Pat Quinn and the People
Pat Quinn has been sending mixed messages.
On Tuesday, December 9, Chicago Public Radio reported: “Blagojevich is still the governor of Illinois. And that means he has the power to appoint someone to fill President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant U.S. Senate seat. Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn says the legislature has to change that.” ("State Legislature plans to strip Blagojevich's appointment power," WBEZ, December 9, 2008)
However on Thursday, December 11, Quinn apparently reversed course and the Associated Press reported: “Quinn said if he ascends to governor he would make one of his first orders of business the selection of a new U.S. Senator to fill the vacancy caused by the departure of President-elect Barack Obama.” ("Quinn; Impeach Blagojevich," Associated Press, December 11, 2008)
Yet, on the very same day, Quinn contradicted himself again by saying on the Today Show; “In general…[I’m] for the voters deciding who the next senator will be.” ("Ill. lawmakers mull bill to defy governor," USA Today, December 11, 2008)
Quinn’s opposition to the people having a voice is a new one. He has made a political career out of fighting to ensure that the voice of the people is heard. He has seldom encountered a referendum he did not like, and he frequently evangelizes about the importance of the ballot initiative. Below is a short timeline of the referendums Lt. Governor Quinn has suggested, supported, or spearheaded.
Quinn Referendum Timeline
Quinn supported 22 votes of the people
1980 - Referendum to cut the size of the State Legislature by 1/3.
Quinn 'has mellowed,' ready to be gov: ex-critics; Some embrace former outsider despite flaws, Chicago Sun Times, December 11, 2008
1983 - Advisory Referendum on creating a Citizens Utility Board.
LT. GOV. QUINN LAUDS 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF CITIZENS UTILITY BOARD REFERENDUM, State News Service, March 27, 2008
1990 - Advisory Referendum to create a Financial Consumer Association to fight for lower service charges and fees from banks, savings and loan associations, and currency exchanges.
QUINN BACKS MONITORING OF BANK CHARGES, St Louis Post-Dispatch, October 5, 1990
1993 - Referendum to impose term limits on certain Illinois State offices.
Quinn Favors Limits On Terms -- for Others, Chicago Sun Times, October 22, 1993
1994 - Referendum to expand riverboat gambling to Chicago.
Orr, Quinn Seek Riverboat Vote, Chicago Sun Times, April 26, 1994
1997 - Supported allowing Cook County voters to pass or repeal laws by ballot referendum.
Ex-official pushes louder voter voice; Referendums would be vehicle, Chicago Sun Times, January 6, 1997
1997 - Supported a constitutional amendment to force consideration of a bill if citizens gathered enough signatures in support of it.
Bill could force lawmakers to tackle reforms Amendment would give people more power, State Journal-Register, February 13, 1997
1998 – Referendum to create a Patients’ Bill of Rights
Quinn peddles sour grapes in anti-Ryan effort, Chicago Sun Times, May 3, 2000
1999 - Advisory Referendum on providing universal healthcare.
'Bernardin Amendment' wins in 27 Illinois communities, Associated Press, April 14, 1999
1999 - Referendum to provide for the election of utilities regulators and require roll call votes in the State Legislature.
Quinn collecting signatures to put amendments on ballot, Copley News Service, September 21, 1999
2000 - Advisory Referendum on recalling Governor George Ryan.
Quinn urges voters to push governor out -- this year, Chicago Sun Times, March 6, 2000
2000 - Referendum to block renovation of Soldier Field.
Clerk rules no referendum on stadium, Chicago Sun Times, December 17, 2000
2001 - Referendum to limit property tax assessment increases and to create an elected office of "Taxpayer advocate" in Cook County.
Cook County property tax reform pushed, Chicago Daily Herald, October 4, 2001
2002 - Advisory Referendum to create a "September 11 Health Fund" to help protect against biological attacks.
Tobacco money for biohazard protection?, Chicago Daily Herald, March 14, 2002
2004 - Referendum to offer free municipal broadband in the Tri-cities.
Quinn backs broadband bid, Chicago Daily Herald, October 22, 2004
2004 - Advisory Referendum on doubling the state income tax on top 2% of earners to pay for property tax relief and education.
Referendum bolsters Quinn's tax proposal, Chicago Daily Herald, March 18, 2004
2007 - Advisory Referendum to raise the state cigarette tax.
Cigarette tax idea snuffed, The Pantagraph, August 31, 2006
2007 - Advisory Referendum on raising the state minimum wage.
Cook voters face three referendums at polls, Chicago Daily Herald, October 29, 2006
2007 - Referendum on expanding gambling.
Quinn wants referendum on gambling expansion, Associated Press, December 17, 2007
2008 - Advisory Referendum on fully funding veteran's care.
QUINN JOINS ILLINOIS VETERANS TO ANNOUNCE MORE THAN ONE MILLION VOTES CALLING FOR PASSAGE OF FEDERAL LAW MANDATING FULL FUNDING OF VETERANS' HEALTH CARE, State News Service, February 10, 2008
2008 – Supported a constitutional amendment to allow for recall of certain elected officials.
Recall legislation moves forward, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 30, 2008
2008 - Referendum to call a State Constitutional Convention.
Pat Quinn on Referendums and the voice of the People:
"Part of what I want to do and what government should do is to make sure we aren't here for our own sake or for bureaucracy's sake. We are here for everyday people and we want everyday people to have a better voice in their government."
A look at Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, Associated Press, March 21, 2003
"The people who ought to decide the future are the people who live in the community"
Quinn backs broadband bid, Chicago Daily Herald, October 22, 2004
"The power of referendum is a way to wake up the insiders as to what the people are concerned about”
Power of the people not as strong in Illinois, Chicago Daily Herald, November 28, 2004
“In general…[I’m] for the voters deciding who the next senator will be.”
"Ill. lawmakers mull bill to defy governor," USA Today, December 11, 2008
Why does a man who clearly believes in allowing the voters the maximum possible voice in government now want to take that voice away in selecting Illinois’ new Senator?
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