Quinn for Illinois

By Kevin Lee

SPRINGFIELD – On his one-year anniversary as governor, Pat Quinn delivered a much-needed boost to the state’s auto industry – and perhaps to his own campaign prospects.

Quinn announced the addition of 1,200 new manufacturing jobs to a Chicago assembly plant to help construct the new Ford Explorer.

That would double the number of assembly workers at the Chicago plant.

“We want to help Ford and a lot of good companies, manufacturing companies, build products, American products, that are second to none,” Quinn said.

Ford Motor Company is benefiting from a state tax credit for auto manufacturers that lawmakers passed and Quinn signed into law last year.

Ford is planning to invest $400 million towards Chicago’s production of next-generation Explorer sport-utility vehicles.

Mark Fields, president of Ford of The Americas, said the 1,200 jobs would fully staff a second shift to be implemented later this year.

“It’s really about bringing more investment, more jobs and, most importantly, more world-class products coming off the end of the line here at the Chicago assembly plant,” he said.

Production of the new Explorers in Chicago is scheduled to begin by the end of this year, Fields added.

The new jobs announcement comes a week before next Tuesday’s primary election. Quinn is vying against state Comptroller Dan Hynes for the Democratic bid for governor.

Quinn sidestepped questions on how the new jobs would impact his campaign.

“I think people know that I’m a governor who believes in jobs. All through my life, state treasurer lieutenant governor and now governor, I’ve been able to put together partnerships that create jobs and maintain jobs,” he said.

Hynes campaign wasn’t immediately available for comment.

The latest poll shows Quinn locked in a virtual deadlock with Hynes heading into next week’s primary.