New governor opens mansion to public

SPRINGFIELD -- Wrapping up his second week in office, Gov. Pat Quinn threw open the doors of Illinois' Executive Mansion to the public.

Hundreds of people stood in line Thursday afternoon for a chance to tour the mansion and shake Quinn's hand.

A line of people snaked around the metal fence surrounding the mansion, up the driveway, into the house and around a winding staircase to the second floor, where Quinn was receiving the guests.

Quinn became governor when fellow Democrat, Rod Blagojevich, was ousted by impeachment conviction. Blagojevich garnered scorn for refusing to move his family to live in the mansion. Quinn embraced it right away.

Quinn said it was a privilege and an honor living in the mansion. He said it should be a building to where people can come to see a special place.