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* Politico…
Decades of inept governance have eroded Illinoisans’ expectations for their governors. Two of the three governors who preceded Rauner in office have gone to prison on corruption charges. One of them, Rod Blagojevich, is still there after being convicted on charges of, among other things, trying to sell a Senate seat after Obama was elected president. He won’t be eligible for release until 2024. (Pritzker was caught on an FBI wiretap, days after the 2008 election, talking to Blagojevich about the possibility of appointing him as state treasurer, a conversation Rauner has used to batter Pritzker again and again.)
When I asked Pritzker to name the last Illinois governor he admired, he had to reach back two centuries. “It’s Governor Edward Coles, who really prevented Illinois, way back in the 1820s, from ever becoming a slave state,” he said. That was a pretty important turn and something that was courageous to do at the time.”
* The Question: Who is the last Illinois governor you admire? Explain.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 11:18 am
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Ogilvie.. For the income tax which was required. He fell on his sword…
Comment by Anotheretiree Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 11:31 am
Quinn fell on his own sword over taxes, too. In my opinion, Pat Quinn was better for Illinois than he’ll be remembered.
Comment by Dome Gnome Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 11:34 am
Jim Edgar. He knew how to work well with both sides of the aisle and get things done.
He is a moderate like me. Not crazy about his pension funding issues but he beats any of his successors and I do not think Gov. Pritzker will best him either.
Comment by Jake From Elwood Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 11:38 am
I think Quinn made some admirably tough calls in the midst of The Great Recession: stabilizing revenues, cutting spending, paying down bills and making full pension contributions.
There were no easy or popular fiscal calls in those times, but he had the guts to make them and move forward.
After the Ryan conviction and the Blago removal and conviction, I think most were assured that Quinn was not a self-dealing, out-and-out crook. Low bar, but TII, and he cleared it.
I admire his signing of state same-sex-marriage legislation, rather than waiting on the federal courts. And I think it was necessary to do away with Illinois’ irredeemable death penalty system.
That said, I wouldn’t call him a top-notch administrator. And although his personality never bothered me, over the years I came to learn that he really rubbed a lot of playas the wrong way, on both sides of the aisle, limiting his effectiveness.
But on balance, he was a plus as governor.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 11:40 am
Stevenson, the father
Comment by DarkHorse Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 11:42 am
Edgar by a landslide.
Comment by A State Employee Guy Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 11:46 am
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say George Ryan. If it is possible to set aside his corruption issues, he liked to make deals and get things done.
Comment by Not It Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 11:46 am
Len Small - hired my grandfather to help build roads.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 11:46 am
First one I have a memory of and last one I have any admiration for. Ogilvie.
Comment by Not a Billionaire Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 11:48 am
Richard Ogilvie. Kept the state’s financial house in good order.
Comment by Collinsville Kevin Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 11:49 am
Edgar. He wasn’t perfect, and I probably wouldn’t even have voted for him, but he’s the last guy who’s desire for the state to succeed outweighed his personal foibles most of the time.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 11:50 am
Agree with Dome Gnome. Quinn had many flaws and made many mistakes but he was an adult when we needed one and deserves to be remembered as such.
Comment by slow down Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 11:50 am
I have respect for George Ryan for ending the death penalty in IL.
Comment by Politix Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 11:50 am
Big Jim had his faults, but Illinois got things done in a bipartisan manner when he was in, and times were generally good. He was the state’s longest serving gov, from 1977 to 1991, which makes him kinda like Illinois’ FDR.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 11:55 am
I thought Pat Quinn did a professional job. Didn’t agree with him on everything but I think people are beginning to understand that working with the General Assembly isn’t easy (nor should it be necessarily).
Comment by Maestro Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 11:55 am
Quinn- he wasn’t smooth or a good deal maker but he was principled. He paid the full pension payment, signed same sex marriage into law and got rid of the death penalty. Tough positions to take in some ways, I didn’t agree with but understood his stance on the death penalty.
I respected his willingness to stand up for honest convictions. He tired to do what was right for people and help not hurt.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 11:58 am
I’m leaning toward Quinn, for many of the above reasons. I also think he was an honest individual who was trying to look out for the average citizen. And not too worried about courting campaign contributions from the wrong groups. All that effective? Not sure…
Comment by siualum Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 12:05 pm
I’m Team Quinn as well.
Comment by Cheryl44 Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 12:06 pm
Adalai Stevenson - He lived in multiple parts of the State (Bloomington, Galena, Libertyville, Chicago). He was well educated (Chaote, Princeton, Harvard, Northwestern). He worked with FDR, and tried to root out corruption in State Government, and initiated the new constitution.
Six Degrees: borrowing $250B from the future is not “getting things done.” Also, while the libraries and bridges FDR built are mainly still intact, most of the things Thompson built (including his namesake in Chicago) are now falling apart, because his friends built them.
Comment by Merica Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 12:12 pm
Unlike Chris Kennedy, I can be magnanimous: I admire Rauner for signing legislation to protect LGBTQ rights.
In terms of sheer impact on the state and the country, however, you can’t do much better than Coles.
Comment by Contract disputin' Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 12:14 pm
For all the abuse he takes on CapFax, I’m amazed Quinn is getting so many mentions.
Like any Illinois governor, he inherited a jackpot but did a creditable job in a bad situation.
I always appreciated his regard for veterans (going to funerals of those KIA while Lt. Gov.) and his basic honesty.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 12:16 pm
Governor Vaughn Illinois 1957 - 60
Comment by Red Ketcher Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 12:16 pm
I find myself agreeing with many of the previous comments about Pat Quinn. I first met him 35 or so years ago and have largely been an admirer of him since then.
He was not afraid to stick to his long held beliefs about public service and doing what he felt was the “common good”. As with all of us he had his faults, was perhaps not the best administrator, and could not cut some of the deals as he would have liked.
One thing I will always respect him for was his respect for the fallen soldiers that have come home. Quite a few years ago he showed up in my small community to honor a fallen Marine. Unannounced and without fanfare he waited well over an hour in line as we all did to show his respects.
Comment by illini Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 12:18 pm
John Peter Algeld
Quoting wikipedia
“. A leading figure of the Progressive movement, Altgeld signed workplace safety and child labor laws, pardoned three of the men convicted in the Haymarket Affair, and rejected calls in 1894 to break up the Pullman strike by force. In 1896 he was a leader of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, opposing President Grover Cleveland and the conservative Bourbon Democrats. He was defeated for reelection in 1896 in an intensely fought, bitter campaign.
Born in Germany, Altgeld grew up on a farm in the American Midwest. After a stint in the Union Army as a youth, Altgeld studied law in Missouri, while working as a manual laborer, and became involved in progressive politics. Altgeld eventually opened a law practice in Chicago, and became a real estate developer, and local judge before being elected governor. He was married to Emma Ford. Often in poor health, he died at the age of 54, while working in the law office of Clarence Darrow. ”
A hero for the ordinary workingman.
Comment by Streamwood Retiree Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 12:18 pm
I go for Quinn as well for the reasons discussed above. He could have been great if he had only done a couple of things differently, like get spending under control. I praise Ryan’s courageous stand on the death penalty, although he falls short in other ways.
Comment by Jibba Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 12:25 pm
Quinn. An fundamentally decent man with a huge heart who was an imperfect but good governor.
He stabilized a train wreck, got a real capital program done, secured civil unions and marriage equality, signed annual budgets. Had authentic respect for veterans. Invested in violence prevention. Absorbed a lot of cheap shots and displayed courage.
Rauner’s errors, hostility to public workers and the public interest make Quinn’s tenure look better with each passing day.
Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 12:30 pm
Quinn, minus his attack on earned pension benefits. He was far more realistic than our current Governor.
Comment by Ole' Nelson Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 12:45 pm
Even though as time goes by and I get angrier over cutting pensions with Tier II, without progressive taxation, I admire Quinn the most. He’s brought the bill backlog down, paid pensions, expanded Medicaid under the ACA, legalized SSM and MMJ. He paid politically for a tough tax hike vote, unlike Rauner, who allowed a hike with his quick vetoes and let others go on the chopping block to take the whacks.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 12:45 pm
Shadrach Bond. Kidding, probably Edgar. I’m not sure if he was a good governor or just looks good by comparison, but he was the last competent one.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 1:01 pm
JRT - The biggest cheerleader and dealmaker in my memory. Took the 60/30 premise to levels only real pols with savvy and smarts could, trying to make a better Illinois, around good politics.
Edgar - After JRT gave away the store, Edgar got stuck with the bill. While being “Governor No”, Edgar worked hard to find common ground and space, so much so Dems ran on being close to Jim Edgar.
GHR - The death penalty decision, while it could be clouded with political smoke was sweeping and honest to what powers a governor has to right wrongs, while not completely overturning the judicial system. Ryan understood the office as well as JRT, but GHR had so much working against himself, the legacy of the term is seen thru the damage of his time at SoS. The death penalty decision is a legacy any governor would like.
Quinn - as much as JRT was a cheerleader, Quinn loved the people, especially the veterans. Making the pension payments, signing SSM, conceal carry, Quinn had moments of leadership while flailing with his own foibles.
Rauner - Criminal justice reform and HB40, Rauner will be measured by the social changes he signed and made Illinois a unique state looking at social agenda issues beyond the usual politics.
While listing these attributes with each, the one I admire is still Edgar.
Cautious, rational politics, Republican politics, while finding 60 and 30… I’m with Edgar, as always, all day, every day, thrice on Sunday.
I hope we have a governor, politics aside, that looks at the office with the eyes and temperament Edgar did, and still does.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 1:01 pm
Altgeld.
Read Altgelds America. A truly great read.
Comment by Chunga Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 1:02 pm
===Who is the last Illinois governor you admire?===
Most of the governors that I can think of without looking at a list have some pretty glaring issues that are incredibly hard to overlook.
Just about every governor I can think have has at least one thing or accomplishment from their time in office that is admirable though.
The 20th century is just full of folks making excessive personal profits at public expense and it is truly hard to ignore it.
Comment by Anon Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 1:05 pm
I am truly amazed at the number who sided with Quinn, if I recall the number of dislikes of him 4 years ago. I do feel his respect for veterans was/is sincere - the remainder was more sizzle than steak.
My vote goes to Edgar. Measured and worked well to get bipartisan legislation approved.
Comment by Bogey Golfer Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 1:16 pm
Edgar, when asked about the pensions, said “we have to pay this”. He did not try to cheat people.
Comment by DuPage Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 1:38 pm
I have been with Team Quinn since he spoke at my son’s funeral.
He hired me as a Deputy Director without a single political question.
From inside the State I saw a person who tried to manage in a difficult situation. DCFS was so broke that they could not pay for the ink necessary to file court cases. He got the tax increase and paid the bills.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 1:51 pm
Quinn–for his honesty, hard work, paid down the bill backlog, made pension payments on time, improved pension problem prospectively with support of tier 2 that didn’t breach previous contracts, opposed the death penalty, supported same sex marriage, his loving care of Illinois veterans–Quincy would have gotten immediate attention and publicity.
Didn’t like everything–eg. Quinn’s moralistic opposition to gambling expansion, support of pension plan stricken by Ill Supreme Court, signing free ride tax exemption bill for hospitals by weakening mandated charitable care.
I admire others for different reasons–Ryan, Edgar, Thompson, Ogilvie, but Quinn is the most recent Governor I admire.
Comment by James Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 1:52 pm
Thompson. He was moderate–not extreme and could work with both sides without burning bridges.
Or I might go with Edward Coles. James Madison’s Secretary. Slaveowner who hated slavery, so freed his slaves. Became governor and really single handedly prevented Illinois from become a constitutional slave state.
Comment by Steve Rogers Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 2:22 pm
George Ryan for commuting 157 death sentences in the face of contrary public opinion and ultimately bringing about an end to the death penalty in Illinois and most of the northern states.
Comment by Quiet Sage Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 2:26 pm
Edgar–he was the first person I ever voted for, but also the guy I voted against four years later. He was generally honest and learned while Governor how to be a better Governor.
Comment by Archpundit Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 3:02 pm
As an appointee by all of them since Thompson, I have to say the most effective was Thompson, most likeable George Ryan
Comment by flea Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 3:09 pm
Thompson then Edger.
Comment by bear3 Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 3:19 pm
Thomas Ford. Got the canal built, paid for it, wrote an excellent book.
Comment by Fav Human Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 3:22 pm
Chunga: Just ordered it on your recommendation.
A companion to “Lords of the Levee”?
Comment by Streamwood Retiree Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 4:00 pm
Jim Thompson, with honorable mention to Jim Edgar. JRT gave a lot of youngsters their start in government in positions that were way over our heads. AA will never forget the opportunity I was given. He was the smartest guy and the best practical politician to hold the office in a long time.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 4:11 pm
Adlai Stevenson. He worked on structure without hiring his own friends. Quinn received a lot of good reviews but by who? He worked against the working class people.
Comment by Rusty Tuesday, Oct 9, 18 @ 9:37 am