Hours before he was removed as Illinois governor, a bitter Rod Blagojevich suggested that his successor, Pat Quinn, had abused the perks of office by traveling "all over the world" in his job as the state's No. 2.
It's true.
Quinn was overseas 10 times in six years as lieutenant governor, but he billed the state for just two of those treks.
In fact, an Associated Press review of the Democrat's travel records show also shows Quinn has never accepted the $32 daily meal allowance for traveling state workers and often pays his own lodging, too -- even when he's on state business.
A few details about overseas travel by Gov. Pat Quinn while he was lieutenant governor:
- December 2003-January 2004, Iraq, paid by Defense Department: Visited Illinois troops and other American forces in Iraq, Qatar and Kuwait.
- February 2006, Japan, paid by Japanese government: Visited USS Kitty Hawk and U.S. Naval Base at Yokosuka; met with Japanese government ministers.
- August 2006, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, paid by Quinn: Visited wounded Illinois troops and their families.
- June 2007, Poland and Germany, paid by Quinn: Traveled with group including mother of an Illinois Marine killed in action. Visited Landstuhl with military veteran Stedman Graham, a writer and businessman.
- September 2007, Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, paid by state: Represented Illinois on trade mission of Midwest U.S.-Japan Association, an organization that promotes ties between the two regions.
- December 2007, Heidelberg and Landstuhl, Germany, paid by Quinn: Encouraged agreement between Heidelberg and Illinois universities and met with Illinois troops, delivered holiday cards from Illinois schoolchildren to Landstuhl patients.
- May 2008, South Korea, paid by Quinn: Toured military bases and the demilitarized zone; met with government officials and attended an international water conference.
- June 2008, Cork, Ireland, travel paid Quinn, lodging by Cork County Council: Initiated academic and business partnerships, met with government ministers, launched partnerships between Cork and Illinois schools.
- July 2008, Israel, paid by Jewish United Fund of Chicago: Visited Israeli cities, including Fassouta, an Arab Christian city with a computer literacy program sponsored by the Jewish United Fund and Chicago's Catholic Archdiocese.
- November 2008, Poland and Landstuhl, paid by state: Attended a ceremony for a Polish citizen and Marine from Bensenville killed in Afghanistan. Delivered Thanksgiving messages from schoolchildren to Landstuhl patients.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
