50 days on the job for Quinn

Gov. Pat Quinn likes to keep count of how many days it's been since he replaced his disgraced predecessor Rod Blagojevich.

Friday was his 50th day in office and he reflected on his new job during an event in Chicago.

He called it the "challenge of a lifetime in a crisis of a lifetime."

Earlier this week, Quinn proposed a budget that includes raising the Illinois income tax to help close an $11.5 billion deficit. He's got a tough road ahead to persuade lawmakers to go along with his plan.

Quinn inherited the state's money troubles when Blagojevich was impeached and removed from office on Jan. 29.

Quinn also offered some lighter observations about his new gig.

When he's in Springfield, Quinn lives at the Executive Mansion, a step up from his house on Chicago's West Side. And Quinn also raves about the food the mansion serves.