MARION - Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement on a new proposal - sponsored by Leader Durkin and Leader Radogno - to enact term limits for constitutional officers in Illinois:

"I support this proposed constitutional amendment and have supported term limits since 1994.

"Constitutional amendments have long allowed the power of the people to translate into positive reform for Illinois government. I led the charge to establish term limits for legislators through constitutional amendment in 1994; I successfully established recall for the office of Governor through constitutional amendment in 2010; and I spearheaded the successful effort to reduce the size of the House by constitutional amendment in 1980.

"I hope voters have the chance to consider this constitutional amendment on the ballot."

Rock Island County Democratic Party Chair Doug House today expressed deep disappointment with his counterpart's decision to allow a controversial speaker to headline their party's Lincoln Day Dinner.

"Abraham Lincoln, who stood for unity, would be appalled at the divisive and hateful words expressed by the Rev. Don Johnson," said House.

House issued the following statement this morning:

"On behalf of the Rock Island County Democratic Party, and more importantly on behalf of citizens throughout Rock Island County, I am appalled that the Rock Island County Republican Party would headline a speaker with such extremist and dangerous views.

"The Rev. Johnson's views are so out of touch with the views of mainstream Americans and our county's residents that the Republican Party's own candidate for Governor will not appear with him.

"Today I call on Bobby Schilling, and the Rock Island County Republican Party led by Bill Bloom, to denounce those extremist views. I also think they should do what's right by one of our nation's greatest Presidents - Abraham Lincoln - and cancel the Rev. Johnson's speech.

"Abraham Lincoln, who preached unity, would be appalled at the divisive and hateful words expressed by the Rev. Don Johnson.

"The Rock Island County Democratic Party, which is reflective of the county in which we live, will continue to be inclusive. We Democrats embrace our community's diversity and recognize it as a strength that has built the place we proudly call the Quad Cities."

April 16, 2014

Des Moines - Iowa GOP gubernatorial primary challenger Tom Hoefling today charged that incumbent Governor Terry Branstad and his campaign are deceiving Iowa Republicans about Branstad's ongoing support for the Common Core national standards.

Tom Hoefling said today, "I don't know why they think they can get away with this, frankly. It is obvious to any honest observer that Terry Branstad continues to support Common Core, and that he has done nothing of any real substance in this legislative session to stop it. It is also clear that the Branstad executive order from last October that they constantly cite did nothing to stop the implementation of Common Core. That was, to put it simply, a political smokescreen, and everybody who has looked into this question closely knows it."

Hoefling added, "Support for the Common Core standards, which amount to the final blow against any remaining vestige of local control of our schools, is bad enough. But when the Governor and his campaign staffers go out on the campaign trail and try to deceive the people of this state, that takes things to a whole new level. It is now more than just a disagreement over public policy. It is a question of honesty and integrity."

The Hoefling campaign pointed to a report from the statewide group "Iowans for Local Control," which can be found here:

http://iowansforlocalcontrol.com/2014/01/no-governor-branstad-did-not-reject-the-common-core/

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SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement regarding the Illinois House and Senate's passage of a proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit voter discrimination in Illinois.

The bill is House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 52. It will appear on the ballot in November to be approved by Illinois voters.

"The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy. No voter should have to face the suppression tactics that we see in other states across the nation.

"I commend Speaker Madigan and Senator Raoul for sponsoring this important amendment and congratulate the Illinois House and Senate for its nearly unanimous passage.

"I encourage everyone to support this amendment to our constitution that will protect our democracy."

The proposed amendment states that "No person shall be denied the right to register to vote or to cast a ballot in an election based on race, color, ethnicity, status as a member of a language minority, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or income."