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Poll: Opinion hardening against Quinn

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Illinois
Polls

* Rasmussen polled Gov. Quinn’s favorables this week. Brackets show favorables from polls taken April 28 and March 8…

How would you rate the job Pat Quinn has been doing as Governor… do you strongly approve, somewhat approve, somewhat disapprove, or strongly disapprove of the job he’s been doing?

8% Strongly approve [7, 10]
34% Somewhat approve [34, 33]
23% Somewhat disapprove [30, 28]
34% Strongly disapprove [28, 27]
1% Not sure [2, 2]

Check that “strongly disapprove” trend. Numbers are hardening a bit against him.

* The governor will be cutting a big ribbon today during Rod Blagojevich’s trial…

Gov. Mitch Daniels will join Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn today to commemorate their states’ approval of bills authorizing the Illiana Expressway.

The governors are expected to get together at 12:30 p.m. at the municipal airport in Lansing. The Illiana Expressway, as proposed, would connect Interstate 65 in Indiana with I-57 or I-55 in Illinois.

Projects like that are one reason why he got the AFL-CIO’s endorsement yesterday, despite grumbling by teachers and AFSCME…

Though the AFL-CIO has long backed Democrats, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Illinois Federation of Teachers aren’t happy with some moves Quinn has made as governor.

Henry Bayer, executive director of AFSCME Council 31, said the union did not support making an endorsement for governor because its own endorsement session isn’t until September.

“There’s a lot of issues our members aren’t happy about,” Bayer said, noting Quinn’s signature on a measure that offers lower pension benefits to future state employees and the governor’s attempts to make retired public workers pay more for their health insurance coverage.

David Comerford, a spokesman for the Illinois Federation of Teachers, said the union decided not to vote on an endorsement, a move it has rarely taken at the AFL-CIO. Comerford said the union has concerns about how Quinn has dealt with his union, as well as disagreement over the pension changes. The union’s political arm, which also represents the Chicago Teachers Union, is scheduled to meet in mid-July to determine if it will make its own endorsement for governor.

* Quinn is also working with Attorney General Lisa Madigan to persuade Navistar to change its mind…

State officials said Tuesday they have stepped up their efforts to persuade Navistar International Corp. to renew its plans to open a new corporate headquarters in west suburban Lisle, in an effort to prevent thousands of jobs and millions of dollars from leaving Illinois.

On Tuesday, aides to Gov. Pat Quinn met with Lisle Mayor Joseph Broda and labor representatives “to reiterate the governor’s strong commitment to ensuring the jobs and investment that Navistar wants to bring to Illinois become a reality,” said Quinn spokeswoman Ashley Cross.

“The group discussed the concerns of the local community, as well as potential ways to resolve them,” Cross said. “Gov. Quinn will continue working with Navistar and the local community to resolve these outstanding issues so that we can bring these critical jobs and investment to Illinois.”

The talks came days after Quinn signed legislation that would expand a corporate tax credit to include Navistar, potentially saving the engine manufacturer $60 million over 10 years, his aides said.

More…

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is offering to negotiate between Navistar and the Lisle residents angered over the handling of the company’s planned relocation of its headquarters to the community.

In a letter to local residents, Madigan said her office had already been contacted by Navistar and now wants to hear their side.

“While my office does not represent any party in this matter, Navistar has already contacted us about its own concerns, and we would like to hear from you as well. We believe differences can be bridged if we have an opportunity to meet with you and seek a reasonable approach,” Madigan said in the letter dated June 7 that was mailed to community members. Madigan goes on to say public health and safety are top priorities for her office along with job creation and that they “are not mutually exclusive goals.”

Despite the efforts, though, Navistar is saying nothing has really changed. It wants out.

* Quinn continued his attacks on Bill Brady yesterday as well…

Gov. Pat Quinn charged Tuesday that Bill Brady, the Republican nominee for governor, should forgo his state paycheck for any days where he missed a vote in his role as Bloomington’s state senator.

“Most citizens, if they weren’t showing up for work, wouldn’t get paid, and I think that’s something we should always take into consideration,” Quinn told reporters.

But when the tables were turned, Quinn said he wouldn’t give up any of the nearly $150,000 he’s collecting as governor for days he was off seeking endorsements or raising money for his campaign.

“If I get a call in the middle of the night, there’s no time off. I have to act in the middle of the night,” said Quinn, adding that Brady has failed at his only job - making votes.

Response…

“Given the condition of the state, I don’t think Gov. Quinn wants to launch a debate on who deserves a paycheck from taxpayers,” responded Brady spokeswoman Patty Schuh.

Schuh also said there’s more to being a senator than voting on the Senate floor, including helping constituents “get paid by a government that’s been a deadbeat.”

“There has been a focus on a very small period of time,” she said of the missed votes. “We acknowledged that he missed votes, but he also made many, many votes.”

* And the two candidates went back and forth on the Blagojevich legacy…

During the 2006 campaign, then-Lt. Gov. Quinn defended Blagojevich, who already was beset by corruption investigations into his administration. “In all my interactions with him, I’ve found him to be an honest person,” Quinn said at the time.

[Yesterday], Quinn said he later challenged Blagojevich on his proposals, such as a proposed major tax on businesses, and noted Blagojevich contended he did not consider Quinn to be part of the administration.

Quinn cited a variety of other reforms put into law since then, ranging from changes in purchasing procedures to campaign finance to a referendum on recall this November. […]

“The beginning of disgraced Governor Rod Blagojevich’s criminal trial is a stark reminder to voters that too many Illinois politicians have long placed their own interests before the people’s interests. Enough is enough,” said Brady in a campaign statement issued today.

* Related and a roundup…

* What biz needs to ask Brady and Quinn

* Chicago Group Wants Intransigent Lawmakers To Pay “Political Price”

* Quinn will consider STAR bonds

* Quinn still ‘working on’ getting pension plan backing

* Quinn OKs letting universities borrow up to 9%

* Under new law, state universities can borrow to cover costs

* Poshard: ‘We’re not out of woods’

* New Law Allows State Universities to Borrow

* Without state funding, borrowing is best of bad options for colleges

* New bill would push harsher penalties for consumer fraud

* Herald & Review: Sales tax holiday could be a boost

* State law would overturn local rules on political signs

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 12:32 pm

Comments

What’s so magical about that one parcel in Lisle? The SOI will bend over backwards to keep them here at a nearby location.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 12:40 pm
So quinns strategy of an almost silent or invisble campainging seems to be working well….for Brady

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 12:52 pm
Only job of a legislator is to vote? Interesting though

Comment by Oneman Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 12:56 pm
Patty Schuh is a lifesaver for Brady.

As to polls hardening against Quinn, I’m surprised. It appears that voters are disinterested in political games and instead are focusing on reality. Quinn is going to have to win ugly by going after Brady ideologically, and hope voters will vote that way. Right now - they are not.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 1:16 pm
Nah VM Quinn just needs to put up some ad’s so information about him not voting, not payin taxes, voteing to benefit himslef financialy, voting for animals gas chambers etc actualy makes it to the public at large.

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 1:21 pm
==While my office does not represent any party in this matter==

At least she is proving my favorite two points. She is an incompetent attorney and has no interest in representing the people of the state of Illinois. You do represnet someone…uhh the people! The AG admitting she represents no one involved when there are citizens interest at issue is probably the most telling summary of Lisa Madigan’s career. If Daddy ain’t involved I don’t represent anyone. That comments is just scary if you are a serious attorney. Yikes!

I think most people would consider the Governor’s most urgent job is to pass a Constitutional budget. Since Pat has failed twice now to do the single most important part of his job, will he give his salary back. HE and Rod were absent from the legislative process for 6 years and now he wants to get on Brady for missing irrelevant votes. When Pat signs a balanced budget then he can collect his pay check and talk.

Comment by the Patriot Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 1:33 pm
Brady’s campaign is showing how much competent staff can help shore up an incompetent candidate.

A shame Quinn is incapable of learning that lesson.

Comment by ILPundit Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 1:39 pm
Not entirely accurate that a legislator’s only job is to vote. Their job is to vote in the manner their party boss has told them to.

Comment by Aldyth Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 1:39 pm
How about Gov Quinn forgoing his salary every day he wasn’t in Springfield when the Legislature was in session? He was missing more the Blago the last 4 weeks of session.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 1:44 pm
- He was missing more the Blago the last 4 weeks of session. -

Nice drive by, care to back that up with any actual numbers?

Comment by Small Town Liberal Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 1:48 pm
If I get a call in the middle of the night, there’s no time off. I have to act in the middle of the night,” said Quinn, adding that Brady has failed at his only job - making votes.

I wonder what Mike Madigan and Senator Cullerton thinks of this? And the other members of the Legislation. Just wait to hear from the Governor and vote. Pretty simple job.

Comment by downstate hack Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 1:54 pm
If the Lisle NIMBYs don’t want Navistar’s jobs and income spending in their exclusive corner of Paradise, I’d welcome them in Chicago. I’m sure Mayor Daley is all over this, what with eight months to go before the 2011 Election.

Right?

Hello, Fifth Floor? (Tap-tap-tap) Is this thing on?

Comment by Northsider Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 1:59 pm
One of the things that is amazing to most of us is the failure of Bill Brady to approach the unions and ask to sit down and talk with them. The unions actually want to have dialogue with Brady so they can explain their problems. They are so upset with Quinn that they are now willing to talk with Brady. Yet, Bill Brady is tone deaf and he can’t hear “opportunity knocking at his door.” Brady needs to seize the moment and actually sit down and listen to the unions and their problems. Brady is trying to create jobs. In Quinn’s case, weeellll, not so much (at least not very hard). Somebody in the Illinois GOP needs to poke and wake up Bill Brady and tell him to start smelling the aroma of union coffee. Here is the first time in a long while that the union leadership and the Illinois GOP candidate for Governor actually have more in common than they have in the way of differences. Both of them are seeking the same goal of “jobs for Illinois residents.” Old stereotypes seem to have built up a fence between the GOP’s Bill Brady and the Illinois union’s leadership. What a shame that both fail to see their common ground. What a tragedy for Illinois!

Comment by Festus Hagen Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 2:01 pm
Ms. Schuh does seem to be very effective, but Brady is going to need a whole campaign staff of the same or greater competence. So far, we up here around Chicago haven’t seen much of Brady and that could be a problem when you consider that Quinn is the
hometown candidate up here.

Comment by cassandra Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 2:09 pm
Festus: Unions just announced their support for Quinn and Alexi…please keep up with current events…BTW, let’s ask the voters who is performing better in their current jobs Quinn vs. Brady and see what the results are…surprise! this is not a good year for ANY incumbent…

Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 2:09 pm
From the Southern Illinoisan:

Mt Vernon Mayor appeals to Governor for amendatory veto

Comment by Ronbo Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 2:24 pm
Does the union backing help Quinn that much?
When the problems of state spending have so much to do with money owed to public sector unions, does the union support of Quinnn only reinforce that issue in voter’s minds?

Comment by Downstater Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 3:34 pm
Quinn should stay like a laser on those votes Brady cast as a senator that were intended to enrich himself and his business.

Every lawyer I’ve talked to thinks that’s at least as bad as anything Blago’s charged with. In fact I’ve heard reports that some donors are already getting gunshy about contributing just based on that story. It’s like “here we go again.”

Comment by just sayin' Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 3:41 pm
==Every lawyer I’ve talked to thinks that’s at least as bad as anything Blago’s charged with.==

And, except for the fact that what Brady did was perfectly legal, they’re right.

Legislators everywhere vote for highways to their towns, medical care for their grandmothers, even their own pay and benefits, all the time. Lawyers in the legislature create laws they will be paid to interpret. Insurance brokers vote on insurance laws. It can’t be avoided. Trying to outlaw anything short of outright sale of a vote for cash (kinda like selling an appointment or your signature on a bill for a campaign contribution) is a lot trickier than you seem to think.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 8:22 pm
“Legislators everywhere vote for highways to their towns, medical care for their grandmothers, even their own pay and benefits, all the time. Lawyers in the legislature create laws they will be paid to interpret. Insurance brokers vote on insurance laws.”

Really? The Brady camp thinks that’s an intelligent response? Seriously? Do you really think those examples are anything like what we’re talking about?

Brady voted for bills, specifically written and tailored to his real estate projects. Anyone with an iota of sense and integrity would recuse themself on such a vote, at a minimum.

And Brady didn’t need to pay cash to a politician for a vote. He was there as a senator to cast the votes himself. He simply got rid of the middle man.

Comment by too obvious Wednesday, Jun 9, 10 @ 11:08 pm