Illinois State Chamber of Commerce chief Doug Whitley is sticking by — and even extending — his warm sentiments about Gov. Pat Quinn, a Democrat.
And that could be a big problem for GOP nominee Bill Brady if it translates into an actual endorsement for Mr. Quinn when the chamber board decides that later this summer.
Mr. Whitley’s first comments, as I reported yesterday, came at a press event at which he said Mr. Quinn was “on a roll” with his support for a new telecom law, pension reform and a revamp of the McCormick Place convention center.
The remarks caught my eye because, in fact, Mr. Quinn nearly scuttled the McCormick Place bill, issuing an amendatory veto designed in part to placate concerns from convention unions. The General Assembly ended up overriding the veto after major trade shows threatened to leave town.
Last evening, Mr. Whitley finally returned my call, and made it clear that his admiration of what the newbie governor has done is quite real.
“I always tell it the way it is. I think the governor has been doing very positive things,” said Mr. Whitley, who a little over a year ago at this time was considering running for governor himself — as a Republican.
Mr. Quinn obviously has had problems in some areas, like balancing the state’s budget, Mr. Whitley said. But next week, the governor is expected to sign a biz-backed bill extending the state’s research tax credit, he continued.
Overall, “Pat Quinn is such a breath of fresh air after Rod Blagojevich,” Mr. Whitley concluded. ”He’s doing things.”
Breath of fresh air?
Mr. Brady’s spokeswoman, asked for a comment, termed Mr. Quinn “Rod Blagojevich’s running mate, lieutenant governor and partner. . . .The (Blagojevich) decision-makers are still calling the shots.”
When the chamber board finally hears from the candidates and reviews their records, “We’ll get a favorable response,” she predicted.
Perhaps so. But I wouldn’t assume anything at this point.
Both candidates are to talk at a chamber luncheon in Chicago on Friday. Bring your bibs.
Read the original article from Stateline.org.