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* What do you admire most about Gov. Pat Quinn’s years in office?

No snark, please.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:26 pm

Comments

His genuine care and commitment to veterans, which really has been there his whole life.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:30 pm
The Governor was accessible — he would take time for meetings and appearances.

Comment by anon Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:30 pm
Seconded:

He made the full pension payment according to the current Pension Ramp law schedule.

Comment by Bill White Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:30 pm
He signed the legislation eliminating the general assembly scholarships.

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:32 pm
Making the pension payments.

Also, bringing out the best in the capfax community!

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:35 pm
In his own mind he honestly tried to do the best he could.

Comment by Federalist Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:38 pm
Governor Quinn’s commitment to Veterans.

Did it way before it was noticed, its who he is at his core.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:39 pm
Pension payments, SB1 and telling the truth about taxes.

Comment by MrGrassroots Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:40 pm
Quinn restored honesty and integrity to the office, I bet the voters will start feeling some serious buyers remorse sooner than they think.

Comment by William j Kelly Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:41 pm
Restarting the pension payments. Future guvs could renege again, but it’ll probably be harder politically and more voters will understand the implications (I hope).

Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:41 pm
“What do you admire most about Gov. Pat Quinn’s years in office?”

Twice I approached Pat at meet-n-greet events to say a single sentence to him about semi-esoteric issues important to me. Both times, he surprised me by engaging in extended, thoughtful conversations about those issues.

In my experience, most pols will happily move on to the next handshake as soon as you give them a chance. Pat didn’t.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM (@MisterJayEm) Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:42 pm
Veterans, death penalty and marriage equality.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:44 pm
For me it’s a tie between his commitment to veterans and the military and his ability to not buckle under outside pressure.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:45 pm
He tried.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:45 pm
He put forth an honest budget proposal last spring which the legislature unfortunately punted and passed a faux budget. Probably did more to defeat him than anything else. But he was forthright and honest. And, although memories around Sfld are short, two years from now he people will be saying, “what if we had re-elected the honest guy”.

Comment by Honest Abe Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:46 pm
His honesty

Comment by Secretariat Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:48 pm
His genuine humanity.

Comment by Percival Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:51 pm
Having he courage to suggest keeping the 5% income tax. And making the pension payments, as a number of others have remarked.

Comment by UIC Guy Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:03 pm
From a NW Illinois regional perspective, Governor Quinn supported one of our region’s number one priorities with enthusiasm — the construction of the new WIU-QC Riverfront Campus that will help transform this region for decades.

Comment by Porter McNeil Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:05 pm
He sincerely tried to the best for state.

Comment by Montrose Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:06 pm
He refused to give in to his own Church and signed marriage equality for gays into law.

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:09 pm
He was the Gerald Ford after Rod’s Nixon. And that’s not the worst legacy.

Comment by south side Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:10 pm
His first 90 days in office helped to be a balm for the aftermath of two governors in a row who were crooks. We finally had an honest governor for the first time in years.

Comment by Niles Township Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:15 pm
Honesty, 2011 Illinois state pension reform, the 5% state income tax, making pension payments every year

Comment by Enviro Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:16 pm
He was probably the best friend of the neglected south suburbs in the last 40 years.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:21 pm
His humble manner, and his genuine smile.

Comment by John A Logan Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:22 pm
Pension payments - I really don’t think he got enough credit for taking that medicine budget after budget (with a side note that Rauner’s “ohmygosh we had no idea it was this bad!” is only going to last so long, sir. We all knew what was happening under Blago, and Quinn did the right thing there, though he took heat from everyone for what it did to the budgets.)

Abolishing the death penalty, marriage equality, moving away from developmental centers, veterans, good work to stabilize the economy through IHDA and IDES programs.

I think for the first post-ramp governor that actually tried to deal squarely with the pensions/budget and a national recession, he did a pretty good job. I guess we’ll see if Rauner can find one, but it doesn’t seem like there’s a magic bullet to get us out of this mess that years and years of people have gotten us into - it’s just a lot of day by day, inch by inch stuff. Pat Quinn is a worker, not just a stuffed shirt like the guys we had - and, I fear, the one we just elected.

Which is all to say, what I admire is that I think he did the best he could with an awfully crappy hand - while still making it clear that he cared about those that were struggling in any number of ways.

Comment by haverford Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:23 pm
He is a genuine person and anyone who got to spend any time with him knows his commitment to Illinois. It is not easy being the bad guy all the time but I honestly think he did the best he could with the resources he had.

Comment by WOW Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:23 pm
You know, first thing that came to my mind was also Veterans. However, as someone pointed out, he was all that before being Governor. That trait speaks to the man, not the job. So, having said that, which I admire about the man PQ, I’m echoing VM’s sentiment: he tried. I think he really did. He just wasn’t very good at it.

Comment by Westward Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:25 pm
Pat Quinn has been a good man for Illinois for many years. From his part in creating the Citizens Utility Board (remember divestiture, and picking your long distance carrier) to his term as governor.

Comment by Del Clinkton Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:26 pm
Behaving like a genuine grown-up when he took office six years ago, speaking forthrightly about the steps that needed to be taken to begin cleaning up the fiscal mess left behind by Sham Man Rod Blagojevich. If memory serves me, Quinn delivered his first major budget address within six or eight weeks of taking the oath, and he had to know that much of the bipartisan goodwill from his first days in office would be threatened by his proposal to raise taxes and pay down the state’s debt. Yet he had the courage and good sense to take that risk. Though I ended up resenting Quinn for his approach to state pensions, my admiration for his better traits — his honesty, integrity, lack of pretension, general decency — is not diminished. I wish him all the best as he moves forward with his life, and I’m grateful for his service.

Comment by Steve Downstate Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:27 pm
As many others have said, his commitment to veterans and their families.

Comment by The Colossus of Roads Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:28 pm
He stepped into a bad situation and did the best he could.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:29 pm
He wasn’t full of himself. He wasn’t interested in the trappings of the office.

Comment by Sir Reel Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:32 pm
Honest, sober budget proposals, full penson payments, capitol bill, paying down old bills, expanded Medicaid, death penalty abolition, same sex marriage.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:33 pm
I think, to his credit, he loved every square inch of this state.

I also think he believed that he always tried to do the right thing for the right reasons. I may not have thought so, but I am pretty sure he did.

He showed admirable and true grit on numerous occasions. Again, I may not have agreed, but the guy had moxie.

And when he smiled, he meant it.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:33 pm
He loved the White Sox and sat with the regular folks!

Comment by 4 percent Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:38 pm
I think it he genuinely gave it his best shot and cared deeply about what he was going.

I also agree with what Rich posted, well said “I think, to his credit, he loved every square inch of this state.”

Comment by Ahoy! Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:39 pm
I think he really did care about the people of the state.

Comment by fisher Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:45 pm
“Known” him from his gadfly days. I certainly didn’t agree with all his views, but his honesty, decency and genuine love for the entire state sure made him stand out among other politicians and political types–especially to this Southern Ill-born hillbilly who has made Chicago home for perhaps too long. I will miss Pat.

Comment by vise77 Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:48 pm
He talked about his plans instead of having secret ones that would be revealed at some secret time. Also, making pension payments.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:48 pm
That we had a Governor who didn’t come from money, or a political dynasty, wasn’t terribly charismatic or manipulative, and had, at best, an uneasy truce with any machine. That a guy like that could get elected always spoke well of our state.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:51 pm
I was always impressed after the budget address that he’d come and talk with us at GOMB in the Stratton. Very personable, and appreciated the work that had been done.

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:02 pm
He took over under horrible circumstances and somehow, through his earnestness and his penchant for symbolism, managed to heal some pretty serious wounds caused by the two jailed governors who preceded him to office.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:02 pm
Abolishing the death penalty in particular and criminal justice reform in general.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:03 pm
As others have pointed out his commitment to vets and his attendance at services for our military who died in service to our country speaks volumns as to his character as a person. As far as his time as governor no one could doubt that he was honest, worked hard at being governor and really tried to do what he saw as the right thing for the betterment of our state.

Comment by West Side the Best Side Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:04 pm
Decent man, paid the pension, genuine concern for veterans especially disabled veterans, he was an everyman kind of guy.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:04 pm
A little thing: When he took office, he took the governor’s name off the welcome signs on the interstate highways and substituted “The people of Illinois …”

Comment by olddog Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:08 pm
===A little thing: When he took office, he took the governor’s name off ===

Yeah.

For Statehouse types, though, there’s an even better story.

The second floor entrance next to the Senate’s elevators had a sign that read:” Governor’s Office Do Not Enter,” during the RRB days.

When Quinn was sworn in, he had the sign changed to “Governor’s Office, Please Come In.”

That was a huge signal of change.

Of course, they eventually changed the sign because people were randomly wandering through staff offices. But the new sign directed folks to check in through another door.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:11 pm
Not once did I ever wonder if he was doing something to enrich or benefit himself personally. I wondered if he was doing things to help him politically, or to enrich his friends and supporters, but never himself. The thought never even crossed my mind.

Comment by Not it Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:13 pm
After years of being a political gadfly, he came to know his limitations in office. I agree with little of his policies, but I have no doubt that he was sincere in thinking they had merit for the people of Illinois.

Also, he may have been the Governor who was least interested in his “payoffs” once he left office . Thompson laid the groundwork for politically connected legal work, Edgar set the table for fat consulting fees and “lecturer” deals at the state university to line his pockets from taxpayers dollars. Ryan, well we came to know what he was all about. Blago? He was looking to cash in from day one.

I believe Quinn honestly wasn’t looking to feather his bed using gubernatorial power. Of course the jury’s still out on that, but I believe that was perhaps his most unique positive quality.

Comment by Arizona Bob Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:13 pm
The pension payments, explaining budge options, SSM, vets, willing to stick with ideas he knew would create opposition heat.

Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:19 pm
He came in under a difficult situation and made the most of it — no one expected him to get reelected in 2010 — and he was victorious — he probably lost because he doesnt play the political game well — he is true to his belief systems and it has served him well — i wish him the best in all his future plans — thanks Gov. Quinn for the service to the people.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:24 pm
Nursing home reform - after 30 years of the nursing home industry ‘owning’ both sides of the aisle and the Governor’s Office, Quinn took ahold of the nursing home reform issue and wouldn’t let go until it was passed through a fairly reluctant legislature. One of the few times he seemed engaged on legislation.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:24 pm
His consistency

Comment by Obama's Puppy Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:34 pm
Though my post was overlong, I forgot to give a shout out to working through the backlog of the clemency petitions. Both Quinn and the team that worked on that deserve a lot of credit for giving consideration to as many cases as they could. Those folks worked Saturday, holidays to clear those petitions from the Blago purgatory. I sincerely hope Rauner’s team is as serious to finish the work Quinn finished a good deal of there.

Comment by haverford Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:35 pm
As a gay man, I will always thank Governor Quinn for his support, with others, for marriage equality. But my husband and I both think that, in general, Governor Quinn is a good man, a politician who had a heart and manners. Just yesterday I saw a picture of him standing in his kitchen - it wasn’t a palace by any means, but it was modest and workable. We wish Governor Quinn the best in his future.

Comment by Christopher Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:36 pm
When we needed a tax increase he had the guts to do it. He must have known that it would cost him votes, but it was the right thing.

That took courage.

Comment by Gooner Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:37 pm
I wasn’t a big PQ fan but at least he didn’t become regal once he assumed the Office to which he sought for so many years. For the most part he didn’t succumb to the trappings that a Governor has access to. I appreciated that as a positive change from past occupants of the office.

Comment by Stones Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:38 pm
He is an enthusiastic supporter of carshare programs.

Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:41 pm
He took on the issue of moving people out state DD and MH Centers and did so knowing full well the unions, local lawmakers and community groups would hate him for it. But he did it anyway and paid the price for doing so. 50 years from now, people will wonder why Illinois kept those places open so long.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:46 pm
How he attended the funerals of service men and women without press release, or any disclosurenof his attendance

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:47 pm
NOT ONE person above mentioned his compassion towards the chronic and terminally ill patients of Illinois, by signing and pushing HB1 towards implementation, he will allow sick folks safe affordable access to medicinal cannabis, a product that greatly improves their quality of life. Many of these patients would otherwise be sentenced to a life (however short) of dangerous pharmaceutical products. Come on Governor, issue the permits to allow this program to not only begin, but prove successful!!!!

Comment by mike graham Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:47 pm
Being financially responsible by making the pension payment, doing honest budgets, and talking about the need for increased revenue when campaigning. Once I started thinking and reading the comments, I was surprised how many good things there were to choose from and had a hard time settling on one.

Comment by Earnest Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 3:58 pm
I’ve worked with a number of Governor’s appointees in various agencies, and I will say the proportion of hacks (at least for the agencies I’ve worked with) dropped precipitously. For example, you had guys running the international trade program who actually new something about international trade programs rather than wanting the position so they could travel the world on the State’s dime.

He could also be really humble. I once saw him travel out of State with no entourage, little to no security, and take regular transportation like everybody else. And he did it not to score political points, but rather because it was no big deal.

Comment by Gurnge Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 4:06 pm
Every time you saw him while he was in office it looked like it was the best day of his life. No matter what was going on politically he always seemed to love the state and being governor.

I wish him the best. As he looks back, I hope he finds a way to enjoy the fact that he was governor rather than lament his loss.

Comment by MLB #45 Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 4:10 pm
His willingness to step into a bad situation after Blagojevich went down in flames. It was a lot like Gerald Ford being willing to follow Nixon or Rauner still being willing to follow after Quinn as “the cleanup committee”. It is always intimidating to have to serve as the next captain of a ship when the previous ship’s captain was viewed as a Jonah.

Comment by Rowdy Yates Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 4:11 pm
He really tried, despite some overwhelming obstacles, to make Illinois a better state.

Comment by Bluefish Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 4:12 pm
It cost him the election, but he tackled the issues every one of his predecessors had kicked down the road. In return, BR villainized him for it.

Comment by QCLib Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 4:22 pm
Not the first to say this, but I was impressed that he had the guts to campaign for the Office of Governor while advocating for an income tax increase.

Comment by SAP Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 4:25 pm
@anonymous:

And even more ironic that he lost to guy who made his billions on nursing homes.

Comment by Del Clinkton Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 4:26 pm
His sincere respect for Veterans. While many politicians parrot the lines thanking veterans, PQ struck me as one of the few who were genuine. I didn’t agree with him on most issues, but I respect him.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 4:43 pm
Easy: MAKING THE FULL PENSION PAYMENTS! (sorry about shouting).
Also being a grown-up in acknowledging our budget problems. which ultimately cost him the election, because voters don’t want to hear the truth about bad news; they want tax cuts and rainbows, and that’s what Rauner promised.

Comment by Filmmaker Professor Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 5:01 pm
I’ve known PQ from a distance for over 30 years. He always had his priorities in order and was faithful to his principals. I commend him for that.

When he came to my small town in Southern Illinois to honor a fallen Marine ( without notice or fanfare ) says it all.

Comment by illini Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 5:09 pm
The fact that people don’t have to think very hard to come up with something they admire about him. Even if they think he was a zero as governor.

Comment by Excessively Rabid Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 5:33 pm
I agree with what folks have said above, and I want to second Gurnge’s appreciation for the type of people PQ brought into his administration. Certainly, not everyone was perfect, but those with whom I worked (primarily in education, pension, legislative, and budget-related areas) were sincere, intelligent, humble, respectful, thoughtful, funny, and kind. These folks–like those whom I encountered in the Lt Gov’s office–asked good questions, made good suggestions, and helped agencies to work better together. They really care about the ability of government to provide good, honest service. They did their jobs with refreshingly little arrogance and, I think, a genuine care for the people they were serving. No, he wasn’t always successful in moving his agenda through the legislature, but that’s not all there is to the Gov’s role. Surely a lot of what I’m praising in his employees was because of the tone at the top. PQ seems to really mean the stuff he’s said about the importance of governing “with a servant’s heart.”

Comment by Reluctant Optimist Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 5:44 pm
That it’s FINALLY ENDED!

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 5:45 pm
That it’s FINALLY ENDED!

Comment by Independent Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 5:46 pm
Criminal justice reform. He supported and initiated a lot of deep structural changes and Second Chance reforms, for which he never took or received enough credit.

Comment by Dan Bureaucrat Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 6:06 pm
That Pat Quinn always did what he thought was best for the citizens of Illinois, pretty much regardless of the personal or political cost of his actions. Our to put it in simple terms: he cared.

I’m sure State historians in 10 or 20 years will judge him to have been one of Illinois’ better Governors … not necessarily a great one, but a pretty good one, especially when you consider the issues and problems he inherited.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 6:15 pm
Retiree Healthcare premiums. Took courage and was right.

Comment by Buck Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 6:49 pm
Expansion of healthcare, marriage equality, and at the end of the day how much he cares for the great State of Illinois

Comment by Anon3 Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 6:52 pm
Appreciate it, wonderful goods people. I do know Raj
Napal who had previously been a very good lawyer I understand, had earned a large number of cases doing the job extremely tough.
Not only that may be the premier law firm around Quebec.

Comment by Raj Napal Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 7:02 pm
He is a genuinely good person.

Comment by B4L Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 7:23 pm
I’m amazed that he was actually was elected for governor once upon a time.

Comment by forwhatitsworth Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 8:28 pm
I’m amazed that he was actually elected for governor once upon a time.

Comment by forwhatitsworth Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 8:29 pm
His presence, without fanfare and under the radar of the local media at veteran’s funerals. He did it for the right reason - because HE CARED! Also, his support for grass roots activism - walking with Granny D for political campaign reform. Very admirable. But its too bad that the populist I have admired since the days of the Coalition for Political Honesty morphed into someone I barely recognized. Springfield will do that to the best person. And he DID help to create CUB and supported alternative energy. The cutback amendment was a huge mistake though. Its too bad that he couldn’t seem to engender cooperation and respect. He deserved more respect than he received, but should have been better to State employees and their pensions - crisis or no. Legislators raided their pensions and employees shouldn’t be left holding an empty bag for the legislators’ failure to properly fund the pensions and the budget and programs. He had a hard road to walk after Blago and history will be kinder to him in the end I believe.

Comment by Northern Light Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 8:35 pm
I admire Governor Pat Quinn for being the most honest and decent governor of Illinois since Adlai Stevenson. He has a good heart and really cared for the people he served.

Comment by Enviro Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 9:20 pm
Rich - please save this and post it one year from Monday with the question, “did we make the right decision a year ago?”. It will be a fun exercise.

Comment by Filmmaker Professor Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:57 pm
Quinn told us the truth about state finances — before his elections. For that he deserves a profile in courage.

Comment by anon Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 4:31 am
I did not know the man in any capacity, but I believe what he did that most benefitted the people of the State, was to restore honor to the office. While there is plenty to nitpick (as is always the case), he does not leave office under criminal investigation, so he allows future Governor’s to (hopefully) rebuild some trust with the people.

Comment by LaJuice Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 6:34 am
Like others have said, I don’t agree with everything Quinn has done in the last three decades, but I always respected him for his honesty. Illinois seems to be lacking in politicians with that characteristic so he was a breath of fresh air. It’s ironic that a week after being elected the new governor proclaimed that he had no idea Illinois was in this bad of financial shape. It sounded like Jim Thompson at his best. Good luck, Pat. We could use more like you.

Comment by nothingsurprisesme Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 7:21 am
He did his best with what he had…Let’s remember one thing folks, Rauner was elected by default (anti-Quinn votes) not that the electorate liked him or anything.

Comment by 75th district Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 8:06 am
I liked how Gov. Quinn was down to earth and would do things like fly coach, carrying his own luggage. We live in a time of great wealth disparity and a federal tax code that caters heavily to the wealthy. Gov. Quinn did not spend his time in office to do any of that. I also appreciate that he signed the Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act and hope that his Administration completes the awarding of licenses before the new Governor is sworn into office.

Comment by FortyFour Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 8:06 am