"The practice of democracy is not passed down through the gene pool. It must be taught and learned anew by each generation of citizens."
Gov. Pat Quinn was Illinois' 41st Governor, and he served for 2,175 days as Governor from January 29, 2009 to January 12, 2015. The goal of this portrait is to promote democracy and civics education in the context of recent Illinois political history.
The interactive learning component of this portrait at GovernorQuinnPortrait.org enables visitors to learn about watershed battles and major issues raised in Illinois politics and government since the 1970s, especially in the years that Pat Quinn served as Governor.
Each of the portrait’s 44 “found items” represent laws, issues, events, friends, colleagues, veterans, everyday people, and family members who have impacted Gov. Pat Quinn’s life as an elected official, consumer advocate, political reformer, and family man.
By going to the GovernorQuinnPortrait.org website and clicking on any of the found items, the visitor unlocks a gateway to Illinois issues and history. The visitor can learn about important issues, view historical documents, and watch videos.
Hopefully, this interactive portrait will educate and activate visitors to pursue careers and causes they care about in order to “let the will of the people be the law of the land.”
The State of Illinois now requires high school students to take classes in civics education. The curriculum includes learning about the process of democracy, government institutions, current and controversial issues, and service learning opportunities.
The purpose of civics education is to prepare all of us to be responsible citizens and participants in the democratic process.
Listed below is the key for the 44 “found items” on this website:
1. Lincoln portrait: “Government of the People” 2. Minimum wage referendum photo 3. Wedding photo of Gov. Quinn’s parents 4. Notepad and pencil with eraser 5. Love Is Us book 6. Gift of Peace book 7. Everybody In, Nobody Out book 8. Juntos Podemos book 9. Gov. Quinn’s tie 10. Gov. Quinn’s flag pin 11. Gov. Quinn’s Bible 12. Photo of Gov. Quinn’s brothers 13. Photo of Gov. Quinn’s sons 14. P.A. 79-1333: Advance Pay Abolition 15. P.A. 83-945: Citizen Utility Board 16. P.A. 87-662: Whistleblower Law 17. P.A. 92-853: Inspector Misconduct Act 18. P.A. 92-886: Military Family Relief Act 19. P.A. 96-35: Illinois Jobs Now! 20. P.A. 96-555: Governmental Ethics 21. P.A. 96-958: Budgeting for Results 22. P.A. 96-1498: Economic Recovery 23. P.A. 96-1543: Death Penalty Abolition 24. P.A. 97-8: Education Reform 25. P.A. 97-652: Economic Fairness 26. P.A. 97-710: Honoring Veterans 27. P.A. 98-91: Helping People with Disabilities 28. P.A. 98-104: Decent Healthcare 29. P.A. 98-597: Marriage Equality 30. P.A. 98-774: Criminal Justice Reform 31. P.A. 98-782: Clean Water 32. P.A. 98-1050: Protecting Workers 33. P.A. 98-1171: Expanding Democracy 34. Baseball 35. Cutback Amendment book 36. Recall Amendment book 37. Illinois Jobs Now book 38. Home book 39. Miniature wind turbine 40. Gold Star banner 41. Isaiah 6:8 book 42. Clipboard 43. Petition and Referendum book 44. Pencil cup
Illinois Issues: Civics Class In An Uncivil Time.
Civics class required for high school graduation will push the envelope.
Debate over civics: Should it be required for graduation in Illinois?.
New state law enforces civics requirement for high schoolers.