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* State Rep. John Cavaletto (R-Salem) on Gov. Quinn’s plan to close several state facilities and Quinn’s refusal to meet with protesters this week who would be impacted by that closure plan…

[Cavaletto] states those losing their jobs should have been told before the Governor made the announcement to close the facilities. “The thing about it is, if the Governor is doing the right thing by closing these facilities, then he should face the people. But when you’re closing them and running away, then it’s a sign that you’re doing the wrong thing, and you don’t want to face the music. So a tough decision being governor is one thing, and you got to face the people when you make them, but you should talk with the people before you make them to let them know what you’re planning on doing, and then if you got to do it, go ahead and do it, and we’ll all understand”, said Cavaletto.

He says you can’t shut down facilities and throw people aside like they’re nothing, and says that is the problem with the state of Illinois. “We’ve got no compassion for the people who are losing their jobs, and no compassion for the people at Murray Center who have to be moved and go to another facility or home or somewhere far away from their moms and dads. This is the sad part about this; it’s a humanistic thing”, said Cavaletto.

Cavaletto says corn will grow again, but the lives of people are short, and the lives of those who are being moved out of developmental disability facilities could be shorter.

* From the Southern Illinoisan editorial board…

Gov. Quinn, we appreciate your candor on the closures and your willingness to announce drought aid in Southern Illinois. But frankly you took us by surprise by holding a news conference far off the beaten path and far apart from the apparent destination. We might have expected this of your predecessor, federal prisoner Rod Blagojevich, but even your critics considered you a stand-up guy.

You wouldn’t have made new friends by meeting the protesters eye-to-eye, but you would at least have tried to earn their respect. It was an opportunity to stand your ground and answer questions from the public — including people who trusted you with their votes for governor. We expected more from you, governor. We are disappointed.

* WSIL TV’s Fanna Haile-Selassie…

The news media was told to be at a Waltonville farmer’s home by a certain time. My photographer, Jared Roberts, and I began conducting interviews when we overheard the press conference would be held somewhere else. We were told we would be moving in a caravan to the actual location where the governor was giving his speech. We were near the front of a very long caravan of reporters, Farm Bureau officials, and state officials. We were led a couple miles away, down a long, single-lane farm road that eventually opened into a corn field. It was already packed with the governor’s staff and several satellite trucks from Champaign and St. Louis media outlets, so we were stuck on the road with nowhere to move.

One of the governor’s security staff came out and saw the long line of cars and immediately started yelling at everyone to clear the road, to somehow turn around, and then walk back to the news conference. Since we were at the front of the caravan, I grabbed the camera and microphone and quickly went to the meeting, while Jared dealt with the big screaming match between reporters and the governor’s security staff.

The governor began speaking just as I was setting up my camera. He did not wait for the rest of the media to get there. Several reporters missed half the conference because of the parking issue.

There was no explanation given for the change of venue, but it appeared the governor was trying to avoid the rallying prison workers. Considering that the governor gives hundreds of speeches every year, there really is no excuse for the lack of communication and horrible planning that went into the Waltonville news conference

* Governor Quinn’s Press Secretary Brooke Anderson…

“To be clear, there was an issue with the Farm Bureau’s satellite feed yesterday and the schedule was accelerated last minute as a result. While we regret that there was any confusion or inconvenience, we tried to be as accommodating as possible in addressing this unforeseen circumstance and worked to ensure that reporters had access to the governor and the announcement, which they did.”

Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 9:21 am

Comments

Quinn has an obligation to meet with the folks impacted by closures in their areas. That’s part of the job he’s been chasing his whole life, and no one said it would be chicken and gravy every day.

He should set up meetings indoors in their towns so people don’t have to chase him around outdoors in 100 degree heat to get his attention.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 9:32 am
The whole situation was rather bizarre. Quinn used to always say that he was willing to “speak truth to power.” I wonder what Lt. Gov Quinn would have said if his former running mate would have pulled this same stunt circa 2007.

Comment by John A Logan Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 9:34 am
Brook Anderson can only say what is written on paper for her to say. We can’t blame her, but understand her position.

Comment by Along 64 Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 9:39 am
She is full of it, I was there. Quinn’s staff drove by saw us and move it.

Comment by Strobby Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 9:41 am
Disappointing.

Comment by soccermom Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 9:49 am
@Strobby-you are 100% correct. A hundred others did also.

Comment by Along 64 Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 9:52 am
Shameful.

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 9:57 am
“To be clear, there was an issue with the Farm Bureau’s satellite feed yesterday and the schedule was accelerated last minute as a result. While we regret that there was any confusion or inconvenience, we tried to be as accommodating as possible in addressing this unforeseen circumstance and worked to ensure that reporters had access to the governor and the announcement, which they did.”

Oh….puleeze.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 10:01 am
As for the Governor’s response, does it pass the smell or duck test?

In my opinion, no.

Comment by LINK Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 10:04 am
What happened to: “everybody in, nobody left out”?
sounds like the Quinndergarten could use some communication direction.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 10:06 am
Sad, sad, sad. I thought Quinn was a man of integrity.

Comment by Downstate Babe Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 10:13 am
So when the truth is inconvenient, don’t tell it. Spokesperson Anderson reminds us of recent past Blago mouthpieces. Quinn is the real guilty party here. He was no more prepared (and still isn’t) to handle the job he sought his entire adult life. We cringe every time he speaks.

Comment by Bitterman Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 10:31 am
This was a drought conference, not a facility closing conference. If the plans had to be changed to make sure the relevant issue was properly addressed, so be it.

If those impacted by facility closings want a meeting, I say set one up. Make sure to invite all of the small government, slash spending conservatives so they can explain how their complaints align with their philsophy.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 10:37 am
I guess for Quinn the job of governor has proved the old saying true- be careful what you wish for. You just might get it. All his public life he has “stood up for the common man”. At least that’s what he said he did. 3 years in the state’s highest office has exposed him for what he really is- a typical politician. The fact that he continues to act like his former running mate is the biggest dissapointment to me…

Comment by Roadiepig Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 10:56 am
About the only reason I still pay any attention to Quinn’s pronouncements is I keep waiting for one of his spokespersons to finally get fed up and have a public meltdown where they go out in a blaze of glory and proclaim whatever they are reading at the moment to be a bunch of BS.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 11:17 am
I, for one, am perfectly happy to believe that this whole change of location was as perfectly innocent as Anderson says, just handled with the gross incompetence that this administration has demonstrated every day for years. I do consider the fact that this incomepetence continues unabated as far more damning than one case of dodging confrontation.

Comment by Anonymice Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 11:25 am
This whole business of Quinn claiming to be a person of honesty and integrity has been proven bogus so many times, it’s bizarre to see people still saying this.

Comment by Crime Fighter Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 11:52 am
“You wouldn’t have made new friends by meeting the protesters eye-to-eye, but you would at least have tried to earn their respect.”

Who writes this stuff? More importantly, who believes it?
There is nothing to gain by speaking to people who stand to lose their jobs because of your decision. There will be no rationality, no engendering of respect, no understanding by the soon-to-be unemployed.
The only people who gain from such an event are paid media, opposing politicos and the bodyguards whose hourly rate probably escalates with the threat potential.
It’s all about re-election and unsophisticated voters. The Governor played this well.

Comment by Cook County Commoner Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 12:27 pm
For those not yet aware–Quinn’s actions show his true colors in everyway possible. He’s a self-serving hypocrite.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 12:28 pm
PQ made a mistake in judgment. It’s not his only one. I judge our pols by the totality of their record, and his remains positive overall. By the way, I have made my share of mistakes, some that I regret.

Comment by James Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 12:28 pm
Can anyone verify that there was as issue with the Farm Bureau feed? And the new location was better? Pure BS!
Typical Quinn, slash and run! Slash southern Illinois and run back to Chicago to hide!

Comment by Rusty618 Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 1:02 pm
Crime Fighter,

Perception is reality …

For Quinn, it’s all about the public image that has been built up over the years.

Barring a federal conviction, I expect Quinn will continue to have a shiny image for years.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 1:07 pm
I think it takes a great deal of nerve for any Republican lawmaker to complain that the governor is making budget cuts in some areas to ensure that taxpayers get the most bang for their buck.

We seem to have confused the Illinois Department of Corrections with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

IDOC’s mission is not job creation.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 2:40 pm
Let’s see what happens with the fair this year. I would guess Pat will have more pressing things to do than spend time in Southern Illinois with a bunch of unsophisticated hicks like us.

Comment by Nieva Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 3:12 pm
- Quinn is a spineless, gutless, coward and I dare him to show his face south of I-70 again -

As opposed to the epitome of courage you are as an anonymous commenter issuing threats to an elected official and ad hominem attacks on an employee. I hope your buddies are impressed with what a tough guy you are.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 5:53 pm
The Murray Parents Association has asked Gov.Quinn literally hundreds of times to come to Centralia, meet the people at the center, and talk with us.We’d be THRILLED to set up a meeting with him…..but he’s never shown up….the question is WHY? If he really believed in his decision he’d have the courage to come and explain it to us. Politics!!!!!!

Comment by Rita Winkeler Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 6:52 pm
i was at the farm house around 12:30 PM and was informed that the press converse would be held a few miles away, dont know why others did not know, it was not told to me in private, but in front a group of people. i agree people can protest, but i truly believe the location was not moved at all, it was planned to at the location that it took place

Comment by 13th Wednesday, Jul 18, 12 @ 9:00 pm
What a cowardly man. Dear Brooke: You sound nice and all, but have courage and quit lying for a man who is quickly degenerating into a repulsive human being. Why can’t the Republicans have common sense and run a moderate against some of these guys?

Comment by Flan Thursday, Jul 19, 12 @ 7:41 am