Legislative Failures Could Hurt Quinn in 2014 Bid

The Illinois Legislature's failure to act on the pension crisis could cause problems for Gov. Pat Quinn's re-election bid.

Quinn has said fixing Illinois' nearly $100 billion pension shortfall is his top priority. He also wanted lawmakers to legalize same-sex marriage and approve restrictions on high-capacity ammunition magazines.

But the Legislature adjourned Friday without sending those measures to the governor's desk.

Political analyst Don Rose says it was a missed opportunity for Quinn. He says the Chicago Democrat needed some wins to boost his low approval ratings before the 2014 election.

Gov. Pat Quinn vowed to call legislative leaders together in the next week to come up with a fix for the state's $97 billion pension crisis.

Quinn also expressed disappointment after lawmakers left without voting on the bill to legalize same-sex marriage, which he's hoped to sign since it was passed by the state's Senate on Valentine's Day.

"This is not over," he said. "The fight goes on. We will keep on fighting until marriage equality is law in Illinois."

Quinn's challengers already are lining up. Republican state Treasurer Dan Rutherford announced Sunday he's running for governor. He criticized Quinn's leadership on the pension issue.

Quinn Spokeswoman Brooke Anderson says the governor will keep fighting for a solution.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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