Pat Quinn

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Center of ‘rape email’ denies knowledge of alleged coverup

By JOHN O'CONNORDecember 1, 2021 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The ex-campaign worker for Gov. J.B. Pritzker who is at the center of an email in which a one-time Statehouse lobbyist alleged government coverups of a rape and illegal state hiring says he's completely unaware of the purported incidents that have dogged him since the email became public last year.

About 15,000 same-sex couples wed in Cook County since 2013

November 23, 2019 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Nearly 15,000 same-sex couples have wed in Cook County since Illinois legalized marriage equality six years ago, an achievement advocates and elected officials celebrated this week...

Rich governor, meet powerful speaker

Staff WriterNovember 11, 2018 GMT

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is about to see two things he never has seen before. And given he’s been in the Statehouse since 1971, that’s saying something.

Bill backlog brings criticism from comptroller

Allison Shapiroashapiro@daily-journal.com815-937-3385January 8, 2018 GMT

State Comptroller Susana Mendoza has a chart she likes to show people. It's a simple graph, charting the growth of the Illinois general fund backlog over time – money due to nursing homes, colleges, social service providers, local governments and other organizations across the state.

Rauner appoints wife of top aide to commerce post

February 13, 2015 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has appointed the wife of a top aide to a $121,000 post at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Rauner's office Friday said Andria Winters of Chicago would be replacing Dan Seals as the department's assistant director.

Rauner issued marijuana licenses before FBI background check

By CARLA K. JOHNSONFebruary 5, 2015 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner awarded licenses this week to 70 medical marijuana businesses before out-of-state criminal background checks could be done through an FBI database, as required under state law.

Documents: Top-scoring marijuana cultivation applicants

By The Associated PressJanuary 26, 2015 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn's administration had prepared lists of businesses that were to receive lucrative medical marijuana licenses before he left office this month.

Departing governor commutes sentences, names appointments

By SOPHIA TAREENJanuary 13, 2015 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — In his final moments as Illinois governor, Pat Quinn commuted the sentences of six people, issued three executive orders, handed out some prestigious appointments and signed bills, a flurry of activity unveiled Monday as Gov.

Economy, minimum wage weigh on Illinois voters

November 4, 2014 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — One of the first voters headed into a polling station at a Springfield church summed up the views of those disenchanted with Illinois' direction.

John Ray is a 73-year-old retired union painter and lifelong Democrat from the state capital.

Illinois to create statewide Ebola task force

By CARLA K. JOHNSONOctober 17, 2014 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois' plan for dealing with the Ebola threat is evolving as health officials in the public and private sectors learn from mistakes made in Texas, the state's top doctor said Friday.

Illinois still employs 173 hired improperly

By JOHN O'CONNORSeptember 13, 2014 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. Pat Quinn's administration hired more than 60 percent of the Illinois Department of Transportation workers whose employment was deemed improper by a state ethics watchdog, a document released Friday shows.

Quinn wants new review of IDOT hiring

By SOPHIA TAREENSeptember 5, 2014 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Gov. Pat Quinn said Friday that he'll ask the Illinois Department of Transportation's secretary for a new review of hiring connected to a position that's been the subject of an investigative report and federal lawsuit.

Illinois governor grants 38 clemency requests

August 29, 2014 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has taken action on 124 clemency petitions, granting 38 and denying 86.

The Chicago Democrat announced the news in a release Friday afternoon.

His office says those who were granted clemency have recently undergone criminal background checks.

Report: State agency broke hiring rules for years

By JOHN O'CONNORAugust 23, 2014 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Department of Transportation circumvented rules devised to keep politics out of state jobs and improperly hired more than 250 people in the last decade, accelerating the practice under Democratic Gov.

Harley-riding Rauner revs up GOP at Illinois fair

By KERRY LESTERAugust 14, 2014 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner roared into the state fairgrounds on a Harley Thursday, revving up the party faithful by pledging to help loosen the Democrats' long hold on power in Illinois government.

Jefferson’s aide named replacement in Ill. House

July 31, 2014 GMT

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) — Winnebago County Democrats have named a replacement for state Rep. Chuck Jefferson, who resigned.

The Rockford Register Star (http://bit.ly/1zA8wqe) reported Thursday that Jefferson's former chief of staff, Litesa Wallace, won the nod among 11 candidates.

Quinn: Rauner ad shows ‘pattern of dishonesty’

July 24, 2014 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Gov. Pat Quinn has blasted a new commercial by his Republican opponent in which headlines from news stories appear doctored.

Speaking to reporters at a Thursday campaign event in Chicago, the Democrat called the alterations "clearly wrong."

Quinn: Landfill’s PCB approval may be withdrawn

July 22, 2014 GMT

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Gov. Pat Quinn believes the state of Illinois may be able to withdraw its approval of a plan to store toxic waste in a central Illinois landfill because local officials may never have signed off on the proposal.

8 leaks in Springfield’s Executive Mansion roof

July 8, 2014 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Workers have started patching eight leaks in the roof at the nearly 160-year-old Executive Mansion after Gov. Pat Quinn approved the emergency repairs.

The amount of money spent on the repairs won't exceed $40,000 and will cover inspectors, patching damaged sections and repairing damage to interior rooms.

Illinois Education Association endorses Quinn

July 2, 2014 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — An influential teacher's union has endorsed Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn for re-election over Republican Bruce Rauner (ROW'-nur).

In a statement Wednesday, Illinois Education Association President Cinda Klickna says Quinn is the only candidate who will fight for public schools statewide.

Illinois putting $30M of solar into energy mix

June 28, 2014 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois will buy up to $30 million worth of solar power and pump it into the energy mix for electricity customers under legislation signed into law Saturday that also promotes the spread of home rooftop panels.

Judge: No to term limits, redistricting measures

By SOPHIA TAREENJune 27, 2014 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Measures that would allow Illinois voters to decide on term limits for legislators and a new political redistricting process can't appear on November's ballot, a Cook County judge ruled Friday, in a decision that could be a setback for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner.

Rauner proposes ending some corporate tax breaks

By SARA BURNETTJune 25, 2014 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner called Wednesday for ending certain corporate tax breaks and "special deals" he says are unfair to Illinois' working families.

The wealthy Winnetka businessman ripped Democratic Gov.

Illinois investors jump into marijuana business

June 15, 2014 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Investors around Illinois are jockeying for positions in the marijuana business as they wait for the state's new medical marijuana law to kick in. And some of them are politically connected.

Quinn wins endorsements from clergy

June 12, 2014 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Several clergy and community leaders in the Chicago area have endorsed Gov. Pat Quinn in a tight gubernatorial race.

Among those throwing their support behind the Democrat at an event Thursday in Chicago were Rev.

Quinn, Emanuel attend gay marriage celebration

By SOPHIA TAREENJune 8, 2014 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — A swanky brunch paying tribute Sunday to those who helped pass Illinois' new same-sex marriage law wasn't free from election-year politics as organizers deemed Gov. Pat Quinn "the most pro-gay governor in the history of Illinois" and knocked his Republican re-election challenger.

AP Exclusive: IDOT hires had political clout

By The Associated PressMay 12, 2014 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Dozens of state jobs involved in a dispute over whether they should be free of politics were filled by Gov. Pat Quinn's administration with candidates who were politically connected or gave campaign money to the governor's party, an Associated Press review of state documents shows.

Illinois sees record year for film, TV during 2013

January 22, 2014 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — The film industry generated more than $350 million in spending in Illinois last year, a big spike over the year before, state officials announced Tuesday.

Gov. Pat Quinn announced the news on the set of "Chicago Fire," an NBC show about Chicago firefighters.

Gov.’s inspector general investigating state grant

March 30, 2013 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Gov. Pat Quinn's inspector general is investigating an influential Chicago organization's use of a $98 million state grant.

The Chicago Sun Times reported Saturday (http://bit.ly/10h1F2Q) that the office asked the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to produce documents related to the United Neighborhood Organization grant.