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Quinn issues executive orders on minimum wage, tax returns while Rauner rescinds appointments

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In an eleventh-hour flurry Monday in Chicago, Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn signed a few final bills into law, appointed friends to ceremonial posts and laid a series of political traps for incoming Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Quinn also maintained his pace of working through a large backlog of clemency petitions. But his swipes at Rauner with several executive orders on the rookie governor’s first day overshadowed the other actions — and showed just how sore Quinn remains from the bruising 2014 campaign.

Quinn, who waged a class warfare theme in his failed re-election bid, took direct aim at the refusal of the wealthy private equity executive to release his full set of income tax returns during their race. Quinn issued an executive order requiring governors to make available for public inspection individual income tax returns on or before May 1 each year.

He also issued an order to require state contractors pay at least $10 an hour — a nod to his failed quest to raise the statewide minimum wage.

The executive order is here.

* Sun-Times…

On Monday, some actions appeared directly tied to a bitter loss to his political rival.

One of Quinn’s executive orders would force future governors to make public all tax information, including supporting documents and schedules. That was an issue in the campaign as Quinn attempted to portray Rauner, a wealthy venture capitalist, as a bloodless multimillionaire who was hiding possible conflicts of interest. Rauner refused to release accompanying schedules showing details at how he paid his taxes.

As governor, Rauner would have the power to undo the order; however, it could bring political blowback and raise transparency questions.

That executive order is here.

* Rauner, however, rescinded two of Quinn’s appointments from yesterday. James Anderson’s appointment to the Civil Service Commission and former state Rep. Kim dd Buclet’s appointment to the Chicago State University Board were both withdrawn today.

…Adding… Rauner is rescinding all of Quinn’s appointments that require Senate confirmation.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 9:49 am

Comments

As Toby Keith so eleoquently sang: “There Ain’t No Right Way to Do the Wrong Thing”…

Comment by Nick Naylor Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 9:52 am
Hard to imagine with the way he has acted since November Quinn will be welcome back in public life in any fashion.

Comment by Very Fed Up Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 9:52 am
Surprised he only rescinded two.

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 9:54 am
He rescinded more than two…

Saddler’s appointment at TRS was rescinded, among others.

Comment by dave Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 9:56 am
Barclay is probably working on the executive order rescinding Quinn’s last minute EO’s. This was a pitiful and classless move by Quinn.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 9:56 am
Pat Quinn has now transitioned into his post political career of burning bridges.

Comment by pundent Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 9:57 am
Wow, losing more and more respect fro Quinn each moment. I see his true colors shining through. What’s next, will he join Westboro Baptist Church and protest some military funerals?

Comment by Wumpus Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 9:57 am
I don’t particularly care for Quinn or Rauner but PQ’s actions yesterday, particularly not attending the inauguration, were inexcusable and classless.

Comment by Stones Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 9:58 am
sad

Comment by Peoria Guy Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 9:58 am
Very dissappointing conduct from Quinn since election night. There are more constructive and less bitter ways to express displeasure about your opponent supposedly “buying” the election. I’ve always shared the conventional wisdom view of Pat Quinn — that he’s a smart, hard working, good guy who just isn’t very skilled at operating the machinery of government. I’m now questioning the “good guy” part.

Comment by Ricky J. Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:00 am
Quinn’s 15 minutes of fame are now over and he can go away…

Comment by Scott in Chicago Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:01 am
Do you suppose he is planning to run again in four years. I would’ve said no way, but then, on the national stage, there’s Mitt’s latest news.

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:03 am
Bruce should release his ENTIRE tax return. Since he is the one saying we’re not doing business the way we used to. He had a schit fit during the campaign about how corrupt the state is.

Well Brucie Boy the longer you hide this information…the more it becomes obvious that your hiding something. Your in public life now. Your not managing the taco stand with Cindy anymore.

What is it with arrogant, anti-social behavior, Governors (Rod -n- Bruce) and this state?

Comment by Del Clinkton Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:04 am
the whole things is just BAD

Comment by the one Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:04 am
I guess Quinn figures he’s got nothing to lose. I hope he finds things to do in his retirement that are more useful than this. It just comes through as bitterness.

Comment by Aldyth Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:06 am
He is now so irrelevant I have already started to forget our former governor’s name……moving on.

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:10 am
I think that if Quinn must be bitter, he should start with himself, for not inspiring enough people to vote for him.

On the other hand, if releasing full tax returns shows how much money candidates like Rauner made off of people they demonize, like state workers and unions, then I support an executive order.

Rauner is again touting how much money he made for unionized government employees, on illinois.gov. Even more shocking is his statement that strong returns on government pensions were great for taxpayers. He doesn’t call them pensions, but rather “retirement investments.”

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:11 am
I can picture nutty-professor Quinn maddeningly cursing, signing executive orders in Despicable Me fashion.

Comment by Soccertease Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:12 am
Surprised he didn’t issue an executive order requiring all governors to give away all wealth above a given level…

Heck, even Rod didn’t do that…

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:14 am
Thank you, Governor Quinn, for doing what you believe is right. Up until your last minute in office, you worked tirelessly for the people of Illinois. You can move into the next phase of your life with head held high.

Comment by Snucka Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:16 am
Pat Quinn still seems to be hung up on the fact that he lost to a billionaire. His action on income tax disclosure underscores that bitterness. The fact of the matter is that Quinn got his message out to the voters. It was simply rejected. He needs to come to grips with that and move on.

Comment by pundent Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:18 am
Very disappointed in PQ not attending inauguration but wholeheartedly like the idea of all candidates making public their tax returns. What’s that buzzward nowadays….transparency.

Comment by Product of the 60's Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:20 am
- Cassandra -

I would not be surprised at all if he runs in ‘18. Maybe he’ll eventually cool his jets and attain some level of acceptance, but for now he’s certainly acting like something has been unjustly taken from him — and he’s not done fighting over it.

A former staffer for Quinn pointed out to me that he’s not married, doesn’t have young kids or grand kids, has never been interested in making big money, and has no real hobbies like golf, fishing or world travel. In other words, he has nothing left to do in his life except watch White Sox games. He lives for politics and media exposure. I’m betting he’ll run for something.

Comment by Agreed Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:23 am
Thank God, we now have a real competent governor in place. Welcome aboard Governor Rauner!

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:24 am
when one thinks of a legacy, usualy spiteful, petty, classless are not the words one tries to envoke.

Bravo PQ you have managed to set the bar even lower

Comment by Todd Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:25 am
If Rauner had released his tax returns in the run up to the election we would not be talking about this. If Rauner is serious about “transparency”, he should release the returns. He works for the people of this state now and the people should be made aware of any conflicts of interest he may have lurking in his returns. The fact that he refuses to releases his returns tells me he has something to hide.

Comment by justthefacts Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:26 am
The entire tax return, schedules and all, not just the vanilla two page form.

Comment by justthefacts Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:28 am
I think a good question of the day might be what other executive orders did Pat Quinn issue on his last day…

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:29 am
Also reminded of a few years back when I went to go look at Quinn’s tax return and a staffer watched me the entire time and took notes…

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:29 am
If Quinn really had a pair, he would’ve shown his face in Springfield, and signed all this stuff at the Capitol. Alas, he goes out like a sulking, bitter coward. He ain’t as good as he once was

Comment by Anonymoiis Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:30 am
Transparency? really? This comes from a Quinn administration who did their best to avoid release documents under FOIA calling them “preliminary drafts”. So we should see tax records of someone who is Governor but hide documents about government business aka the people’s business. Quinn is not noble. Just another selfish politician and that is true of both parties. This is about Quinn not political parties.

Comment by Hoping for Rational Thought Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:32 am
Some of PQ’s latest appointments were to good people, including Republicans. Rauner should have taken a day or two and kept a few, rather than have an equally jerky reaction to a jerky outgoing move.

Oh well. Can’t expect perfection.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:35 am
I hope that one take away from Rauner’s decision to rescind Quinn’s “midnight appointments” is a signal that he means to clean house at Chicago State.

Comment by Under Further Review Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:40 am
petulant to the end. here is the sweet irony. pat had no problem standing by, and riding to reelection, when blago outspent and trashed judy with thousands of ads.

he doesnt realize how much he may have damaged his “brand” among those who might offer him employment–academic deans, corporate honchos, advocacy groups. who would want him on their masthead now? maybe he could start his own blog: “bitter to the end”.

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:44 am
The only mind boggling part of the whole ordeal is how Quinn got as many votes as he did. State ranked as worst run in nation by one publication after another and he wasn’t endorsed by a single major newspaper.

Comment by Very Fed Up Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:51 am
Pat Quinn ought to find a quiet retirement community in the Ozarks and call it a day.

Comment by Under Further Review Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:52 am
Rescind them all. In deference to Walk’s good approach, review all of them in the next few days and forward the legitimate ones. Don’t leave anyone hanging in the lurch who doesn’t deserve to be.

Once you’ve lost, you’re not in the state of mind to propose and demand through Executive Orders “new policy”. Pat’s hurting and it shows. Not a good way to exit.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 10:53 am
Does Rauner get to pick a director for McPier and the State Police?

Comment by Jody Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 11:00 am
Goodbye and good riddance. after his refusal to concede in a timely fashion after the election I expected nothing less than these kinds of petty appointments and executive orders from Quinn.

Now- on to the circus (set to unfold for the next 4 years) !

Comment by Roadiepig Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 11:00 am
While some of them may be good people, being a last minute appointment reeks of who you know and not getting a job based on qualifications. They may very well be qualified, but if they are Quinn did nothing but throw them under the bus

Comment by Anonymoiis Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 11:06 am
Governor Rauner,

Please! Change the leadership at the Illinois Tollway. So many non-essential personnel it borders on tragic.

Comment by Gary Hutton Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 11:13 am
I applaud Pat Quinn for listening to his conscience and not showing up for a guy who used his multi-millions to buy the Governor’s Office … who profited off the back of ill senior citizens his nursing home chain abused and working Illinois citizens he terminated as a venture capitalist only concerned about making his many portfolios in fatter. HURRAH for Pat Quinn … a total class act.

Comment by Lake County Guy Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 11:16 am
Someone once told me that Pat Quinn suffers from Irish dementia — He can’t remember anything but his grudges….

Comment by Memories Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 11:17 am
So the Gaming Board will finally be free of Jaffe?

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 11:22 am
I have only one question, one question only;

“Governor, do you plan on rescinding Mrs. Madigan and Mrs. Cullerton from the Bicentennial Jubilee? Please explain your answer completely…”

Hmm.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 11:26 am
Can Rauner put a stop the the guy who shot the 3 cops? What a disgrace

Comment by regular guy Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 11:34 am
“he has nothing left to do in his life except watch White Sox games”

How about a job with a (private/non-profit) veteran’s organization or foundation (e.g. Wounded Warrior Project)?

Comment by Secret Square Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 11:35 am
I noticed that the AP story said that Rauner can reject Quinn late term appointments because they date back to October 2013.

They date from Jan. 11, 2015 —

Does anyone know what they are talking about?

Also, I see the AP story only mentioned minority appointees that Rauner is withdrawing?

Is that AP singling out the minorities or Rauner?

It appears that the entire story is wrong — because late term appointments have 60 days to get confirmed.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 11:39 am
Rauner rescinded every appointment that had not been confirmed by the Senate. It didn’t matter how long ago the appointment was made, if the Senate hadn’t acted on it yet it was rescinded. So most of them weren’t late term appointments.

Comment by MyTwoCents Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 11:44 am
Some you all sound pathetic, immature and simply not intuned. Do you all have actual jobs or do you come on here and post the most ridiculous comments. Rauner is not going to know what to do either.

Comment by KLB312 Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 11:45 am
===Some you all sound pathetic, immature and simply not intuned. Do you all have actual jobs or do you come on here and post the most ridiculous comments. Rauner is not going to know what to do either.===

Is that…you…Lee Elia?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 11:51 am
==While some of them may be good people, being a last minute appointment reeks of who you know and not getting a job based on qualifications.==
What qualifications does James Meeks have to run the board of education?

Comment by Snucka Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 12:10 pm
justthefacts @ 10:26 ==the people should be made aware of any conflicts of interest he may have lurking in his returns.==

You obviously haven’t seen many returns. The only things his returns would likely show that would be of any interest to anyone are (1) he made a ton money and (2) he almost certainly paid tax at a lower rate of his gross income than most of us do, and we already knew that.

Comment by Anon. Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 12:11 pm
KLB312: Your criticisms or agreement with specific comments would be appreciated. Back-up with facts and clear argument is especially valued here. Of course we all could do better.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 12:13 pm
The Tollway is a mess. When the democratics came in there were 5 departments and an executive director, and it was able to construct all the current roads. Now there are 13 departments, an executive director, chief of staff, deputy chiefs is staff (one who is Kristi’s former secretary whose job is to remind people to wear nicer jeans on Fridays) and many in the executive office who just read the paper all day (and a few who have been moved to other departments to hid their newspaper reading) and more consultants than staff to reconstruct the tri-state (AGAIN! After it was just done) and widen the Addams.

Comment by Alex Cross Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 12:26 pm
==What qualifications does James Meeks have to run the board of education?==

He’s been a strong and extremely vocal public advocate for school vouchers and charter schools, policy positions Rauner is obviously going to push for, so it makes sense to me that he’d want the loudest supporter of his preferred policies at the top.

Comment by Anonymoiis Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 12:26 pm
===What qualifications does James Meeks have to run the board of education?===

Former state Senator, Pastor, and education advocate with experiences in and out of government.

All the teachers who thought getting rid of Quinn and wanted change, welp, you’re gonna get it.

No sympathy. None. Good luck. Lesson will be learned.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 12:36 pm
Who cares how much money he makes? Makes everyone sound jealous….what matters is Quinn did nothing in office but help his fellow pals. If he had done the right thing in office maybe people could forgive him for this, but now….no way…..very glad to see this ineffective Governor out the door…he will not be missed!

Comment by Millie K. Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 12:43 pm
By executive order, Quinn raised the minimum wage for employees of contractors and subcontractors; and he required more transparency from state governors in a state that has endured 2 governors being sentenced to prison thus far in this millennium. It appears such executive orders have upset some people. Quinn was not perfect and his public speaking skills were less than inspiring, but he proved he is politically cunning - perhaps even brilliant.

Comment by Audge Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 12:49 pm
==Former state Senator, Pastor, and education advocate with experiences in and out of government.==

In a country where church and state is separate, I don’t know what being a “Pastor” has to do with running the State Board of Education. Rauner said he would engage people who had expertise in their field. Meeks is a political and religious figure who campaigned for Rauner and happens to agree with the governor’s education policies.

As for your last comment, I couldn’t agree more. I’d add state employees to that same category.

Comment by Snucka Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 12:51 pm
- Snucka -,

With respect.

Being a former state Senator and current Pastor, both deal with constituents, beurocracy, and brubg a leader. Meeks leads one of the largest ministries, and as a Pastor, the title and role is that of a leader. No religious connotations.

Rev. Meeks’, and even as a Senator, history in the education discussion speaks for itself, both good and “bad”.

Elections have consequences.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 12:58 pm
And what’s wrong with spending your life watching White Sox games?!

Comment by Bobbysox Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 1:16 pm
I’ve spoke with the Reverend Senator Meeks a number of times regarding education, and he gets it from both the macro and micro level. He’s not a self serving shill like the Revvvvverand Jackson or that sleazeball Sharpton. He’s not out to line his pockets like the brothers from Dolton.

He’s smart, he’s savvy, he KNOWS public education in Illinois and he’s all about doing the best he can for the kids and families of Illinois as the primary beneficiaries.

There are few with his bonafides in Illinois politics for whom I could make that claim….

Comment by Arizona Bob Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 1:20 pm
Snucka

Having grown up in Dolton, I consdier Rev Meeks a saint for keeping the Shaw brothers someone in check…

Heck I think he should have been Rauners Lt Gov.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 1:35 pm
Will Meeks now be required to disclose how many hundreds of thousands his church pays him?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 2:29 pm
Nice, OW

Comment by Soccermom Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 2:44 pm
…Adding… Rauner is rescinding all of Quinn’s appointments that require Senate confirmation.

Does anyone have a link or a list of the appointments impacted by Governor Rauner’s rescission?

Comment by Ridgelander Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 2:46 pm
- Soccermom -

Thanks(?), dunno how I should take that yet.

BTW, congrats on the GH. Well deserved!

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 2:53 pm
Direct service providers (DSPs), in community based organizations that provide residential and day program services, average about $9.25 an hour because rates the state pays are so low. If state contractors must pay $10 does that mean all state contracts with community based providers will now be bumped to cover the new $10 min or is that non-essential spending?

Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 2:57 pm
The next person who even tries to tell me that Pat Quinn “restored integrity” to the Governor’s office or how Pat Quinn “passionately loves Illinois” is going to get an earful from me. Three weeks ago, I would have never uttered this- good riddance Pat. Illinois deserves better than what you gave us just in the last three weeks.

Comment by Richard Afflis Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 2:59 pm
Here are links to the rescinded appointments, from Illinois Observor:

http://www.illinoisobserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/WITHDRAWAL-MESSAGES-NOT-CONFIRMED-BY-SENATE.pdf

http://www.illinoisobserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/WITHDRAWAL-MESSAGES-ON-QUINN-APPTS_2.pdf

Comment by Ridgelander Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 4:06 pm
Some of Governor Rauner’s withdrawals may be without effect.

The Illinois Constitution provides, in part:

ARTICLE V, SECTION 9. GOVERNOR - APPOINTING POWER
(a) The Governor shall nominate and, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a majority of the members elected concurring by record vote, shall appoint all officers whose election or appointment is not otherwise provided for.
Any nomination not acted upon by the Senate within 60 session days after the receipt thereof shall be deemed to have received the advice and consent of the Senate. The General Assembly shall have no power to elect or appoint officers of the Executive Branch. (Emphasis added.)

Today was the 143rd session day. Day 142 was, I think, before Mr. Rauner took office. Back that off to Day 141 for good measure.

Round down 60 days to 59 days (for more good measure) and subtract. That’d be Day 82.

Per the Senate Journal, Session Day 82 was on February 7, 2014.

So if I’m reading this correctly (and calculating correctly) — all appointment messages prior to February 7, 2014 are deemed approved.

Comment by Scott Summers Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 8:33 pm
Thanks, Scott. That’s important information, affecting many people. I hope the press picks up on it, and the question is promptly resolved.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 8:51 pm
SS, today was day 58.

Comment by Original Rambler Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 8:53 pm
Sorry - from the oldest appointments.

Comment by Original Rambler Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 9:00 pm