Quinn Leaves Office As Rauner Takes Over in Springfield

Jim Anderson -- Illinois Radio Network

For the first time in 16 years, an Illinois governor is leaving office and not heading into prison.

Pat Quinn wakes up this morning as governor, but he’ll go to bed tonight as a private citizen, after Bruce Rauner is inaugurated. Quinn is offering some last words to his successor and others taking control in Springfield: Be mindful of the future – don’t just cash in your chips.

“What America is all about, the history of our country, is that parents and adults sacrifice some of their present in order to help their children’s future. We’re a future-oriented society,” he said.

Quinn also urged them to have courage and to listen to regular people.

Quinn is not leaving voluntarily; he was tossed out by the voters. That hadn’t happened in 38 years, when Dan Walker – a Quinn mentor – lost the Democratic primary.