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End in sight

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Illinois

* I told subscribers about this development a few weeks ago…

Governor Pat Quinn is expected to fill a couple of empty seats on the board of trustees for Southern Illinois University. Quinn is reportedly expected to name former Illinois National Guard chief Randal Thomas and former SIUE history professor Shirley Portwood as early as today. The Illinois Senate rejected three of Quinn’s earlier appointees who were expected to support the naming of trustee Roger Herrin as board chairman.

Herrin has clashed repeatedly with SIU President Glenn Poshard. Controversy has surrounded the board recently, as three members with ties to Edwardsville - Edwardsville School District Superintendent Ed Hightower, Alton attorney John Simmons, and businessman Mark Hinrichs of O’Fallon - were not retained by Quinn in February.

This was the most easily avoidable problem Quinn has ever created for himself. All he had to do was work with the Senate from the beginning. He refused to even meet with Senators.

So, not only did Quinn damage himself in the Senate, he hurt himself politically in the Metro East, which views SIU-E as its crown jewel. I’ll never understand this as long as I live.

* More…

State Sen. Bill Haine, D-Alton, praised the nominees, saying he worked with the governor to find new members after threatening to push legislation through the Senate that would have limited who Quinn could have appointed.

“I appreciate very much the governor engaging in a colloquy with us in the legislature,” Haine said.

State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, who represents the university’s Carbondale campus, said he is anxiously awaiting Quinn’s pick to fill the final vacancy on the board.

“SIU-Carbondale is the most important entity in my district. If it succeeds, then Carbondale succeeds. And it has struggled lately,” Luechtefeld said. “We have to get this thing fixed. The board has to work with the administration. The sooner that happens the better.”

Thomas and Portwood are expected to join the board at its meeting on Wednesday.

Haine praised the nominees because his chamber’s chief of staff is the one who first floated the idea. That chief of staff, by the way, used to work for Glenn Poshard as his legislative liaison - just one more reason why this was a stupid, stupid move by Quinn.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 3, 13 @ 9:17 am

Comments

Totally agree. This makes no sense. Only explanation is that it was a power play because “I am the Governor!”.

Comment by WizzardOfOzzie Friday, May 3, 13 @ 9:20 am
This says so much about Quinn

—
All he had to do was work with the Senate from the beginning. He refused to even meet with Senators.
—

Think about that. You are the supposed to be the executive. You are supposed to lead from the front and try to get people to do what you think is best.

Whether its this, or on pensions or gun control… refusing to meet with anyone (even someone you disagree with) isnt leadership. Maybe in Chicago it is… but here you are running a state, not a one-party, get in line City/County.

Comment by RonOglesby Friday, May 3, 13 @ 9:21 am
RO - why in the world must you view everything through a Chicago/downstate lens? You can bet your bottom dollar that Emanuel and his staff and Preckwinkle and her staff meet with aldermen/commissioners all the time. The way you look all powerful is to always win. And the way you always win is to do the legwork and know what it takes to win. Look at the House passage of their version of SB1. If you think that passed simply because Madigan said so, how do you explain the 20+ Republican votes? And where is Madigan from? - oh yeah, Chicago.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 3, 13 @ 9:40 am
these universities are always making news on this blog for their patronage crises not the success they’re having in the educational mission. another reason for the need for change.

Comment by shore Friday, May 3, 13 @ 9:42 am
Anonymous.

I am not viewing, your own lens is applying that. I commented on his lack of ability to meet with those that disagree with him on pretty much any major (and in some cases minor) issues.

Now in Chicago, we have a history of Mayors and other pols bullying people. They often refuse to meet with those that disagree with them and really dont need to as a single party/system pretty much runs everything.

running the entire state is different. Quinn should know that. But he is part of the Chicago scene and therefor has learned and adopted its methods.

Sorry if you cant see that.

BTW I am not from downstate, I grew up in the City and now live in the burbs. Hell I’m neve even south of I80.

Comment by RonOglesby Friday, May 3, 13 @ 9:43 am
I am grieved that Quinn was once again weighed, measured, and found wanting. Glen Poshard needs to step aside, and I had hoped that that might finally be accomplished. Alas, the continued decline of SIUC is assured.

Comment by John A Logan Friday, May 3, 13 @ 9:44 am
This was just bone-headed on Quinn’s part from the get-go. And who is he antagonizing? A couple of the only downstate counties he won vs. Brady–St. Clair and Jackson.

Unbelievable.

Comment by Ray del Camino Friday, May 3, 13 @ 9:47 am
If the Illinois Supreme Court rules this unconstitutional bill constitutional, what are the chances it will be taken up by the US Supreme Court? Are there instances when the US SC overrules the State SC in cases such as this - that is, when it violates the State constitution, but for ‘exceptional’ reasons like Madigan outlined at the beginning of the bill?

Comment by Jechislo Friday, May 3, 13 @ 9:52 am
Sorry - wrong thread.

Comment by Jechislo Friday, May 3, 13 @ 9:52 am
@Jechislo

Wrong post?

Comment by RonOglesby Friday, May 3, 13 @ 9:53 am
@Jechislo

too many interesting things to read here.

Comment by RonOglesby Friday, May 3, 13 @ 9:53 am
really too bad that madigan and rich miller are putting down henry bayer.henry is a good man,just doing his job.want to talk about stalling tactics rich? lets talk about madigan then.

Comment by nikki Friday, May 3, 13 @ 10:00 am
Why is there so little interest in another state university that is in a state of crisis? Chicago State University has been constantly in the news media in Chicago, largely negative coverage about the management of Emil Jones U., but it seldom rates a mention here while SIU gets a considerable amount of attention. Just wondering.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 3, 13 @ 10:01 am
===largely negative coverage about the management of===

It’s been noted in the subscriber section. Media coverage has been way off the mark, I think.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, May 3, 13 @ 10:08 am
–They often refuse to meet with those that disagree with them and really dont need to as a single party/system pretty much runs everything.–

The Chicago/Cook County Democratic machine died with Richard J. Whatever organizations there are now are duchies that come together or break apart as a matter of convenience.

And Quinn has never been a part of any power structure, although he did get some timely help last time out from Burke and Jones.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 3, 13 @ 10:09 am
=== rich miller are putting down henry bayer===

Henry’s a big boy, and I really don’t think I’m “putting him down.”

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, May 3, 13 @ 10:11 am
yes,henry is a big boy,and so are you and madigan.why dont you two act like big boys?

Comment by nikki Friday, May 3, 13 @ 1:52 pm