Through the Council of Great Lakes Governors, the region is now setting the pace in the global marketplace and protecting the world's largest single source of fresh water.

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Governor Pat Quinn - Illinois

Quinn became Governor of Illinois on January 29, 2009. Quinn grew up in Hinsdale and graduated in 1967 from Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois. Quinn is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Law and holds an international economics degree from Georgetown University.

Since 1975, Quinn has organized petition drives for consumer protection laws, tax reform and citizen empowerment. He spearheaded the 1983 drive to create the Citizens Utility Board. In 2001, he walked across Illinois, from the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan, to raise awareness of the need to provide decent health care for everyone.

Quinn was elected Commissioner of the Cook County Board of Property Tax Appeals in 1982 and served as Revenue Director for the City of Chicago. Quinn served as Illinois State Treasurer from 1991 to 1995, where he cut his office’s budget each year and earned taxpayers $848 million in investment income.

Quinn was elected Lieutenant Governor November 2002 and was re-elected Lieutenant on Nov. 7, 2006. His priorities included advocating for taxpayers and consumers, protecting the environment, promoting decent health care, and helping members of the armed services and their families.

Quinn is the father of two sons, Patrick IV and David.