It's been 482 days since Quinn said he was "put on earth" to fix Illinois pensions

Old State Capitol. Springfield

It's State Fair time in Springfield, Illinois. Today was supposed to be Governor's Day at the fairgrounds, but Gov. Pat Quinn, a Chicago Democrat, has cancelled it. The fair is still on, but the longstanding gubernatorial day is off.

Quinn infamously declared--482 days ago--that he was "put on earth" to rescue Illinois' woefully underfunded pension system. He hasn't. But Quinn has suspended the pay of state legislators until they fix the pension system--which of course he was sent to earth to do.

Last year Quinn was heckled by public-sector union members who are unwilling to compromise on pension reform. The goons were probably bused in, but this year Big Labor wouldn't have had to bother with such an effort. At last month's Stanley Cup victory rally, Quinn was given a loud boo-vation by Chicago Blackhawks fans at what was otherwise a happy occasion.

Technorati tags: Patrick Quinn pat quinn government illinois politics illinois news Chicago sports blackhawks chicago blackhawks blackhawks nhl hockey