Community Corner

No More 'Mr. Clean' for Gov. Quinn

Gov. Pat Quinn used to be known for his squeaky-clean image, but two recent investigations have changed that.

Following two former Illinois governors who eventually went to prison, including one who was arrested while in office, Pat Quinn put forth an image as "Mr. Clean," someone who would clean up state government.

But recent investigations of patronage hiring at the Illinois Department of Transportation and the disappearing grant money for Quinn's neighborhood anti-violence project have ruined that image of Quinn as Mr. Clean.

And Chicago Tribune cartoonist Scott Stantis captures that perfectly.

But despite the loss of his clean image, Quinn still has a good chance to win in November because he has an ace up his sleeve: President Barack Obama.

According to one study of the past century, candidates for governor in the sitting President's home state who share the same political party win their election 80 percent of the time. That applies this year to Quinn, so based on data from the past 100 years, Quinn has a four-in-five chance of winning reelection.

» This article appears on all Patch Chicago sites. The views expressed in this post are those of Reboot Illinois and do not reflect those of Patch or its editors.

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