Pat Quinn
Patrick Joseph Quinn III is a former Democratic governor of Illinois. He became governor on January 29, 2009 following the impeachment of previous governor, Rod Blagojevich.
Washington cricism of Quinn
Chicago Mayor Harold Washington’s blistering 1987 criticism of Pat Quinn.
“I would never appoint Pat Quinn to do anything,” Mayor Washington said at the time. “Pat Quinn is a totally and completely undisciplined individual who thinks this government is nothing but a large easel on which to do his PR work.”
Mayor Washington had hired Quinn to be the city revenue director but fired him eight months later.
“He was dismissed; he should’ve been dismissed,” Mayor Washington continued at the time. “My only regret is that we hired him and kept him too long.”[1]
IPA endorsement
As Chicago Democratic Socialists of America's representative to Illinois Public Action, Ron Baiman drove to Peoria for the IPA's 20th annual convention, held on the weekend of December 8th and 9th, 1995. Illinois Public Action is the Illinois affiliate of Citizen Action.
The conference had to choose between endorsing two candidates for the US Senate. They heard from Dick Durbin, the Congressman from the 20th District, endorsed by Paul Simon, and a representative from Patrick Quinn's campaign. The Quinn / Durbin endorsement choice was the major issue of the board. Durbin ultimately got the endorsement despite Dr. Quentin Young's eloquent speech in favor of Quinn.[2]
Working with communists to Lower Gas Bills
In the winter of 2001, the gas bills for heating Chicago homes rose. Members of Bea Lumpkin's South Side Communist Club were angry too when they saw their huge gas bills. We agreed, anger is not useful unless it leads to effective action.
So on February 7, 2001, the Communist club took the first step to start the fightback. They talked to their coalition partners and together acted fast. Within a week they had a rally of 130 people to demand lower gas prices.
On February 13, 2001, USWA and Save Our Jobs Committee co-sponsored a rally in the steel union hall in South Chicago. They formed a new group, "Angry Utility Consumers." They included presidents of three USWA locals, Bea Lumpkin , Frank Lumpkin of Save Our Jobs Committee, Katie Jordan of Chicago Coalition of Labor Union Women; community leaders included Rev. Winfield Phillips, Free Salvation Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Bill Hogan, Saint Bride Roman Catholic Church, and many block club presidents and members.
The next month (March) they brought a busload of protesters to a demonstration against Peoples Gas, a company owned by Peoples Energy. The company claimed they were not profiting from the rise in gas prices. At a later date, the Illinois attorney general proved the company had lied. Peoples Gas was forced to pay back the overcharge to their gas customers.
That demonstration was organized by Pat Quinn, later elected Illinois lieutenant governor. He became governor after Rod Blagojevich was removed. Other community groups came from Bridgeport, Back of the Yards (stockyards) and South Austin. That same evening, at our coalition strategy meeting, they were joined by State Senator Donne Trotter, who was asked to introduce a bill to extend the moratorium on gas shutoffs until the gas crisis ended. He promised to "look into" it. [3]
After changing its name to the more positive Utility Consumers United for Justice, on April 12th, , the group joined with Rev. Al Sampson and Pat Quinn to present a combined 12,000 petition signatures asking the Illinois Commerce Commission for relief. These demands included a 150-day moratorium on gas shutoffs. But the commission, appointed by the governor, failed to act. [4]
Quinn appointment
In April 2009 Illinois Gov. Quinn appointed Dr. Quentin Young, as Chairman of the scandal-plagued Health Facilities Planning Board[5].
Citizen Action honor
In September at the Citizen Action/Illinois Annual Dinner, Governor Pat Quinn received the 2009 Lerner-Egan Award for his progressive leadership and commitment to social change.[6]
Communist funeral
On April 24, 2011, Congressmembers Jan Schakowsky and Danny Davis, addressed the funeral service of Communist Party USA member Frank Lumpkin, whose ashes were interred next to the famous Haymarket Memorial in nearby Forest Home Cemetery. Among those who paid tribute to Lumpkin's lifelong work were congresspeople, state legislators, the governor of Illinois Pat Quinn, union and community leaders.
Communist Party leaders in attendance included Scott Marshall, Roberta Wood, Pepe Lozano, Rudy Lozano, Jr. and Jarvis Tyner.[7]
IVI-IPO "Mobilizing for Justice" dinner
Robin Kelly keynoted the Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization's "Mobilizing for Justice" Independents' Day Dinner 2013, Friday, July 12.
Governor Pat Quinn also spoke. Len Despres Award Winner was Alderman Leslie Hairston
Jane Ramsey celebrates her Saul Mendelson Social Justice award with Jennie Mendelson, Saul's widow and Civil Right champion and member Timuel Black.[8]
CAIR
“I congratulate CAIR-Chicago on another successful year of serving the needs of the Muslim population in Illinois, and for working toward ensuring justice and civil rights for all the communities you serve.” - Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) (April 2011) .[9]
Tribute to the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 18, 2013, City of Chicago Pays Tribute to the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
27th Annual Interfaith Breakfast Honors Chicagoan Timuel D. Black and Congressman John Lewis for their Lifetime of Service to Civil Rights
This morning, Mayor Rahm Emanuel was joined by Governor Pat Quinn and Senator Dick Durbin at the 27th Annual Interfaith Breakfast to honor and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“There is much to celebrate on this Martin Luther King Day, but we cannot be satisfied with past successes, but must remember our own obligation to carry Dr. King’s mission forward,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Whether we are fighting for strong schools or safer streets, we must begin, as Dr. King began, with the belief ‘that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.’”
Dr. King’s life work represented a steadfast commitment to ensuring and advancing equality for all and the City of Chicago is honoring these ideals by recognizing Timuel D. Black, Jr. as the inaugural recipient of the City of Chicago Champion of Freedom Award for his work as an educator, activist and community leader in the Civil Rights movement.
Civil Rights hero and Congressman John Lewis of Georgia served as keynote speaker, reflecting upon his time as young man marching alongside Dr. King and the need to continue to champion the struggle of human rights in the United States, whether in Congress or in our communities.[10]
External links
References
- ↑ on Illinois, Rauner’s new TV/radio ads quote Harold Washington blasting Pat Quinn Wednesday, Sep 24, 2014
- ↑ Rallying the Troops in Peoria: Illinois Public Action Convention, New Ground 44, January - February, 1996
- ↑ Joy in the Struggle, Bea Lumpkin, page 220]
- ↑ Joy in the Struggle, Bea Lumpkin, page 222]
- ↑ http://jeffberkowitz.blogspot.com/2009/04/gov-pat-quinn-appoints-dr-quentin-young.html
- ↑ [Cit action annual report, 2009]
- ↑ PWFrank Lumpkin always brings a crowd, by: Peoples World May 14 2010, and included youtube video
- ↑ "Mobilizing for Justice" Independents' Day Dinner 2013, Friday, July 12
- ↑ [https://www.cair.com/images/pdf/What-They-Say-About-CAIR.pdf What They Say About CAIR (October 2014)
- ↑ [https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_releases/2013/january_2013/city_of_chicago_paystributetothelifeofdrmartinlutherkingjr.html Office of the Mayor, January 18, 2013 City of Chicago Pays Tribute to the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr]