Gov. Pat Quinn

Illinois Senate Working to Improve Odds for Gambling Bill

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:27:44 +0000

Supporters of a gambling expansion proposal are making changes to the legislation in an attempt to improve its chances with the Illinois Legislature and Gov. Pat Quinn.

Rikeesha Phelon is a spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton. She says Cullerton plans to strip language from the bill that would legalize Internet gaming and let lawmakers consider it as a separate measure.

Illinois Governor Won't Say If He Supports New Speed Limit

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:26:03 +0000

Gov. Pat Quinn isn't saying whether he'd support legislation boosting the speed limit on Illinois interstates and tollways.

The Illinois Senate approved a measure 41-6 Wednesday raising the speed limit from 65 mph to 70 mph. The bill awaits a House vote. If Quinn signs it, the new speed limit could take effect at the start of next year.

Illinois Seniors Get Bigger Break on Property Tax

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:15:49 +0000

Legislation designed to reduce property tax bills for Illinois seniors is now law.

The bill raises the homestead exemption for Illinois residents age 65 and older from $4,000 to $5,000. Gov. Pat Quinn signed it into law Tuesday. The move could save seniors roughly $200 a year.

Quinn Asks for FEMA Help with Flood Assessments

Whitney Jones — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:42:45 +0000

Gov. Pat Quinn has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help with flood damage assessments in Illinois.

Quinn says the state is working to get federal assistance to help Illinois communities recover from last week's flooding. The assessments start April 29 and provide documentation for Illinois to request federal help.

Quinn Continues Tour of Flooded Illinois Areas

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:26:13 +0000

Gov. Pat Quinn is touring areas hit hard by the floods and has declared 44 Illinois counties as disaster areas.

The designation means expanded access to emergency resources. Sunday, Quinn visited Marseilles, where more than 200 people have been evacuated along with 60 nursing home residents. An elementary school has also been closed.

Quinn Issues Emergency Declaration After Illinois Flooding

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:09:30 +0000

Gov. Pat Quinn has issued an emergency declaration following the flooding and severe weather affecting areas across Illinois yesterday.

The action allows the state to access federal resources including generators, pump systems sandbags and additional funds. It is a step below a disaster emergency declaration.

Quinn says the American Red Cross has opened two shelters in north central Illinois. One is in Oglesby and another in Roanoke.

Quinn Says Filing Last-Minute Taxes is OK

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:24:07 +0000

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says there's nothing wrong with waiting until the last minute to file tax returns.

Quinn says in the past he has even been guilty of coming right up against the deadline. Today is the final day to file 2012 tax returns. Quinn says paying taxes isn’t fun, but it's the price of living in a democracy.

Quinn Fights Budget Override

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:35:07 +0000

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn wants the House of Representatives to spend money on children, not outdated prisons. Quinn continues to try to divert money from prisons to child-protection services after the Senate rejected the attempt made there. The state Senate voted 35 to 16 to reject Quinn’s $57 million cuts.

Illinois' Governor Urges Food Bank Support

Dave Shinall and The Associated Press — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 17:00:43 +0000

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn reminds state residents to support food banks during the holiday season and throughout the year. Quinn's office says there are eight food banks around the state and, according to Feeding Illinois, there are more than 1.9 million people in the state who don't have access to nutritious food. Quinn urges people to volunteer at food banks in their communities and donate to them.

Vaught Retires from Director of IL DCEO

Whitney Jones and The Associated Press — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 14:23:01 +0000

The director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is retiring from full-time employment with the state. 65 year-old David Vaught retired Wednesday. His retirement came after an Illinois Inspector General’s Office report that found abuses of hiring laws at DCEO. It also criticized the DCEO for failing to adequately review appointees’ qualifications.