WLS: Rep. Mike Quigley on President Obama’s Trip to Springfield
The following interview was aired on WLSs on February 11, 2016. A link to the article can be found here.
John Howell: Yesterday Congressman Mike Quigley, Democrat of Chicago, along with our Senior Senator Dick Durbin and Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth and Congresswoman Robin Kelly flew with the President on Air Force One from Washington to Springfield to listen to the President to talk about the polarization of American politics in 2016, bipartisanship, maybe some reconciliation.
President Obama : There are a lot of Republicans that share the same values, even though they disagree with me on the means to achieve them. I think sometimes my republican colleagues make constructive points about outdated regulations that need to be changed or programs that well intended didn't always work the way they were supposed to.
JH: The overall theme the President talked about for an hour was that we should all come together despite our political differences and try to get something done for the country and that was applauded by one local or state law maker. Listen.
President Obama That doesn't make me a sell-out to my own party.
(Applause)
JH: And that is where I believe and we are going to take this up with Rep. Quigley in a few seconds, but where state rep. Ken Duncan of Chicago stood up and said "Yeah"
President Obama: Well, we'll talk later Duncan. Sit down. (Applause)
JH: We'll start there with Mike Quigley. Good Morning Congressman. How did everybody react? You were there. You saw it. It was kind of an interesting moment when he said "yeah, we'll talk later." He's calling for bipartisanship yet you can hear his irritation. Mr. Duncan, famously the Democrat that denied Mike Madigan the super majority.
Mike Quigley: Well, it was more of an inside joke for Members of the General Assembly; you certainly didn't miss what was taking place there. But, it was an extraordinary day all around. Thanks for having me on by the way.
JH: Well, we're glad to have you on Congressman. It's always nice to talk with you. Nine years to the day, a little warmer in Springfield than it was nine years ago. How did he compare today's politics with the politics of Abraham Lincoln's day?
MQ: Look, I think he was appealing to the better angels of our nature. I think it's hard to be, or attempt to be, Lincoln-esque when you are speaking in Springfield, coming back to the place where he began his political career as the first African-American President, it was a special day. It's easy to be cynical, and to look at anything anyone does for methods and reasons and motivations that aren't pure, but every once in a while, especially during this extraordinary Presidential campaign where name calling perhaps is the most effective tool, it's easy to be cynical in that. But I think every once in a while both parties need a "kumbaya" moment to reset and appreciate what we are really here for.
JH: Well, two things the President should have spent more than 2 minutes with Governor Rauner, if in fact he was there to try move Springfield to some sort of reconciliation?
MQ: I know that the Governor met the President as he was walking off the plane. They had a chance to speak then. I know there were moments here and there. It was a very, very tight schedule and given that there was a second event that I believe had to be shortened somewhat so I think part to do with it, the schedule collapsed upon on itself and the President had to get on the plane and go to California. Look, the people I want to have talk in Springfield are the leaders and the Governor of the state to try to forge some sort of compromise.
JH: Talking here with Democratic Congressman Mike Quigley from the fighting fifth Congressional district here in Illinois. So much was made yesterday that you flew to town, Congresswoman Duckworth, Congresswoman Kelly, and Senator Durbin, to my understanding Mark Kirk was offered a flight but declined it to stay in Washington. He'll be on the program tomorrow. But some Republican Congressmen from the area and the state were complaining a bit yesterday that the White House said "Nope, no room for you on Air Force One." Do you think that was logistical or political?
MQ: I don't know what happened. What I understood was that when the President landed in my district, at O'Hare a few years ago, I was invited to greet him as he came into the airport, and the same courtesy was offered to the Congressmen from the surrounding area, but I don't know what took place so it's hard to comment. I'd like to keep it as a positive day where we are trying to get people to speak on the same level.
JH: While we have you here, we are talking to Congressman Mike Quigley of Chicago, and you just mentioned O'Hare. Any movement recently on the noise abatement issue?
MA: You know, little baby steps. I do think the new Director of Aviation Chicago has been better at reaching out, about trying to talk about compromise, and for first time, a willingness to talk about a more fair distribution of runway use. You know, I do think the new plan to expand O'Hare will have some victories. The new de-icing pad will be helpful, changing where the taxiway is will improve efficiency. But I am very skeptical though that yet another east/west runway is going to solve the problem in Chicago. Any metric you use to measure efficiency is less efficient than when the shovel broke ground in O'Hare modernization. I don't see a 24 hour plan that would really work to reduce noise for people who live in the surrounding areas. You know, a fair distribution makes sense. We know airports are loud, but I think we can do a better job sharing that burden.
JH: They are even louder on days like today when it's so cold. Congressman, thank you so much. We appreciate your time, Sir.
MQ: Glad to be here.
JH: Take care. Congressman Mike Quigley joining us on WLS.