Quinn touts agencies’ roles in housing recovering

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Pat Quinn has played up programs that help veterans get housing and state agencies’ work in helping Illinois recover from the housing crash.

The Chicago Democrat spoke Monday before the Illinois Housing Leaders Conference in Springfield. He says the key to the economic recovery is the housing market.

Quinn spoke shortly after Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who played up her office’s efforts in advocating for homeowners.

In 2011, Madigan and federal officials announced a $335 million national settlement with Bank of America subsidiary Countrywide over allegations of discriminatory loans. Madigan is mulling a 2014 gubernatorial run, which would mean challenging Quinn in a Democratic primary. She says she hasn’t made a decision yet.

Quinn declined to talk about the governor’s race.