Departing Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has granted 43 clemency petitions in his final moments as Illinois governor, including his second pardon based on innocence.
The Chicago Democrat's office announced the news Monday as Republican Governor-elect Bruce Rauner's inauguration was underway in Springfield. Quinn denied 119 petitions. The cases date back to 2003 dockets. The list of those granted clemency wasn't immediately available. Quinn says he's acted on more petitions than recent governors. He inherited a backlog of thousands of cases from predecessor ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Quinn's office says he's nearly eliminated the backlog, but there was a rise in new petitions. Overall, he considered nearly 5,000 clemency petitions. Rauner will inherit more than 1,800 lingering petitions. Those granted clemency underwent recent background checks.
Quinn has also signed legislation regulating drivers in the ride-sharing industry. Quinn issued a news release Monday as inauguration ceremonies were underway in Springfield for Republican Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner. The plan Quinn approved creates statewide regulations for drivers working for ride-sharing services that connect passengers with drivers who use their own personal vehicles to give rides. It includes modified insurance requirements, background checks and a zero-tolerance policy on drugs and alcohol. Quinn had vetoed earlier ride-sharing legislation.
Quinn handed out some prestigious appointments to staff members on his way out the door. Quinn appointed Tumia Romero to an $85,900-a-year Prisoner Review Board seat on Monday. Romero had made $113,000 as assistant labor director. Romero formerly worked for Democratic U.S. Rep. Danny Davis. She says there she played key roles in developing ex-offender legislation and programs. Sean Vinck - who made $120,000 as the state's chief information officer - received a $20,000 post on the Clean Energy Commission Foundation Board. It's a private foundation that doles out energy-efficiency grants. Human Services Secretary Michelle Saddler was appointed to the Teachers' Retirement System board. It oversees public-school instructors' pensions. Vinck and Saddler did not respond to requests for comment. In all, governor Quinn signed and vetoed several laws, granted 43 clemency petitions and made 100 appointments to state boards and commissions during his final hours in office.
