Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Sun-Times endorses Quinn, but problems and big questions remain

Posted in:

Illinois

* This is about as glowing an endorsement as the governor could possibly expect…

One year ago, the state of Illinois hit one of the lowest points in its 191-year history.

Then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich had been led away in handcuffs, charged with trying to sell Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat. His Springfield colleagues moved to excise the poison, swiftly impeaching him.

Into that void walked the anti-Blagojevich, Patrick J. Quinn.

Where Blagojevich is underhanded, Gov. Quinn is an open book. Where Blagojevich is flashy, Quinn is rumpled and real. And, most important, where Blagojevich is dishonest and manipulative, Quinn has proven himself over a long career to be a man you can trust.

As Illinois’ accidental governor, Quinn has had a bumpy ride. But nearly a year after landing the job, his integrity, passion and commitment to fight for the little guy are still what Illinois needs.

The paper even glossed over the early prisoner release debacle, pretty much ignoring much of their own publication’s coverage.

Anyway, there’s lots of great fodder in there for a Quinn TV ad. It was pretty darned solid.

* Speaking of that early release program, this is just lovely…

Gov. Pat Quinn says he’s already addressed all questions about his administration’s role in a secret early release program from Illinois prisons.

He won’t explain exactly when he learned the program included violent offenders or why he has made contradictory statements about whether he knew of the program in advance.

More…

…Quinn refused to give a clear timeline about when he met with corrections chief Michael Randle about the program. Instead, Quinn said he talked with Randle about the general policy of early release “on several occasions” following his May appointment.

Quinn has blamed Randle for the program but did not fire him.

The governor said he thought early release would involve only low-level offenders who were nearing the end of their prison terms. He said he learned of the “MGT Push” program only after reading the AP story. That contradicted his statement weeks earlier that he knew about the program and that it had been well-publicized.

When asked if he thought he had changed his story, Quinn said softly, “No, I don’t.”

This is not gonna die until we get some more answers. Period. The AP’s John O’Connor, who broke the MGT Push story, is about as dogged as a reported can get. He never lets go. Just ask the State Board of Education about O’Connor’s years-long jihad. It was quite an amazing sight to behold, I’m tellin’ ya.

Also, the smaller outlets are now reporting on local angles…

An Elgin man sentenced to two years in prison for aggravated battery to a pregnant person, criminal trespass and knowingly damaging property was released on parole in October after serving only 15 days of his sentence.

And…

It was uncomfortable for Kane County prosecutors to cut a deal with Michael Rodriguez. After all, he was charged with participating in the Halloween 1990 murder of rival Aurora gang leader Albert “Psycho” Gonzalez.

Rodriguez admitted to firing at Gonzalez, although ballistics proved he was a poor shot. The fatal bullets were fired by Rodriguez’s fellow gang members.

But prosecutors needed Rodriguez’s testimony. So he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and got 5½ years in prison.

Now, less than three years after he was arrested, Rodriguez is back on the street.

And…

A Will County man sentenced to prison on a drug charge was freed early under a controversial state program that Gov. Pat Quinn called a “mistake” and discontinued last week, a Chicago Sun-Times analysis found.

Charles Robinette, 40, had been sentenced to 12 months in prison. He served just 12 days, the analysis found.

This was not the first time Robinette was eligible for early release from prison.

On Oct. 5, 1995, Robinette, then 26, of Wilmington robbed a liquor store in Rockdale. The owner of Bait and Beer was stabbed and beaten with a hammer.

Robinette received a 20-year prison sentence for attempted murder.

And then there are the related angles. For instance…

A watchdog group says the state’s prison system for juveniles is hobbled by management problems and needs a major overhaul in order to better serve troubled youth.

After a two-year study, the John Howard Association of Illinois found shortfalls in staffing, deteriorating buildings and a lack of follow-up after juveniles are released from facilities.

“While the department has made progress, it needs to do more if Illinois is to offer troubled youth an opportunity for meaningful change in their lives,” the report said.

The group’s criticism of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice comes as Gov. Pat Quinn has been under fire for a secret early-release program for adult prisoners in which more than 1,700 inmates were let go after serving little time behind bars.

This is a policy and political disaster. There’s just no other way to put it.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 10:14 am

Comments

The man charged with murdering a 16 year old Fenger student was an early parollee

A 42-year-old parolee with a long rap sheet was charged with fatally shooting a 16-year-old boy outside of a Far South Side convenience store last week.

Friends and family described Couch as having had numerous run-ins with police. His accused killer — currently out on parole — also has numerous arrests and felony convictions, including a 2007 conviction for weapon possession by a felon.

White served just over two years of a six-year sentence before being released two weeks before Couch’s murder. Police didn’t offer a motive for the slaying.

Two years served on a 6 year sentence then goes out and kills a 16 year old. Yeah Quinn is sure saving money letting these criminals back on the street.

Comment by Fed Up Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 10:21 am
yep-I was hoping you would post this-

Quinn has had his problems, but I never doubt his regard for the citizens of this State…I can’t say that about others in positions of “leadership” in our State…

Comment by Loop Lady Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 10:28 am
Quinn couldn’t have written the endorsement better himself.

He’s certainly better than Blago, but this ain’t “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” He’s an Illinois political animal like everybody else. “Open book?” Wow.

And I’d remind the Sun-Times that “the little guy” looking for work haven’t received any benefits from the capital construction program they reference. The bonds haven’t been issued. The Sun-Times might want to ask why not.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 10:31 am
Thee is no way to spin yourself out of this early release mess. But while the media has a field day with it (which is fair), it is fair to point out that the early release program has been going on since the late 1970’s, when the State changed its sentencing guidelines after claims that they were discriminatory towards minorities. Loyola University Law School did a good report on this in June of 2009. The State has been releasing prisoners who basically served half time for the last thirty years. And while I am it, someone with some cojones should ask Bill Brady how his across the board 10% budget cut in every state agency and department is going to keep these guys locked up.

Comment by Big Policy Nerd Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 10:34 am
So should every person in Illinois who commits a crime be locked up forever?

I understand this was a GIGANTIC mistake, but this has been happening for 30 years or longer, anyone who believes all offenders serve there full sentences is naive.

Comment by Cubs2010 Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 10:36 am
The Suntimes is way off with this one. Quinn knew about this program in May and now when the heat is on it is the director of corrections fault? Quinn has a pattern of when ever the heat is on he caves and blames someone else for his problems. He also has some serious problems in the African-American community because he has not relationships and neither do his appointees. So do not be surprised if the vote totals are very low for Quinn which puts him in serious trouble in the fall!

Comment by HUH Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 10:36 am
Seems to me that the early release debacle, especially if the early releasees continue to commit new crimes, has the potential to negate one of the strongest arguments Quinn could otherwise raise against his most likely general election opponent, Jim Ryan.

Whatever role Ryan played in wrongfully convicting three guys of murder 20+ years ago is probably not going to look so bad to the average voter when compared to the role Quinn played in letting hundreds of rightfully convicted criminals out on the street within the past few months. After all, the threat of being a victim of crime is much greater and more real to most people than the threat of being wrongly accused of a crime (even though public officials have a duty to protect innocent people from both).

Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 10:41 am
That endorsement has little substance. In his time in office, Quinn has failed to make the substantial spending cuts necessary to keep the State solvent, has failed to make any real reduction in Blagojevich political appointees, and has failed to bring the unions to the bargaining table with good faith negotiations. He also has failed to persuade the legislature to make any meaningful changes in tax policy or ethics reform. Finally, how can they refer to him as an “open book” when he has used his personal phone for State business and then blocked the people’s access to those records?

He may be better than Blagojevich, but I don’t think that is exactly the standard by which we should judge our politicians.

Comment by Pelon Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 10:42 am
Isn’t this the same editorial board that endorsed Rod in 2006?

Comment by NC Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 10:44 am
the S-T editorial board also endorsed Todd Stroger in 2006, claiming he’d be able to work better with the Democrat-controlled Cook County Board Of Commissioners than my guy Tony Peraica. Ha!

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 10:46 am
I think Quinn’s glowing endorsement from the Sun-Times is prescient for what the public is thinking. He is a little buumbling, but man as long as he is not Blago or Ryan, let’s give him his own shot at things. That carries him through the primary easily. I’m not sure that attitude sticks around through November, though. I think his governance skills will need to improve between now and November, particularly because Kirk may pull some moderate Dems to vote GOP in that race. There is always a danger that once you start punching for a party you keep punching for it. Quinn has to earn his vote come November. For the primary, though, he gets his pass from the public.

Comment by Niles Township Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 10:47 am
There are many questions that need to get answered. But the biggie is WHO decided that a prisoner’s prior criminal history (length, or the seriousness of offenses, or whether he has been early released previously) should not even be considered when deciding on the “privilege” of early release for a new crime. That thought process shows such cluelessness, illogic, and utter disregard for public welfare that it beggars belief. Stuff like this is what they mean when law abiding citizens complain about coddling criminals.

I wonder how much the citizens of the good State of Illinois will end up forking over in lawsuits when the full force of this impact on new victims is sorted out and hungry lawyers get involved.

Comment by Responsa Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 10:47 am
What a great endorsement for Quinn. At least the Sun-times gets it.

BTW, the hysterical drugery of trying to pin every crime committed in the last 3 months on Quinn is already wearing thin and is back firing in the minority communities.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 10:59 am
Quinn does appear to be the Chicago Democratic Machine candidate (this would be the same Machine that gave us our Blago) and that will likely get him through the primary unless Downstate voters do something pretty astonishing in the turnout department and vote for Hynes.

So the only thing that could save us from four more years of bumbling, non-fumigation, sucking up to state employee unions (does anybody believe he really meant to do those layoffs?), and hitting up the middle class to pay for it all is…a Republican. But they have problems too.
Big problems. And the leader in the polls, Ryan, looks kind of like a Democrat. Hinting at the value of middle class tax increases and light—ultra-light—on the cuts. If Ryan wins the primary, voters might reasonably stay with the devil they know, since the devils look so much alike.

Comment by cassandra Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 11:05 am
Cassandra,

I don’t think you have any idea how silly it is to suggest Quinn is the machine candidate against Hynes.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 11:12 am
And at the exact same time, Quinn wants to close and sell Thomson - a “little-used” prison in return for what again? $130 million, some government jobs and the privilege of housing terrorists? So far, Quinn has pursued a rather aggressive policy of trading the imprisonment of convicts for the monetary gain of the State. That’s a pretty interesting policy to pursue in an election year.

I’d agree that desperate economic times may call for desperate measures, but selling the safety of the general public is not one of them. Quinn needs to showcase something very positive and very big right now. MAP grant funding is not nearly enough, and it certainly won’t carry him through the general election.

Comment by KeepSmiling Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 11:20 am
PJW-and the Machine has demonstrated its enthusiasm
for Hynes….how? I think it’s possible to overstate the influence of Hynes’ dad, as the primary vote count will no doubt demonstrate.

Comment by cassandra Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 11:21 am
How much longer can newspapers make these kinds of endorsements and have any effect on elections? Isn’t it about time that the folks who demand that public officials be held accountable, be themselves accountable for the horrific and flat-out stupid endorsements they have made?

I know that political endorsements from newspapers go back to the very first day of their existence. They started out as partisan publications in many cases. Yet still, one has to wonder just how long newspapers and the editors who continue the practice of endorsing politicians can continue in light of the poor judgements they have made.

In this era of the dying newspaper dailies, the endorsements they make seem as good a business decision as putting padded vinyl roofs on HUMMERS.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 11:22 am
I don’t see how any media can endorse Quinn. I agree he is not as bad as Blago but he has wasted a year when he could have started Illinois onto the road to recovery. Quinn may be the governor but state agencies continue to be run by inept flunkies. Quin is no leader. Maybe the Chicago media could finally inform citizens of the ruse going on in Springfield.

Comment by Bman Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 11:28 am
Psst, Cassandra, will it make you feel a tiny bit better towards your pocketbook if you learn my site lost roughly 25% of it’s workforce in the last year due to retirement and there are no foreseeable plans for replacing them. The works still here (that did not go away and we were short on staff prior to these retirements), but hey, the staff is reduced, hope you’re not too disappointed it was done here by retirement rather than layoff though.

Comment by Cindy Lou Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 11:31 am
@ Secret Square

The problem with that argument is that if Ryan wants to go after Quinn for early release, Ryan can get hit right back with it. This program has been around for decades. Ryan was the State’s top prosecutor for eight years when thousands of prisoners were released early. One of them was George Setzekorn of Carlinville, who arranged a plea deal and got released two years early for killing his wife. Setzekorn got out of jail and then murdered his daughter. This early release has been going on for decades. It is sad and disgusting. Cheap rhetoric won’t solve the problem.

Comment by Burrito Bandit Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 11:46 am
Cindy Lou-
I absolutely think that retirements are preferable to layoffs. They are unlikely to solve the problem though. As you know, headcount is fungible in state government. A few retirees here and bingo, you can use the freed headcount do some more political hires over there. I don’t believe there is a freeze on political hiring, and, given the Democratic Machine’s extreme fondness for government patronage, our Pat probably has a lot of political hiring left to do.

Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 12:06 pm
==his integrity, passion and commitment to fight for the little guy ===

Integrety and committment to fight? Since he became governor, what fight (or even hint of unpleasantness) has he not backed down from? And what position has he not abandoned or flip-flopped on when questioned?

I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt on passion, but not because I’ve seen evidence of it but because I haven’t seen incontrovertible evidence to the contrary.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 12:21 pm
If the Sun-Times was ignoring some of Quinn’s botched programs then how was the endorsement solid?

Comment by Levois Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 12:57 pm
“Quinn does appear to be the Chicago Democratic Machine candidate (this would be the same Machine that gave us our Blago) and that will likely get him through the primary unless Downstate voters do something pretty astonishing in the turnout department and vote for Hynes.”

He’s also the candidate of the progressive community, the reform community, the downstate machine, the African American community, the Latino community… He has near universal support among the party.

That’s how you get to a 20 point lead against a 12 year statewide elected official, whose dad is on the executive board of the DNC and has 5 times as much money you. Oh, and it helps that you’re a really good candidate.

Comment by Wizard of Ozzie Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 1:08 pm
Oh, and Rich, can you please tell me you why you decided to include early release stories with the Sun Times endorsement? Especially when you were doing another section on early prison release?

The next time you post something positive about Quinn without spinning will be the first. Your attempts to make this a horse race are getting tiresome.

Comment by Wizard of Ozzie Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 1:11 pm
Wizard of Ozzie:

Stop being a big crybaby. This is a blog and impartiality is not required. I don’t see things quite as lopsided as you do but that’s good for me. I wouldn’t provide any good stories or observations about Pat Quinn b/c there are none. He is a LOSER of a Governor. He cannot seem to figure out the “govern” part of being Governor. And anybody that thinks he is some Saint must be drinking heavily. He’s Governor now so he throws ethics to the side at a whim when it suits him.

Cassandra:

If only we all had your infinite knowledge. The only one bumbling around is you everytime you open your mouth. How about you try to make some good arguments once in a while instead of doing whatever you can to dump on the state workforce?

Comment by RJW Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 1:37 pm
Ozzie,

I’m sure that Quinn is popular with the special interest groups you mention, but what is his appeal to the 60-75% of the State who are either Republicans, Independents, or moderate Democrats? By the time the election rolls around in November, school districts, social service agencies, health care providers, and various other receipients of State funds will be in serious trouble or bankrupt. How is he going to address that? By saying that the problems wouldn’t have occurred if only the legislature had approved his tax increases? Good luck winning with that message. I think the Democrats only have three possible ways to win the general election:

1) Dan Hynes wins the nomination and runs on a platform promising to correct the excesses of the last tweleve years.

2) The Republicans nominate an extremist who can’t win independents.

3) The economy has a miraculous rebound.

Comment by Pelon Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 1:40 pm
Cassie, please stop typing “our Pat” we don’t own him like a piece of property or something, it’s creepy…and besides, it seems like you wouldn’t want to own any part of him by way of your comments on this blog…Thank you!

Comment by Loop Lady Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 1:49 pm
How many times has Quinn flip flopped. Roland Burris he talked tough then tucked his tail between his leggs and smiled when Booby Rush told him to be shut up. The two U of I clout trustees who had the choice to resign or he would replace them tough talk then tuck his tail between his leggs and shut up when booby Rush told him to. Tough talk on the budget then deciedes to just ignore the budget. This man has shown no backbone and no ability to lead. P.S. he was Blagos running mate. He kept his mouth shut and cashed his check for 6 years while Blago and him ruined this state.

Comment by Fed up Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 1:51 pm
Fed Up-

What did Dan do to stand up to Rod? Dan wrote… A LETTER!!! He loooooves to write letters. Actually accomplishing anything, not so much.

Quinn testified against the GRT. He actually took action to stop Rod and his ridiculous plans. Dan sat on the sidelines. As usual.

Comment by Wizard of Ozzie Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 1:56 pm
Quinn kept his mouth shut and cashed his check for 6 years knowing full well that Blago was a criminal. Know after getting his chance to lead he has failed miserably. look at the budget, the Burris fiasco the U of I trustee mess, his playing games with map grants 4 more years of Quinn and Il will be worse off then California.

Comment by Fed up Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 2:06 pm
It’s nice to see the discussion going back to which guy was more of a Blago backer and away from all this silly letting the murderers out thing.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 2:13 pm
Congratulations to Quinn on getting this endorsement.

Suffice it to say that I vehemently disagree with the S-T editorial board’s conclusion(s) of Quinn as govrernor.

Intellectually I understand their pathos-based editorial. But, intellectually I also find it sad that there are people who are willing to accept inept governing. I don’t understand why people don’t think that they deserve better or can do better. It’s especially sad because the editorial board admit some of quinn’s serious faults, while neglecting to include some of his more major faults.

I almost get the impression that Governor Quinn fans are waiting for Mike Madigan to exit stage left so that Quinn can be finally be the good governor they’ve wanted. But to me Madigan appears to be a spry late 60s-something -year -old who by the looks of it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

So, in the meantime what are illinoisans supposed to do? We cannot afford to put up with anymore incompetent governing.

The pension issue doesn’t bother me because I think most state government workers are not paid nearly what they are worth or would get in the private sector. So I think generous pension benefits help to attract and retain high quality individuals who otherwise might overlook working in government. let me be clear: it’s the frontline workers that I think deserve a good pension because they are typically taking home some of the most meager pay. Do I have a problem with reports of people getting six-figure a year pensions? In some cases yes.

Quinn hires a retired CHICAGO police officer, as we know the retired ones are living on some nice pensions benefits, who is now going to likely draw a six-figure per year salary, with the generous benefits, that he really doesn’t need. for all intents and purposes McCotter is double-dipping. Does Quinn even care that McCotter stands to make out like a bandit at Illinois taxpayer expense? I don’t recall any open calls for resumes for the newly created positon(s) that were made up last week.

I am curious as to the McCotter-Quinn connection. how did quinn come to select him and only him?

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousands plus words, and Jack Higgins’ cartoon under the S-T editorial gets it just right and gets the real heart of the matter. The person elected to office ultimately says what about the people who put him or her there? It’s no different than the person you choose as a spouse. Ideally you should want the best for yourself, or someone complementary. Illinois has found itself suffering and is now reeling from years of bad/poor leadership. And, Illinois is poised yet again to continue down that misguided path.

Note to S-T editorial board: you’re gonna find that your paper will be on the brink of folding again because of persistent revenue shortfalls. people won’t be buying news(papers)or much else, and your advertisers won’t be making money. If past performance is any indication, and it usually is,Quinn isn’t going to be able to deliver on jobs—he didn’t really deliver last year. so, don’t come crying and getting mad about how people don’t value print journalism anymore or how people have no taste for substance. When your find yourseleves out in the cold just use the editorial page from today’s paper to comfort you and keep you warm.

Comment by Will County Woman Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 2:42 pm
ah. Loop Lady, but he is our Pat, just as our Blago was our Blago. We elected him-as lt. guv., true, but anybody in 2006 who didn’t think there was a decent chance he’d be governor just wasn’t paying attention. Anyway, we have to take full responsibility. He didn’t seize power in a coup.

Comment by cassandra Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 3:23 pm
That’s one of the reasons many people including myself did vote for him for LG…I still am glad…sorry about your your lack of enthusiasm…

Comment by Loop Lady Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 3:27 pm
I have a cynical, yet perhaps accurate explanation for the endorsement. Quinn signed the most important piece of special interest legislation of the year, the FOIA rewrite. SEIU supports the candidates who support them, the media establishment is no different. Expect the FOIA bill to be mentioned in virtually every endorsement of Quinn. I don’t begrudge them, but lets put then in the same category as any other interest group….

Comment by gfalkes Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 3:44 pm
As Bilandic had his snowstorm, other politicians have had their defining disaster. I believe that having a number of violent criminals released and comitting crimes against people wil hobble Quinn.

At least New York’s Patterson is berating the legislature for overspending. “our Pat” is leading the charge in spending $$ we do not have.

Comment by Plutocrat03 Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 3:54 pm
I listened to an interview with Governor Patterson this morning. His major themes: They are spending too much on education and healthcare without seeing results. The legislature is addicted to borrowing and spending, and that isn’t sustainable. Special interest groups are wielding too much strength in the legislature.

Illinois and New York are in very similar circumstances. The differences is that Patterson has the courage to be honest about the situation facing New York despite the fact that it has made him unpopular while Quinn is doing everything he can to put off the inevitable until after the election.

Although I don’t agree with a lot of his positions, I’d take Governor Patterson over any of the current candidates in either party.

Comment by Pelon Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 4:30 pm
Wow..not one comment about all the troubles in the Juvenile division? The lack of training, the lack of leadership, the unqualified Asst. Wardens? These “kids” are the same ones you see on the news every nite doing the dirty work for older gang members. Then they come to juvie and we have no control over them because we have no direction since the day we were taken out of DOC. These “kids” have no respect or direction to follow. They are highly aggressive and assault staff without consequences. But I guess they have to wait to graduate to the adult division of DOC before anyone cares.

Comment by JUST SAYIN Thursday, Jan 7, 10 @ 4:58 pm