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*** UPDATE *** A former aide to Gov. Quinn just called to say that while Quinn didn’t finish his end of term report, they’re still working on it and it’ll be forthcoming.
* From the Illinois Constitution…
The Governor, at the beginning of each annual session of the General Assembly and at the close of his term of office, shall report to the General Assembly on the condition of the State and recommend such measures as he deems desirable. [Emphasis added.]
* The AP reports that Pat Quinn didn’t file his report…
Former Gov. Pat Quinn worked right up until his successor was sworn into office last week.
Despite the flurry of activity, the Democrat failed to fulfill a constitutional requirement: a final state-of-the-state message to the Illinois General Assembly.
That makes Quinn the third governor in a row not to do so, although Rod Blagojevich was somewhat preoccupied.
More…
Quinn did not respond to requests for comment this week. But he told The Associated Press before leaving office that he would produce one.
Considering that Quinn’s hires, contracts and executive orders are all either canceled or under review, he might’ve had more long-term impact by submitting that final message.
* And speaking of canceled contracts, there’s an issue at IDOT…
The Rauner administration hasn’t decided whether to proceed with a Jan. 30 deadline for companies to submit bids for the first phase of this year’s road construction season.
“That is under review at this time,” Trover said, “and a decision will be made in the near future.”
Next week’s IDOT bid letting is expected to be fairly big, estimated to be worth more than $200 million for Chicago-area projects alone, according to Michael Sturino, president and CEO of the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association, an industry group.
The freeze definitely puts planning of major new interstate projects, such as the Illiana Expressway, on hold while the administration decides whether to proceed with it. But other maintenance and improvements are more routine and financed largely by the federal government through taxes on motor fuel.
“It’s good the tollway is back on track,” Sturino said. “We hope to get a quick resolution on the IDOT situation, which remains in limbo. If there’s a long delay, it will have an incredibly serious impact on the motoring public, jobs and ability of construction firms to sustain themselves, especially smaller, minority-owned firms.”
* And…
Attorney General Lisa Madigan today blocked a deal struck in the final weeks of the Quinn administration to revamp management of the Illinois Lottery, saying the arrangement is illegal and would needlessly cost taxpayers.
In a stunning letter to Lottery Director Michael Jones, Madigan said she has decided to “formally disapprove” a Dec. 9 termination agreement between the Lottery and the controversial private firm that’s managed it, Northstar Lottery Group.
The Quinn administration said the agreement would resolve longstanding disputes over Northstar’s performance, saving the state $10 million a year. But it was immediately ripped by aides to incoming Gov. Bruce Rauner, who termed it “a bad deal” that leave taxpayers worse off than they were before.
In the letter—I obtained a copy from a source close to the matter and confirmed its authenticity—Madigan, a Democrat, clearly sides with Rauner, a Republican.
The deal “purports to extend indemnification to Northstar in excess of the (Lottery’s) statutory authority and in violation of the Illinois Constitution,” Madigan wrote. It violates provisions of the state public-records act, she adds, and instead of favorably resolving a continuing financial dispute “may result in obligating the state to pay more fees and expenses than the state has paid in prior fiscal years.”
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 1:08 pm
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He did have it put together, but 20 pages of
Bruce Rauner is a Poopyhead wasn’t considered worth submitting…
Comment by OneMan Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 1:13 pm
Of course he didn’t.
He was too busy doing the really important but boring stuff the public would never notice, like Executive Orders about the minimum wage and the next Governor’s tax returns.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 1:18 pm
Pat Quinn is a petty man who did a lot of questionable things on the way out the door kind of like how he first got elected with Questionable Blago. Quinn was never the honest well intentioned goof everyone liked to portray him as. He was a patronage hack from the start who has shown his true self many many times. The state is much better with him gone.
Comment by Fed Up Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 1:19 pm
He going by Sox park today and ask Louie why he didn’t finish it yet.
Comment by 1st warder Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 1:19 pm
A lot of things haven’t come forth on just what the former gov tolerated in the behavior of his friends. Many of those slinking away and what they’ve done would embarrass the administration if it all came out. Much more than any of this.
Comment by Disappointed Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 1:26 pm
So, first the “will of the people” and then “the law of the land” out the window?
Comment by Pedantic Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 1:33 pm
But look at the bright side. He is the last elected (Shapiro was not elected Governor but fill out the last 7 months of Kerner’s term) Democratic governor of Illinois not to go to prison since Adlai Stevenson who was elected 65 years ago.
that has to be worth something!
Comment by Federalist Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 1:35 pm
I need an explanation. Why would Quinn sign such a bad deal on the lottery? What’s in it for him and/or the state?
Comment by jim Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 1:40 pm
The selection of engineering firms for design and construction inspection work is also to be performed and announced Wednesday (1/28). No word if this is will be postponed.
Comment by Bogey Golfer Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 1:41 pm
I would think the transition reports to Rauner are the final reports — would there be any other type of final report?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 1:44 pm
Okay, we all get it…flaws at the end. 12 days in to a new administration perhaps it’s time to start looking forward. Gov Quinn had his flaws, but after 12 months of hearing people blame him, it is time to see action going forward.
Comment by Downstate GOP Faithless Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 1:47 pm
“I need an explanation. Why would Quinn sign such a bad deal on the lottery? What’s in it for him and/or the state?”
This driven in part by the myth that outsourcing is always cheaper than keeping the work in-house. However this myth is laid bare when you don’t have the in-house competency to do RFPs, contracts, and monitoring. The other part of this is that you need ethical parties executing the contract for it to succeed. The state often falls short on both aspects.
Comment by Qui Tam Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 1:54 pm
==it is time to see action going forward==
It sure is. But Quinn’s exit was so particularly graceless that it is likely to be discussed, and recalled, for some time.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 1:54 pm
Are we still paying Quinn staffers to do stuff after his term has ended?
Comment by OneMan Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 2:00 pm
*** UPDATE *** A former aide to Gov. Quinn just called to say that while Quinn didn’t finish his end of term report, they’re still working on it and it’ll be forthcoming.
“If you could please, just pull forward out of the line and away from the drive-up window, we’ll bring the report right out to you, with an extra order of French fries.”
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 2:14 pm
The Quinn volunteer was going through Capitol Fax and cutting and pasting favorable comments by the few stalwarts he had left.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 2:16 pm
Lisa quotes the state constitution when it is convenient to do so.
Comment by cubird Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 2:17 pm
This sounds like a job for Inspector Meza.
Comment by Working night and day... Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 2:24 pm
==they’re still working on it and it’ll be forthcoming==
=And by that, I mean he is going to start working on it this weekend.=
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 2:31 pm
So after he is done with his final report, he will make an appearance at the Inauguration?
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 2:34 pm
My guess it is a second semester project at Fenwick for some students…
Comment by OneMan Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 3:15 pm
with Rauner at the helm, it seems like the Madigans have been emboldened to be who they really are….
Comment by Loop Lady Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 3:22 pm
Loop Lady at 3:22pm nailed it.
Comment by Qui Tam Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 3:24 pm
Didn’t the City Club speech count?
Comment by Moist von Lipwig Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 3:38 pm
==- Downstate GOP Faithless - Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 1:47 pm:==
It’s almost like someone doesn’t want to buy the Rauner Crew excuses, considering they’ve yapped about how prepared they were for months, yet they continually seem caught flat footed.
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Jan 23, 15 @ 4:04 pm