Local officials applaud tone Quinn has set since taking oath

February 15, 2009

By Kelly Wilson

Local politicians who surrounded Gov. Pat Quinn on Saturday during his first visit to Quincy as governor all agreed about one thing.

Quinn, who replaced impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Jan. 29, has restored integrity to the office and is working hard to restore Illinois' credibility.

"It is a new era here in the state of Illinois," said state Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville.

Sullivan recalled the day Blagojevich was removed from office, the somber mood at the capitol. But when Quinn took the oath of office within hours, "the atmosphere ... was optimism and enthusiasm and almost sheer joy."

He said it is refreshing to have a governor who cares about the people of Illinois and wants to do what's right.

State Rep. Jil Tracy, R-Mount Sterling, was the lone Republican participating in Saturday's news conference. She, too, had high praise for Quinn.

"I feel better about Illinois already," Tracy said. She said she was impressed when Quinn opened up the governor's mansion for the public for an open house Feb. 12.

"Thank you for setting the tone that you want to be in Springfield," she said.

"We're going to have more of those open houses," Quinn said.

Quincy Mayor John Spring has known Quinn for many years, and "believe me, we've got a man of integrity and a people's person. I know there are better days ahead for all of us."

Former Mayor Chuck Scholz also praised Quinn for his commitment to Western Illinois.

"I don't think there's another statewide official who has been to Western Illinois as often as Pat Quinn," Scholz said.

Quinn assured those in attendance that he would continue to be a strong voice for downstate Illinois and to work hard for people in all parts of the state.

"We're going forward," Quinn said. "It's very important to do that in Illinois, the Land of Lincoln."