Outgoing Gov. Quinn takes looks back, offers hints at future

[lunasun]

CHICAGO (AP) -- Gov. Pat Quinn is characterizing his tenure as one of fairness - trying to create jobs by inking a capital construction plan, legalizing same-sex marriage and ending Illinois' death penalty - and hinted Tuesday that he'll stay focused on that principle by returning to his activist roots after leaving office.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IL_ILLINOIS_GOVERNOR_QUINN_ILOL-?SITE=ILBLO&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

He previewed his future plans for the first time since losing on Nov. 4, saying he'd like to pursue issues like veterans rights and organize petition drives.

It was a glimpse of vintage Quinn, who became a political organizer in the 1970s. He advocated term limits and helped push through a constitutional amendment cutting the number of lawmakers in the legislature before he was elected treasurer and lieutenant governor. He took over as governor in 2009, after now-imprisoned ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich was indicted on corruption charges.

"Illinois was a laughingstock," Quinn said, describing a "crisis of corruption," the recession and fiscal problems. "I inherited all that."

[Gidney N Cloyd]

1. He should run for Mark Kirk's senate seat in '16.

[greatauntoftriplets]

2. Run, Pat, run!

[Sienna86]

3. I felt he always tried to do the right thing.

Sorry to see him go but glad he will stay active.

[raging moderate]

4. Pat Quinn for US Senator!

What a great idea!

[former9thward]

5. Quinn destroyed the IL House in the 80s.

He got his initiative drive on the ballot to reduce the size of the House saying it would "save money". Before that every district had either 2 Dems and one Rep or 2 Reps and one Dem. So everyone was represented no matter where you lived. His fraudulent ballot proposal passed and then all the power transferred to the "4 Tops". The majority and minorities leaders of the Senate and House. So Madigan in effect became the Governor. When Quinn cam into office Madigan handcuffed him and Quinn bawled about it. Too bad Pat, you made the bed and you had to lie in it.