Governor Pat Quinn wants the Illinois Senate to take another look at his picks for who should sit on Southern Illinois University's Board of Trustees.
In a rare move last month, state senators profoundly rejected three individuals Quinn nominated for the board. None of the nominees received even a single "yes" vote.
At an appearance in Springfield Tuesday, the Governor said he was disappointed in how the Senate treated his picks.
"We have to understand that SIU, with two campuses, both in Edwardsville and Carbondale, they're very, very important to our state. They're economic engines. But they're also places where people learn. And I think it's important that all the people of our state support Southern Illinois University."
But it's unlikely that will happen.
The Senate President's spokeswoman confirms the chamber has no plans to reconsider its vote. She says Senators view the issue as "closed."
That could force Quinn to come up with new nominations.
The SIU appointments have exposed a political fissure between Quinn and legislators. Some Senators have complained the governor is trying to micro manage the board.
There's also a regional issue. Legislators from the Metro East - where SIU's Edwardsville campus is located - say they deserve equal representation on the board. SIU's main campus is in Carbondale.
The rejected appointees are Sandra Cook of Collinsville, Lee Milner of Springfield and Dr. Melvin Terrell of Chicago.
