Hynes blasts Quinn for early release program

The controversial early release of state prisoners under Gov. Pat Quinn underscores his inability to lead, argues primary challenger Comptroller Dan Hynes.

"All of this is not instilling a lot of confidence in this governor," Hynes told the Daily Herald editorial board Monday. "I think people are rightfully concerned."

The Chicago Democrat has called the early release policy a "potential immediate safety risk to communities across Illinois."

Quinn would not say Monday whether he authorized the policy or whether it was implemented unilaterally by the state's prison director. But he has suspended the rules and ordered an internal review.

"The director of Corrections has broad authority, broad discretion," Quinn said. "Having said that, I'm the governor, I make the final decisions. If I feel that something needs to be looked at and reviewed, that's the way it will be."

More than 850 inmates - including some violent offenders as well as repeat drunk drivers, drug abusers and people convicted on weapons violations - were released weeks early under the unpublicized policy since September, according to an Associated Press report.

That happened because the state Corrections Department abandoned a policy that all prisoners serve at least 61 days and gave inmates months of good-time credit upfront.

Hynes criticized Quinn Monday for not saying whether he authorized the policy change.

"I don't know which is more troubling, if he did know about it and he approved it or if he didn't know about it," Hynes said. "We need answers."

The three-term comptroller is one of three Democratic primary challengers to Quinn, who took office after the ouster of Rod Blagojevich early this year. The other candidates include Oak Park lawyer Ed Scanlan and William Walls of Chicago.

Hynes' campaign has focused on attacking Quinn's leadership ability, singling out instances of flip-flopping over his rocky 11 months in office.

"A lot of the decisions he has been making have been primarily driven by keeping this office," Hynes said. "We have ... one politically expedient thing he has done after another."

Hynes cited Quinn's back-and-forth positions on campaign finance legislation, tax hike particulars and firing employees held over from Blagojevich's administration.

Calling Hynes an armchair quarterback, Quinn has defended his leadership, saying he is trying to negotiate with lawmakers.

Meanwhile on Monday, four Democratic lieutenant governor candidates also blasted the early prison release policy recently exposed under Quinn.

"That is crazy," said state Rep. Mike Boland of East Moline at a separate editorial board interview. "If you commit a crime, you have to serve some time."

Lieutenant governor candidates state Sen. Terry Link of Waukegan, Chicago businessman Scott Cohen and Elmhurst electrician Thomas Castillo were also critical.

The winner of the lieutenant governor primary will end up on a single ticket with the winner of the governor primary for the general election.

Link was perhaps the least verbose in his critique, saying Quinn "has to answer what happened."

Castillo called it "a misstep."

Cohen said the policy put public safety in "jeopardy."

Also running for lieutenant governor on the Democratic side are state Rep. Art Turner of Chicago and state Sen. Rickey Hendon of Chicago.

The primary is Feb. 2.

• Daily Herald news services and senior state government editor John Patterson contributed to this report.