Governor Pat Quinn

Illinois Senators Concerned About Gambling, Corruption

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:28:12 +0000

A key Senate committee is meeting to discuss concerns that expanding gambling would open the door to political corruption and organized crime.

Senate President John Cullerton invited representatives of the Illinois Gaming Board and the Chicago Crime Commission to appear before the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday . Cullerton’s spokesperson Rikeesha Phelon says the Chicago Democrat wants to try to find a way to address the issue. But she says Cullerton has doubts about whether the concerns are legitimate or "hyperbole" intended to derail the measure.

Child Advocacy Groups Support Quinn's Loophole Plan

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 11:53:51 +0000

Several child advocacy groups say they support Gov. Pat Quinn's plan to end so-called corporate tax loopholes. They say the money saved would help pay Illinois' massive backlog of unpaid bills.

The Illinois Senate Revenue Committee took testimony Wednesday on a proposal to end three tax breaks, including not taxing foreign dividends of multinational corporations. Quinn outlined the idea in his March budget address. His office estimates the move will bring in about $450 million annually that would go toward paying down bills.

Quinn Launches Cyber Security Contest

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:55:52 +0000

Gov. Pat Quinn is launching a statewide competition to identify and train Illinois residents for jobs in cyber security. The Illinois Cyber Challenge is free and open to anyone, but Quinn says it will specifically target veterans, many of whom already have training in the field.

The challenge will involve three online tests, each with a pre-test tutorial. The top scorers in the online exams will be invited to a championship competition. A special Veterans Cyber Camp is also being held this summer.

Illinois House Committee OKs Gay Marriage

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:06:46 +0000

An Illinois House committee has endorsed allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry. The House Executive Committee voted last night to move a measure lifting the state's ban on same-sex marriage to the floor.

Democratic Rep. Greg Harris says his bill is a matter of treating gay and heterosexual couples equally under the law. Advocates say the measure would also help eliminate discrimination against children of homosexual couples. But opponents say the bill steps on religious freedom. They argue lawmakers don't have the right to redefine marriage.

Quinn Says Proposed Fracking Rules Good for Illinois

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:32:02 +0000

Gov. Pat Quinn is praising a bill that would regulate high-volume oil and gas drilling in Illinois, saying it'll help the economy. Two state lawmakers have introduced a bill that would establish ground rules for hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking."

The method uses high-pressure mixtures of water, sand or gravel and chemicals to crack open rock formations and release oil and gas. The industry is eyeing southern Illinois' New Albany shale. Quinn says he's committed to protecting the environment and creating jobs.

Quinn Urges Eligible Illinois Taxpayers to File for Credit

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 14:22:00 +0000

Gov. Pat Quinn wants taxpayers to take advantage of a newly expanded tax credit. The Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit provides low-income families with tax relief and an incentive to work. But the nonprofit Center for Economic Progress estimates between 10 to 20 percent of eligible taxpayers didn't file for the credit last year.

Quinn Says Time to Put IL Voting Registration Online

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:13:51 +0000

Gov. Pat Quinn wants Illinois residents have the option to register to vote online. Quinn says the state's election process must move into the 21st century. Supporters tout the proposal as a way to simplify registration and attract the Millennial Generation that has traditionally been absent from the election process.

Quinn's Ethics Proposal Raises Questions

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:44:51 +0000

Gov. Pat Quinn's ethics proposal outlined in his State of the State speech is raising eyebrows. His idea is to ban Illinois lawmakers from voting on anything that might help them personally. But there are questions about the proposal’s targets and if it's necessary when Illinois has to deal with major financial problems. Others question if Quinn is laying groundwork for re-election. He dismissed those questions Thursday, saying it's long been his priority. But some lawmakers say they were confused by the timing. Especially because Quinn didn't focus heavily on his goal of overhauling pensions and Illinois traditionally enacts reforms after scandal.

Quinn Signs Bill for Road Projects, Child Services

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:34:55 +0000

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has approved that provides hundreds of millions of dollars for road projects and a boost for more child abuse investigators. Quinn signed the bill yesterday after the Senate voted 38-15 to approve the supplemental appropriation. It's meant to shore up parts of state government that are running short of money with half of the budget year to go. The bill includes $675 million in unanticipated federal and state money available for road projects this spring.

Quinn Gives IL State of State Address

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:31:17 +0000

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says the toughest issue for the state is its worst-in-the-nation public pension system, but he only made scattered references to it throughout his State of the State address Wednesday. Quinn supports Senate Bill 1, which would increase contributions and reduce benefits. The bill sponsored by Senate President John Cullerton failed to get a House vote. Illinois has nearly $100 billion in unfunded liability.