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* No, this press release is not from the Onion…

Governor Quinn Becomes Chair of the Midwestern Governors Association

llinois Governor Pat Quinn assumed the duties of Chair of the Midwestern Governors Association (MGA) earlier this week.

“I am honored to become Chairman of the Midwestern Governors Association. The association has a long history of governors who are committed to working together to improve our entire region, and I look forward to continuing that legacy,” said Governor Quinn. “Now, more than ever, we need to band together to create sustained economic growth and success throughout the Midwest.”

Governor Quinn assumed office on Monday, January 10, 2011 and will serve as chair through February of 2012.

The MGA includes Wisconsin and Indiana. At least we beat them in this little battle.

We don’t want things to get too out of hand, though. Remember this Onion piece?…

Hopes for a Midwest peace accord were dealt a severe blow Monday, when a bomb ripped through a toll booth on the I-90 Illinois Tollway. The attack, which killed six and delayed westbound traffic for hours, is believed to be the work of Iowa-based militant Lutheran extremists.

The explosion is the deadliest in the troubled region since Oct. 4, 1997, when a bomb went off in a crowded Kankakee flea market, killing 22.

Illinois governor-elect George Ryan denounced the attack as “the work of cowards.”

“If there is to be any hope of a lasting peace in the Middle West, these sorts of despicable acts of violence must not be tolerated,” said Ryan, speaking before an emergency session of the Illinois legislature. “All sides in the Midwest crisis must demonstrate a genuine commitment to honoring the terms of the Lake Geneva Convention.”

Also, if you don’t understand the headline, click here.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 5:49 pm

Comments

I’m enjoying all the GA members tuning in today and trying to figure out the headline.

Comment by The Captain Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 6:00 pm
“Somebody set us up the bomb!!!”

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 6:06 pm
Rich is such a dork.

I guess I am, too, because I got it.

Comment by George Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 6:10 pm
For those who might be confused the Lake Geneva Convention eventually collapsed when all parties found it too difficult to maintain the number of ‘cute little shops’ the convention required of all signatories.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 6:13 pm
Thanks for the link to that old Onion piece. the new Onion Sports Network on Comedy Central is in the same vein, surely over the top in some aspects, deadly spot on in the portrayal. Oh so much to mine in Illinois politics. Soon, the second Rod trial!

Comment by amalia Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 6:22 pm
My favorite Ryan quote from that story…

“For too long, we have placated these belligerent foreigners, offering them reduced admissions to our waterparks and ‘kids stay free’ deals at our hotels. From this day forward, the state of Illinois will not negotiate with tourists.”

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 6:24 pm
There is always a bright side. That frightening incident in 1998 eventually led to the creation of Open Road Tolling, which has saved countless Midwest Toll Worker lives.

Comment by George Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 6:24 pm
Even with the link, I don’t understand the headline. I can be quite thick.

Still, for what it’s worth, congrats to Gov. Quinn. He can be a brilliant advocate, especially when he’s on the side of the angels like he is here.

Throughout U.S. history, the hard-working, innovative, progressive people of the East and Midwest have had to drag our rather backward cousins from the South and West into the ballgame.

They’ve never been able to take care of themselves, and they resent that we’ve had to do it for them.

To this day, with a couple of exceptions, southern and western state are in the parlance of the time, tax-eaters, not taxpayers.

At some point, though, you have to cut the cord. I think Gov. Quinn will help provide the tough love to help the folks in Arizona, Alaska, Idaho and elsewhere that it’s time to grow up.

You really don’t have a right to watered fairways in the desert.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 6:47 pm
“im in ur base, taxing ur d00ds!”

Comment by MrJM Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 9:09 pm
This is going to be a little sticky, diplomatically: asking these states to cooperate while at the same time we’re trying to poach each other’s industries and tourism. But you know, this is Quinn’s natural element: wonkish panels, committees, task forces, whatever you want to call them. Hopefully they will cooperate on the things that are threats to them all, things like the Asian Carp problem, etc. and maybe they’ll get some interstate compacts going on things that help everyone.

Comment by Newsclown Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 9:52 pm
Excellent. Put in charge of something that really doesn’t matter at all. Perfect for him. To bad he has to remain IL Governor to do it.

Comment by UnionsWonItForQuinn Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 10:43 pm
That’s it.

I’m moving to Wisconsin AND Indiana so I can pay MORE taxes than Illinois!!!

Comment by G. Willickers Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 10:57 pm
It’s time that we build a wall across the State’s northern Border. The cheddar curtain must go up. Remember, Stripes. “I got my ass kicked in Wisconsin once.” Come to think of it, so did I. there are mo more .25 beers, so it’s time to raise the curtain. Remember Indiana employed bobby Knight and Iowa Univ. fueled a false NCAA investigation against our esteemed University. We live on an Island surrounded by sharks. Let’s keep that in mind people. Were is the Illinois National Guard?

Comment by frustrated GOP Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 11:06 pm
I for one, welcome our new insect overlords

Comment by Secret Square Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 6:22 am
Klaatu barada nikto

Comment by Way Way Down Here Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 7:58 am
SS,

It’s difficult to tell from this vantage point whether they will consume the captive Illinois men or merely enslave them. One thing is for certain: there is no stopping them; the Cheeseheads, Hoosiers, and Hawkeyes will soon be here. I’d like to remind them, that as a trusted blog commenter, I can be helpful in rounding up others to toil in their underground corn and dairy caves.

Comment by South Side Mike Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 9:16 am
I believe the MGA leadership is rotating. I think it was just Illinois turn,not some sort of election or victory for Gov. Quinn.

Comment by downstate hack Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 9:18 am
When we finally invade CheeseHeadLand we must demand that we be taken to their lieder/kranz.

Comment by dupage dan Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 9:23 am
Leave it to The Onion to always have a story that somehow matches up with a future event.

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 9:33 am
Unlike some I would fight off any invading neighboring state!

Umm unless it is Kentucky and they had bourbon with them, I mean come on, I am not made out of stone people.

Comment by OneMan Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 10:02 am
“Hopes for a Midwest peace accord were dealt a severe blow Monday, when a bomb ripped through a toll booth on the I-90 Illinois Tollway”

Oh PLEASE let it have been the one on I-90 near O’Hare…

Comment by U-Haul Ho! Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 10:06 am
This from Inside INdiana Business:

1/14/2011
Indiana Moves to Attract Illinois Employers
Wayne Pratt, InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation is already targeting companies that have publicly stated they are looking to leave Illinois. The revelation was included in Governor Mitch Daniels’ budget presentation to the State Budget Committee. Lawmakers in Illinois approved massive tax hikes this week, and Governor Pat Quinn signed the increases into law Thursday.

Once signed by the state’s governor, Illinois’ corporate tax rate will jump 46 percent and the personal rate will increase 67 percent.

The IEDC has told Inside INdiana Business an aggressive marketing strategy will be employed in an effort to draw business away from the neighboring state.

A bill to decrease Indiana’s corporate income tax rate is being filed at the Statehouse. State Senator Brandt Hershman (R-7) says it is the result of several hearings into the issue, not a sudden reaction to developments in Illinois.

Comment by As Sure as the Sun Rises in the East . . . Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 10:31 am
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has been a scandal. They’re been cooking the books on job numbers and giving grants to companies that are undergoing net layoffs.

http://www.wthr.com/story/12550137/reality-check-state-wants-to-keep-job-numbers-s

http://www.wthr.com/story/12518764/reality-check-adding-up-and-subtracting-indian

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 10:44 am