Pat Quinn Names Ryan Scandal Victim, Northwestern Football Coach To Ethics Panel

Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn named the members of his ethics commission, "Reform Illinois Now," Friday.

Among those appointed are the Rev. Scott Willis, whose six children were killed in a car accident that eventually led to the downfall of former Gov. George Ryan; Pat Fitzgerald, the head football coach at Northwestern; Hanke Gratteau, a former managing editor of the Chicago Tribune; recently-elected Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, and Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman. Patrick Collins, the former Assistant U.S. Attorney who led the government's prosecution of Ryan, is the panel's Chair.

The creation of the reform group is just one of many steps Quinn is taking to prepare should impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich be removed from office.

From the AP:

Impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich still has his job, but it's Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn who's meeting with the state's other top elected leaders.

When Quinn was in Springfield for lawmakers' swearing-in earlier this week, he invited the other top constitutional officers to his office to talk.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Comptroller Dan Hynes and Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias were there. Secretary of State Jesse White couldn't make it because of another commitment.

Quinn said Friday the meeting lasted about 20 minutes was about the "state of affairs in Illinois." He said they talked about the state's financial problems.

Quinn says they all agreed they want to stay in close communication with each other during this tough time for the state.

Comments

[ObiW]

They laughed at Quinn when he tried to put a 'recall' button on ballot. He won't have that problem now. He's going to finish Blago's term & then they'll find a way to install Lisa Madigan as governor. Love that new Illinois software!! LOL!!

[CNNGuy]

Welcome to Illinois..­..still open for bribes!

[Vazzman]

Sounds fishey backroom negotiations i can bet Giannoulias runs for governor next we need to clean up Illinois politics somehow were reporters there.Hmm! same o same o

[Tinsdale]

Lt. Governor Quinn seems to be an ethical man. An aberration in Illinois politics. We can only hope that the force be with him and the reform panel. They have a daunting task.

[sidehide]

I kinda like Quinn he is as much a activist as we can get in IL
check his history..

[Kinker]

Sounds like a good start. At the moment, I'm looking at Quinn sideways, people I know who know things don't like him. I've always kind of liked him. I hope he does well. I like his choices.