Quinn for Illinois

Today we're posting remarks from 'guest blogger' Dean T. Maragos, New Trier Democratic Committeeman.

Mr. Maragos spoke eloquently about Governor Quinn at the New Trier Democrats Candidate Townhall on Sunday, and we thank him for his kind words.

We are very honored and privileged to have with us today - the Governor of our great State of Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn. As the new Chief Executive of our State, Governor Quinn has taken office in some of the most difficult times ever seen by our citizens in this State and in this nation. He inherited a State that was marred by political corruption, massive fiscal deficits and huge unemployment. Our citizens are scared, confused and given to listening to extremists who give them allegedly simple solutions to very complex questions. History has repeated itself, since our current crisis is very similar to those in our State's history in the years 1860 and 1933.

People ask me if Governor Quinn is capable of leading us out of this crisis and to tell them what type of a man Pat Quinn is. I tell them that when I think of Pat Quinn, I am reminded of another great Illinois Chief Executive who was described by a man who knew him well - Carl Schurz in 1864.

Carl Schurz described President Lincoln in the following manner, "You are underrating the President...He is a man of profound feeling, correct and firm principles and incorruptible honesty. His motives are unquestionable, and he possesses to a remarkable degree the characteristic, God-given trait of this people, sound common sense."As with President Lincoln, Governor Quinn has had a long and distinguished career in public service.

Pat Quinn was born in Illinois in 1948, the eldest of P.J. and Eileen Quinn's 3 sons. He attended Fenwick High School in Oak Park and entered Georgetown University's Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor's Degree in International Economics from Georgetown University. He then attended and received his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law. Pat has two sons of his own and of which he is justifiably very proud, Patrick and David.

Pat Quinn has devoted his life to standing up for the working people of Illinois and fighting political corruption, government waste, and unfair taxes. He has earned a national reputation as an honest leader who has never been afraid to speak his mind and battle special interests on behalf of everyday men and women.

In 1982, Pat was elected to clean up the scandal-ridden Cook County Board of Property Tax Appeals. He instituted a tough new ethics code and auditing standards for which the Chicago Sun Times praised him stating "he fumigated, reformed and converted a once-corrupt office into a model for taxpayer service... and openness of process."

In 1983, he founded the Citizens Utility Board (better known as "CUB") that has saved consumers $10 billion by blocking rate hikes and getting consumer refunds. In 2003 as our Lieutenant Governor he fought for new environmental protection programs and to provide critical assistance to members of the U.S. Armed Services and their families.

Pat Quinn was sworn in as Governor of Illinois on January 29, 2009 after the impeachment and removal from office of Governor Rod Blagojevich. Since taking office, Governor Quinn has devoted himself to creating new jobs and to reform state government. His first act as Governor was to sign an executive order establishing the Illinois Reform Commission This independent bipartisan Commission developed a list of important reforms to bring fairness, honesty, transparency and accountability to Illinois government.

On April 3^rd, Governor Quinn signed into law the $3 billion "Jump Start" Capital Plan Illinois' first Capital Construction Program in 10 years. Combined with the federal stimulus funds, Jump Start will create thousands of jobs in Illinois.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill said, "The Price of Greatness is Responsibility." Governor Quinn is an accomplished student of history, and knows that he and his appointed administration will be judged by history, and he will accept the responsibility of the tough decisions he has made and will make as our Governor and our leader.

I believe history will distinguish Pat Quinn's term as Governor as a "Period of Greatness" for he has the wisdom and sound common sense, as did Abraham Lincoln - to lead us out of these difficult times and establish a foundation of an honest efficient government for ourselves and our children. Ladies and gentlemen it is my distinct honor to introduce a man I have known for many years and admire - Governor Pat Quinn.