Democrat lieutenant governor hopefuls dig at early release program
A majority of Democrats running for lieutenant governor were critical of Gov. Pat Quinn's early release prison program Monday even though they could end up running on a ticket with him next year.
"That is crazy," said state Rep. Mike Boland of East Moline.
Quinn has shutdown the early release program in question after revelations in the media that prisoners were being cut loose after serving just few days of sentences for crimes like repeat drunken driving, drug possession and weapons violations.
Quinn says the program is now under review.
"If you commit a crime, you have to serve some time," Boland added. "You have to have some sort of punishment."
Other lieutenant governor candidates to criticize the early releases exposed by the Associated Press Monday were state Sen. Terry Link of Waukegan, Chicago businessman Scott Cohen and Elmhurst electrician Thomas Castillo.
Link was perhaps the least verbose in his critique, saying Quinn "has to answer what happened."
Castillo called it "a misstep."
"I'm sure they had good intentions," he said. "They just wound up getting the wrong people out of jail."
Cohen said the apparent cost-cutting move put public safety in "jeopardy." "It is wrong," he said.
Two other Democrats are running for the lieutenant governor post: state Rep. Art Turner of Chicago and state Sen. Rickey Hendon of Chicago. They are scheduled to meet with the Daily Herald editorial board in the coming days.
The winner of the Feb. 2 Democratic primary will appear on the general election ballot with the winner of the primary for governor. Quinn faces three challengers, including Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes of Chicago.
Meanwhile, Cohen revealed Monday that he plans to spend up to $3 million of his own money to win the post.
Link, Castillo and Bond balked.
"I'm not even going to come close to that," said Link, a veteran Lake County lawmaker. "That is ludicrous for an office of this size."
The lieutenant governor's position has no authority other than what is delegated to it from the governor. The lieutenant governor becomes governor if the incumbent state executive is ousted, resigns or incapacitated as was illustrated by Pat Quinn's rise to upon Rod Blagojevich's ouster in January.
Boland said of Cohen's spending, "Donate the money to charity or something."
Cohen responded, "When elected I can do more for the people than just donate to some charity."
Cohen defended his spending further, saying "I'm not buying the election. I'm putting my money where my mouth is."