Mr. Quinn Goes to China

By aaroncynic in News on Sep 16, 2011 7:20PM

Gov. Quinn embarked on an eight day trade mission to China today along with 30 other politicians and business leaders in order to attempt to attempt to boost exports. The Sun-Times reports Quinn said, “They see our state and our universities, our agriculture…as places they want to connect to.” Representatives from Navistar, United Airlines, union leaders and other officials will ride shotgun with Quinn. It is the first trip to China for an Illinois governor since 1996.

Though the delegation will pay some of its own expenses, the trip is expected to cost about $133,000 in taxpayer money, the Tribune reports. When asked, the governor called it a “reasonable investment,” saying it could be worth “thousands of jobs” in Illinois. “You can squeeze a nickel and lose a half dollar,” he said.

China purchased more than $3 billion worth of goods from Illinois last year, and is the state’s largest third largest exporter. One out of four soybeans grown in Illinois is purchased by China. Quinn hopes to increase exports and attempt to match Chinese consumer needs with products made or grown in Illinois.

Quinn is taking some flack over his choice of traveling companions. Eight out of 30 delegates either individually gave or work for a company that gave campaign donations, including President of the Teamsters Joint Council 25 John T. Coli, who donated $400,000 to Quinn’s campaign. A spokeswoman for Quinn said politics did not factor into the decision, but rather the “governor wanted to bring a well-rounded diverse delegation that reflects our state.”