Quinn and Running Mate Simon Come to the U of I Urbana Campus

Governor Pat Quinn is touting the record of a running mate whose only prior experience in public office was on the Carbondale City Council.

In a room full of supporters at the University of Illinois' Illini Union Monday... the Governor cited Sheila Simon's record as a prosecutor and teacher, and her stance on ethics in government. Urbana was an afternoon stop on a six-city flyaround for Quinn and Simon.

Quinn also says it was important for Democrats to select a Lieutenant Governor candidate who understands environmental issues.

"Sheila's going to be chairperson of the Rural Affairs Council when she's elected lieutenant governor", says Quinn. "And I think we should have somebody from downstate Illinois, who understands rural Illinois and understands agriculture."

Sheila Simon has known Quinn for more than 25 years... and says becoming the Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor was an easy decision.

"I measure him the way my folks taught me to measure people in government service" says Simon. "Are they someone who puts the needs of other people ahead of their own? And that fits Pat Quinn to a T. He's someone who I respect greatly. He's someone who is straightforward and tackles problems even when it's the unpopular thing to do."

Simon cites the recent passage of a pension reform measure in Springfield as one example.

Simon says Quinn's priorities are her priorities ... including getting Illinois' budget in order and job creation.

The daughter of the late US Senator Paul Simon is a law professor at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.