Perhaps it's time Gov. Pat Quinn did something about his decaying home.
The Illinois governor's Civil War-period Executive Mansion was practically falling apart last month when its curator, Dave Bourland, detailed the water damage from a brutal winter that caused the roof to leak.
Now, the Pantagraph reports, the basement is flooded, too.
"Despite the mansion being an 1855-era historical treasure, Quinn has made no clear indication he wants to properly maintain the place," writes the paper's Kurt Erickson. "Here's one theory on why he won't spend the money: After complaining last year about the $50 million spent to restore one wing of the Capitol, Quinn has painted himself into a corner when it comes to fixing the house he lives in during his occasional forays outside of Chicago."
Meanwhile, the government is taking action to fix rooftops in two state parks as well as a ceiling at the Howlett Building in Springfield. That work, tallied up, would cost taxpayers nearly $700,000.
Show of hands: Should Quinn forgo his principles and add the Executive Mansion to the list of repairs?
