* Use the comment section to live-blog, offer instant analysis on the speech, or predict how the address helps or hurts Gov. Quinn, Dan Hynes, the Republicans, etc.
The address begins at noon. You can find a live feed at the GA’s website or at numerous other TV and radio sites.
I’ll try to update this post with any big news, but I’m going to be pretty busy, so help everybody out in comments if you can. Thanks and have fun.
• 12:08 pm - Quinn is speaking from notes, not a prepared text. And it shows. Repeating thoughts and words.
• Quinn said he wants IL to be an “inland port” and talked about improving transportation infrastructure during the past year and in the coming year.
• Some news would be nice.
Keep in mind that 99.9% of Illinoisans won’t watch this speech. His coveraged is based on new proposals, new ideas. So far, this is all retreaded press conference material.
• 40 minutes into the speech and absolutely no new ideas have come out of his mouth. No new plans for government, the economy, nuthin.
• “I do believe we need more revenue” - a gingerly reference to his tax hike hopes.
• Now he’s throwing DoC director Randle under the bus… But said the buck stopped with him, as in Quinn. Says he wants “clear rules” for prison policy. Not a lot of explanation about what those rules would be. He did talk about examining the issue of sentencing for non-violent offenders “who still must be punished.”
• End. Lots of syrupy sentiment, including when he cried at the end (the news). But there were no new ideas and little vision.