Quigley backs Quinn for governor

In something short of a political surprise, Democratic 5th District U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley endorsed Gov. Pat Quinn Monday.

"For me, the best indication of future behavior is past performance," Quigley said. Citing Quinn's record of reform going back to the formation of the Citizens Utility Board and beyond, Quigley said, "He was a reformer long before I was called the lone reformer in Cook County."

Quigley established himself as a reformer while a commissioner on the Cook County Board before winning the election to replace Rahm Emanuel in Congress earlier this year. The 5th District extends across Chicago's North side to the Near Northwest and Near West suburbs.

Quigley said that, given the state's problems with political corruption, Quinn was the candidate of the moment, in that Illinois is "becoming ungovernable, because we've lost the people's trust," adding, "I believe Gov. Quinn is regaining the public's trust."

In acknowledging that his endorsement of Quinn was all but a forgone conclusion, Quigley added it was not meant to dismiss Quinn's main Democratic opponent, Comptroller Dan Hynes. "To me, it was a positive," Quigley said, "not in any way a negative about Mr. Hynes at all."

Both Quinn and Quigley insisted there was no hypocrisy in backing each other, while also seeking the endorsements of big union groups and party regulars like the Cook County Democratic Central Committee.

"We're both independent Democrats," Quinn said, emphasizing the latter.

Quigley again insisted a reform politician is not a "ninja fighter" going it alone.

"You have to build coalitions in a state that has been ethically challenged for some time. That is tougher than you think," Quigley said. "In the end, you have to have victories. You have to get things done. Otherwise, you're not being successful."