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* One of Gov. Pat Quinn’s next decisions involves his official portrait…
Governor Quinn still has time to decide if he’ll have his portrait hanging in the Capitol building.
It’s around this time governors leaving office will usually start planning to leave their mark, which is a portrait in the Capitol building. But, it comes at a hefty price.
Officials tell us the paintings cost around $20,000.
The paintings of Illinois’ former leaders hang on the second floor of the building, in “The Hall of Governors.”
* But…
In 1994, when Quinn was state treasurer, he held a press conference to mock then-Senate President James “Pate” Philip for commissioning an $8,676 portrait that now hangs in the Senate chambers.
Philip, who left state government in 2003, ignored Quinn’s call to reimburse the state for the painting and his portrait remains in its place in the President’s Gallery overlooking the room where senators cast their votes.
If he does sit for the portrait, I’m assuming it won’t be state financed. Right, governor?
*** UPDATE *** The governor’s press secretary just told me that Quinn will use “private funds” for the portrait.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:06 am
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Will they leave a blank spot between for the impeached Blagojevich? Maybe paint some prison bars?
Comment by Hoping for Rational Thought Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:09 am
It’s part of history the Governor’s wall, I think they all should have their portraits, regardless. It’s history.
Comment by 3rd Generation Chicago Native Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:13 am
Wonder if the campaign fund has any money left in it, if not I would give $20 for a Quinn painting fund…
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:15 am
Not sure the Speaker or Senate President rate the same treatment as the Governor.
Governors’ portraits are a decent use of dollars to keep history on view in the “people’s” Capitol building — which is visited by many thousands each year.
Comment by walker Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:15 am
Ok, it is funny that Pate passed on the tab to taxpayers. So much for the GOP’s view of the budget.
I’m a big believer in the value of tradition, but $20,000 seems steep no matter who pays. Why not move into the 21st century and have a good photographer do it?
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:19 am
I thought you meant city hall! I bet if Quinn asked people to download his petition for mayor, sign it, notarize it and bring it to a rally at the Daley plaza on Friday he would have enough signatures to file for mayor of Chicago and win. As I am sure you know being mayor of Chicago is the most important job in the world and should be held by someone who understands that.
Comment by William j Kelly Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:20 am
Take a picture and use the portrait effect on the photo editing program.
Now for location, I’d suggest the newly renovated men’s room. Seems appropriate after the 12 Blago/Quinn years.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:21 am
Funny thing about being a gadfly and “calling out” people for … cheap … political points, at some point, you may face your own hypocrisy too.
To all that,
Pate was the Senate President, there is a reason they do the portraits; to acknowledge the history, and to keep front and center the men and women before them.
I waffle back and forth on Rod and his lack of a portrait. Even Nixon has a portrait, and while Rod was removed, the Office itself was not vacant for 6 years…it’s just too soon maybe(?)
As for Quinn, normally this is such a no-brainer, but Quinn never makes it easy on himself or others. I guess the use of private funds is his way to seem less hypocritical, or he could admit he was a Dope, and just have the funds allocated, but I doubt that will be the avenue.
You talk yourself into a corner, no one to blame but you.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:21 am
Governors need to be in the Hall of Governors. Yes, even Blago. Speakers/Presidents do not need to be in the chambers.
Comment by UISer Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:22 am
https://www.kickstarter.com/start
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:22 am
If he’s still in a snit about it, use campaign funds or raise the money privately. It’s not that much in the grand scheme of things.
Beats an animatronic Pat Quinn ala the Hall of Presidents at Disney World giving a perpetual speech loaded with references to “Land of Lincoln,” “Jobs Governor” and “Soy Boy.”
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:26 am
Since Rauner doesn’t plan on taking the salary for governor, there should be enough available for Quinn’s portrait, right?
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:28 am
This sort of quibbling about money is absurd. The Governor is the Governor.
Also, it will minimize the absence of Blagojevich if Quinn skips having a portrait placed.
Maybe Quinn can crowdsource the funding.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:30 am
Is it true that the General Assembly banned the display of a Blagojevich portrait in the Capitol?
A gap between Ryan and Quinn?
I always thought that it was amusing that George Ryan was pictured with a glass candy dish or cookie jar shaped like the Capitol building. Lol.
Comment by Under Further Review Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:32 am
If only we could commission Salvador Dali for this one…lol.
He’s a Governor. He gets a painting. He saved more money in bread and circuses over the years than any other I’d wager. He belongs up there. He served.
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:34 am
Pat has many options: do a portrait and blame the artist for insisting; have it done and pay for it himself (”naa”); don’t have one and be consistent on principle; don’t do it and hope the humility shown will at least be something memorable In an otherwise crummy governorship.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:39 am
It’s our State history. Do the portrait and let’s move on to important things.
Comment by FormerParatrooper Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:39 am
One thing I think we can all agree on, if Gov. Quinn refuses to sit for the portrait, Roland Burris would be happy to fill in the space.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:45 am
Quinn was wrong to take a stand against portraits back then, and he would be wrong to take a stand against one today.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:48 am
Seriously — he should have Cameron Schilling do his portrait. Very fitting, in so many ways.
Comment by Soccermom Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:54 am
They can take photographs today and make them look like portraits for a lot less than $20,000. He could go that route and let the people know that he is still a crusader saving them money. That way he wouldn’t have to think about the issue 24/7.
Comment by Kerfuffle Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 11:59 am
In any other state, that makes sense. But this is Illinois.
He’ll probably order two, give the contract to a buddy, and one will wind up mysteriously hanging on the wall at his home.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:01 pm
An 8X10 glossy will do.
Comment by Hickory Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:05 pm
Put up Blago’s mugshot in place of the blank spot on the wall.
Comment by Concerned Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:12 pm
As a lesson in civility the State should pay for a Quinn portrait. Like him or not, he has made a mark in Springfield. Now on to Chicago. Is it too late for him to file for Mayor? He would be tough to beat.
Comment by Keyser Soze Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:13 pm
This is the perfect bookend to his political career.
A == controversy == of his own making that, in the long run, has little to do with the clear options before him but a lot to do with his own incompetence, proclivity towards political stunts or general lack of prescience.
That 1994 press conference probably seemed like a good idea at the time. Just like the idea to withhold legislative salaries, to postpone a vote on the minimum wage, or any number of additional examples.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:27 pm
You can’t erase history. Some traditions have value. Portraits of Quinn and Blagojevich should be in that hall.
Comment by Louis G Atsaves Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:30 pm
Keyser, to answer your question, Quinn could be on the ballot for mayor if a draft Quinn website went up and 12,500 people downloaded his petition and turned them in by Friday. If anybody could make that happen it would be Quinn.
Comment by William j Kelly Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:38 pm
Quinn was right to take a stand against expensive portraits back then, and he is right to take a stand against a government financed portrait today. I’m glad to hear that Quinn will use private funds for his portrait in the “Hall of Governors” at the state capitol.
Comment by Enviro Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:38 pm
Agree with Concerned -put up Blago’s mugshot. Cameras weren’t yet being used when the early pictures went up-Why not switch to a photograph instead of a painting?
Comment by downsttate commissioner Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:45 pm
To the update, it is good to see that he will have his portrait in place, regardless of how it is funded.
He belongs there. Every Governor does, including Blago, unfortunately.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 12:55 pm
William Kelly that would for sure eliminate you
Comment by Joe Maddon Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 1:27 pm
How ’bout a large selfie on a jumbotron?
Comment by D.P.Gumby Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 1:53 pm
A nice photo of Bozo the Clown would suffice for either Rod or PQ.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 2:01 pm
Kinda mean Artie A.
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 2:08 pm
I agree with those who said a professional photograph portrait should be used instead of an oil portrait. In fact, that would be a great ongoing trend to start with Quinn on the governors’ wall–keeping the tradition alive with realism and quality of presentation, but at a much lower cost.
Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 2:21 pm
Private funds, not Public - that means they are using countrefeit bills.
Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 2:40 pm
Quinn has earned his place in the hall of governors. While I do not always agree with what he has done (I have never agreed with anyone all the time), He served honorably as Governor of Illinois. I wish the best for him in the future.
I also believe Blago’s picture should be up there as well. While I believe he did not serve honorably, he was elected not once, but twice- even though he was under federal investigation and it was reasonable to believe he did what they were looking at. His should be a respectable portrait as well even if when we look at it, we are reminded of why he was removed from office. It is not about anything more than being honest about our history. His should also be paid for with private funds. All future Governors portraits should be paid for with private funds.
Comment by Richard Afflis Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 2:47 pm
Quinn is entitled to have his portrait made. Why can’t we just hang his portrait where it belongs with the others and move on with making IL a better place ? geeez already.
Comment by ThatGirl Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 2:48 pm
The portrait has traditionally been paid out of the transition approp. Of course this year there appears to be no transition approp
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 2:49 pm
Get the guy the drew “Squeezy” the pension snake to draw a pic of the outgoing Gov. !!!!
Comment by Downstate Greg Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 4:13 pm
=== Get the guy the drew “Squeezy” the pension snake to draw a pic of the outgoing Gov. !!!! ===
He used a Disney character as a model. The only cartoon character I can think of is the bad guy in the Smurfs cartoons.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 4:21 pm
I always thought it was trippy that the artist for Ryan’s portrait got away with his artistic commentary with the crystal dome. How’d that happen?
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 18, 14 @ 7:21 pm