Lt. Governor Quinn Tainted by Blagojevich
Quinn was re-elected alongside the Governor and the help of the Blagojevich campaign fund amidst swirling allegations of corruption
From FriendsofBlago.com:
Who Am I?
Pat Quinn Is The Lieutenant Governor Of Illinois. "Pat Quinn was re-elected Lieutenant Governor on Nov. 7, 2006." (Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn Website, www.standingupforillinois.org, Accessed 12/11/08)
Facts About Me And Blagojevich:
Quinn Was "Quiet About Myriad Investigations Swirling Around Blagojevich's Administration." "[F]or all of his history of seeking publicity for government reforms, Quinn has been quiet about the myriad investigations swirling around Blagojevich's administration." (Susan Kuczka, "Running Mates Run With Purpose," Chicago Tribune, 10/20/06)
What I Say About Blagojevich:
"He's always been a person who's honest and one of integrity…I have confidence the governor does the right thing all the time." (Chicago Daily Herald, October 20, 2006)
Quinn And Rezko:
As Illinois State Treasurer, Quinn's Office Helped Finance An $875,000 Loan To Rezko. "Eight years earlier, during his time as state treasurer, Quinn's office helped to finance a Rezko housing project through a program in which the state places deposits in certain banks that agree to lend money at low interest rates. Rezko got an $875,000 loan through the program." (Susan Kuczka, "Running Mates Run With Purpose," Chicago Tribune, 10/20/06)
"Quinn's Deputy Treasurer, Jack Lavin, Went On To Become Chief Financial Officer Of Rezko Enterprises And Was Recommended To Blagojevich By Rezko For His Current Post As Director Of The Illinois Department Of Economic Opportunity." (Susan Kuczka, "Running Mates Run With Purpose," Chicago Tribune, 10/20/06)
Articles About Me:
"As recently as October 2006, after Tony Rezko's indictment, Quinn was out stumping for Blagojevich. He held news conferences attacking Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka. He said he believed Blagojevich did nothing wrong, despite the Rezko indictment." (Kristin McQueary, "Patty-Come-Lately on Recall" Southtown Star, 5/18/08)
"Now - after widespread public support for recall, after a federal corruption trial involving Blagojevich's pals, after the governor's plummeting poll numbers and gridlock in Springfield - Quinn is stepping gingerly into his old activist boots." (Kristin McQueary, "Patty-Come-Lately on Recall" Southtown Star, 5/18/08)
"But on Blagojevich's failures, Quinn is a late critic. He finally is speaking out, now that he is safely into his second term as lieutenant governor, having bounced along on Blagojevich's coat tails through the 2006 election season and benefitted from the very campaign apparatus under federal scrutiny." (Kristin McQueary, "Patty-Come-Lately on Recall" Southtown Star, 5/18/08)
Important Timeline:
August 27, 2001 - Rod Blagojevich announces his candidacy for Governor railing against "24 years of corruption, mismanagement, and lost opportunities".
April 1, 2002 - Pat Quinn says he is "totally dedicated to electing Rod Blagojevich".
September 20, 2002 - Pat Quinn says the George Ryan scandals have made Illinois "a national laughingstock" and asks the voters "are you proud of your Illinois government today with scandal after scandal?"
October 21, 2002 - Pat Quinn attacks Blagojevich opponent Jim Ryan, accusing him of "dropping the ball" for not investigating George Ryan's corruption.
November 5, 2002 - Rod Blagojevich and Pat Quinn elected.
August 2003 - Beverly Ascaridis begins a job with the state of Illinois, despite failing the hiring exam. Two weeks later, Rod Blagojevich receives a $1,500 check from her husband. Blagojevich claims it was a birthday gift for his seven year old daughter.
December 30, 2005 - US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald publicly announces an investigation into the leasing of concession rights on Illinois tollway oasis. It was later revealed that the contracts had gone to top Blagojevich fundraiser Tony Rezko.
June 30, 2006 - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan receives notice from Patrick Fitzgerald that his office is looking into "very serious allegations of endemic hiring fraud" in Blagojevich's administration.
September 16, 2006 - Pat Quinn says he sees nothing wrong with Blagojevich's 7-year-old daughter receiving a $1,500 check from a man whose wife had just obtained a state job. He also says that "He's [Blagojevich] always been a person who's honest and one of integrity…I have confidence the governor does the right thing all the time."
October 11, 2006 - Blagojevich fundraisers Tony Rezko and Stuart Levine are indicted on charges of scheming to obtain kickbacks from firms seeking state contracts.
November 7, 2006 - Blagojevich and Quinn reelected.
Recall
March 11, 2007 - Andy McKenna, Illinois Republican Party Chairman, introduces the idea of recall to public debate
August, 2007 - Pat Quinn says "me too!" and also calls for recall amendment.
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