him campaign contributions as individuals or work for a company or group that has done so.
Leading the list is John T. Coli, president of the Teamsters Joint Council 25. The union’s various funds gave more than $400,000 to Quinn since he became governor in January 2009.
Also on the trip will be businessman Theodor Spyropoulos, president of T.G.S. National Wholesalers. Spyropoulos has given Quinn more than $72,000, mostly as he ran for governor. Jeff Cooper, of Edwardsville, the founder of Illinois-based Eudora Global and Radix Global, with operations in China, gave $25,000 to Quinn last year.
Republican Sen. Bill Brady, of Bloomington, who lost the governor’s race last year, said Quinn needs to explain why so many political contributors are going to give Illinoisans a “comfort level” with his choice of travel companions.
There’s always going to be this sort of overlap on anything a governor does. Some of the participants might raise some questions, but overall it seems pretty legit. Here’s the complete list…
Martin Beck, managing director, Shandong Heavy Industry Group and MAT Capital; J.D. Bindenagel, DePaul University; Tim Cantwell, director of MidAmerica St. Louis Airport; Troy Clarke, president of Asia-Pacific Operations for Navistar; John Coli, president of Teamsters Joint Council 25; Jeff Cooper, founder of Eudora; Morton Village President Norm Durflinger; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign interim vice president and chancellor Robert Easter; DePaul University Finance Department chairman Ali Fatemi; Guillermo Garcia, incoming chairman of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Illinois Farm Bureau vice president Richard Guebert Jr.; state Sen. Mattie Hunter; Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce president Larry D. Ivory; NAVTEQ president Lawrence Kaplan; St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern; Funk Linko CEO Vicky Linko; Daniel Lynch, managing director for corporate and government affairs for United Airlines; Bank Financial regional president John Manos; Greg Mefford, chief strategy officer for Radix International; Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey; state Sen. Antonio Munoz; David Ragan, vice president for export trading at ADM; state Sen. Kwame Raoul; America’s Food Technologies president Ellen Jordan Reidy; National Pasteurized Eggs CFO Michael Smith; T.G.S. National Wholesalers president Theodore Spyropoulos; Quarles and Brady partner Sanford Stein; Illinois Science and Technology Coalition president Matthew Summy; Loren Taylor, president of the University of Illinois Alumni Association; Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen and Loewy president Michael Turansick.
* And Republican Sen. Matt Murphy wasn’t so quick to whack the governor in the Sun-Times…
While the group of state officeholders traveling with Quinn is exclusively Democratic, the governor drew praise for his trip from one of his chief GOP critics, state Sen. Matt Murphy (R-Palatine).
“The timing’s not great when you’re talking about laying people off, and the human services issues that have been raised,” Murphy said. “But as the governor, you’re sort of our promoter in chief. You should be out there promoting Illinois, and going to China strikes me as an appropriate thing to do.”
It ain’t easy for a Republican to offer any sort of praise to a Democrat in these hyper-partisan times, so kudos to Murph.
…Adding… Another Murphy quote…
“I don’t have a problem with him doing this. I think it’s appropriate that he is paying for it himself. I think that’s above and beyond the call,” said state Sen. Matt Murphy, R-Palatine. “If you have something to market, if you have something to offer — and in Illinois we do — the governor should be the promoter-in-chief and go around the world where necessary. These are important trips to take. I wish he had better policies to sell.”
* If you listen to the governor’s media availability, you’ll hear reporters asking Quinn over and over again about the $133,000 state cost for the trip…
But these dollars are already budgeted and are mostly passed through from a specific tax source…
That funding, they said, would come from a fund dedicated to promoting and marketing the state that is partially funded by the hotel-motel tax.
You can’t use the hotel-motel tax to keep prisons open.
Not to mention that the state is not paying for anybody’s flight and lodging. And, as I pointed out yesterday, more exports equals more state revenues equals less of a budget problem. I’ll be shocked if the state can’t make up that $133K pretty quickly.
* By the way, here’s what Illinois currently exports to China…
Machinery, $544 million
Waste and Scrap, $440 million
Computer and electronic parts, $364 million
Transportation equipment, $360 million
Agriculture, food and kindred products, $347 million
Those ag products will get a big boost on this trip…
As part of the trip, ADM said Quinn would witness the signing of an agreement for ADM to supply 180,000 metric tons of soybeans to a company for the Chinese market.
“Illinois soy farmers are playing an important role in meeting this demand, and we are proud to be able to join Governor Quinn as he continues to work toward connecting our state’s growers with fast-growing global markets,” ADM spokeswoman Jessie McKinney said in a statement.
And since Navistar and others are also going (and Caterpillar will be participating with its folks who are already there), expect machinery to also get a bump up.
* Meanwhile, Rep. Jack Franks just returned from a trip to Cuba with some other legislators. They all paid their own way as well, and Franks says it’s time that the US embargo ends…
Franks says because of the federal embargo, Illinois companies are not allowed to extend credit to Cuba, and Cuban ships may not dock in the U.S. within six months of offloading in Havana. He would like to see these restrictions lifted.
“I think that we’d be over $1 billion in sales within two years if we were able to change just a few minor things,” he said.
Franks says overall, the embargo on trade to Cuba is a Cold War relic, and its removal is long overdue.
He says food would be a good place to start in lifting the embargo.
Discuss.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 9:43 am
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Nice to see Jack Franks endorsing George Ryan’s ideas. I assume the world will now end?
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 9:55 am
–Eight of the 30 people going to China with Quinn have given him campaign contributions as individuals or work for a company or group that has done so.–
Stop the presses. This is bigger than Watergate, Iran-Contra and Teapot Dome combined. What’s the sinister motivation for these folks to be paying their own way, I wonder? Chuck Goudie needs to get on this.
What a dreary angle.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 9:57 am
Only 2 staff will go on this trip which is a very good sign. One of them works in the DCEO trade office and is responsible for promoting trade to China and speaks Mandarin Chinese. The second staffer will handle all logistics, meetings, etc.
Pretty frugal for this big a group. Very good Pat,
Comment by Cassiopeia Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 9:58 am
I really do fail to understand, other than the size of the markets, why trade and good relations with China is ok while Cuba is off-limits. It really is a ridiculous relic that needs to end. The human rights abuses in China make Cuba look downright progressive.
Comment by Thoughts... Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 10:10 am
Thanks for the reality check, Rich. The real scandal here is that Illinois has done such a crummy job of promoting our goods and services overseas. But that’s a story that requires some understanding of economic development…
Comment by soccermom Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 10:10 am
Interesting that neither of the two directors responsible for overseas trade, DCEO and Agriculture, are going on this trip.
Comment by Oswego Dem Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 10:12 am
–I really do fail to understand, other than the size of the markets, why trade and good relations with China is ok while Cuba is off-limits.–
As long as Florida is a presidential battleground state, the exile community in Miami will wield disproportionate influence on the matter.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 10:21 am
There is a really great play that was just @ the Goodman Theater called “Chinglish”. It is the story about an American who travels to China to try to get a contract for his struggling company back in Ohio. A major piece of the play involves the sometimes tortuous attempts at translating that goes on between english and chinese speakers.
Now, add to that the circuitious, nearly nonsensical, ramblings of our dear governor and the poor unfortunate translators who attempt to explain. How do I get on that list?
Comment by dupage dan Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 10:23 am
As I said yesterday, ask the right questions: which airline? Are they going business class? What are they being charged for airfare? Which hotel are they staying at? How much are they underpaying for the hotels? This is a boondoggle, I suspect, from my past experiences. Who is gifting them: the airline? The hotel? China? Will they report these subsidies on their ethics statements? Does it violate the gift ban act?
Comment by formerpolitico Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 10:28 am
I think former gop presidential candidate tim pawlenty went to 13 or 14 countries during his time as governor and it would probably take you about 30 seconds to get some pretty fiscally irresponsible taxpayer funded trips that members of the congressional delegation have taken so I have no issue with this. As far as donors go, half of bush’s european ambassadors were major donors so this is one of those things that’s a big issue at the state level but a mostly non issue at the federal level and in other states.
Comment by Shore Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 10:34 am
formerpolitico, if the state isn’t paying for the airfare, why are you so concerned if they’re flying business class or getting a hotel discount?
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 10:36 am
Long overdue! This was needed years ago, and should be an bi-annual tradition (at least) for every governor moving forward.
Comment by Left Leaner Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 10:37 am
I know that things can get pretty divisive around here, but can we all agree that Funk Linko is a great name? I think we can.
Comment by The Captain Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 10:47 am
Imagine the looks on the faces of the China delegates when PQ is about half way through his hour monolog. We may never sell another thing to China.
Comment by Soccertease Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 10:50 am
Funk Linko for President!
Comment by phocion Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 10:51 am
I also say kudos to Senator Murphy. It’s nice to see someone using logic to base his remarks on rather than partisan rhetoric. Well done.
Comment by Seriously??? Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 10:51 am
Lift the ban on Cuba, indeed. Cigar lovers of the US, unite!
Comment by GMatts Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 10:57 am
How does one say “Super 8″ in Cantonese?
Comment by Jake From Elwood Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 11:05 am
So the headline is 70% China travelers fail to be PQ contributors.
Capt Fax may we respectfully request you go to the music NOW…perhaps the Doobies classic China Grove!
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 11:10 am
I remember Thompson’s trip to China. There was a Chinese immigrant who worked at IDOT who was fluent in a few dialects of Chinese and acted as the translator. His being in the right place at the right time was very good for his career.
As far as Cuba goes, I expect about 20 McDonald’s and Marriotts to start construction within a month of Castro’s death.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 11:12 am
The ban on spending money in and trading with with Cuba is well past its time. As Americans we can travel to China, Iran, North Korea (I think), etc. but not Cuba — that makes no sense. Furthermore, the best way to encourage democracy in Cuba is to allow more interaction with the people.
Comment by Just Observing Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 11:15 am
On the surface, seems to be a “balanced” story full of “I’m trying to do what’s right,” “I, on the other hand, know what’s right”, and plenty of “Oh, look…a kitty! to incite anger in those who ‘couldn’t possibly know any better’”.
“On the surface”, however, is no longer acceptable as we have plenty of talented resources now in this Country who know how to dig through data and perform analyses to determine what the short and long-term benefits of trips and negotations like this are to our Country. Therefore, IMHO, best to reserve judgment as the players continue to play, do our homework, and then come out “fighting”–or thanking people based on the results.
Good luck, Governor. We’re rootin’ for you to do what’s best for our State and our Country.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 11:15 am
Why is a teamster union official going with. I actually think the idea of the trip is good. I hope their. Are many success involved. I do believe alot of these trips and fact finding tours are nothing more than vacations paid for by others. Hopefully Illinois business is able to get some deals done.
Comment by Fed up Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 11:29 am
Yes, ever since the magical beam-me-up transporter was invented (powered by the flex capacitor) to transport goods to port the need for trucks and truck drivers has been completely eliminated from the export process so I too ask why a teamster union official is burdening Illinois taxpayers by paying his own way to China!
Comment by The Captain Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 11:38 am
Because if a state official is accepting gifts from an airline or a hotel chain or from China, we are entitled to know that, as well as the amount of the gift. I’ve gone on these trips, and they usually charge coach fares for business class travel. That is a gift of thousands of dollars. And the five-star hotels are usually billed at ridiculously low rates - another gift. I will be looking to see that they report these gifts from businesses that do business in Illinois.
Comment by formerpolitico Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 12:11 pm
Cuban “refugees” in Miami need to start living in the here and now. After 50 years its time to move on or relocate. The US continues this ridiculous embargo to the detriment of trade, tourism, and international good will. Get real Miami!!
Comment by Former State Employee Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 12:58 pm
No problem with this as you spend moeny to make money. People paid their own way. China uses modern day slaves, but everythign else is okay with how this trip was done.
Comment by Wumpus Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 1:16 pm
The county paid for the represenatives from my area so I would think some of the questions are valid; just not valid in a state forum perhaps. However saying they paid out of their own pockets is in error too…the taxpayers still footed the bill one way or another
Comment by taxed2death Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 3:32 pm
formerpolitico:
Under your logic the state “rate” for hotels in the State of Illinois, which are most of the time under the market rate, should be considered as a “gift” to any state employee and should be reported. I still fail to see what you find so objectionable and underhanded here. If this were a regular occurrence then I might tend to agree with you, but that fact that trips like these are few and far between makes the questions you ask - at least in my opinion - a bit ridiculous. Besides, with a few exceptions, most of these people are private citizens and you don’t have a right to see what kind of deals they are getting. Sheesh. Take a pill.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 4:35 pm
taxed2death - So you’re saying what public employees do with their salaries should be under scrutiny as well? Also, I wouldn’t be terribly worried that a man who’s carried the same briefcase for 30 years is suddenly going to be in an airline’s pocket for a bump from coach to business class.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 4:37 pm
China has been crucial for the secondary copper and steel market — not just for Illinois, but for the American scrap industry as a whole. This was true before the market crash in 2008, and it’s been true since the recovery.
It’s a shame that Pat Quinn and Rahm Emanuel do not appear to have a functional relationship, as one smart item of business would be coordinating markets for the recyclables Chicago collects in the new pilot program starting October 3. Potentially several million dollars per year are at stake that could benefit the city’s budget in lean times.
Comment by Boone Logan Square Friday, Sep 16, 11 @ 4:54 pm