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Quinn’s bad news budget: ‘Our rendezvous with reality has arrived’

Feb. 22 at 7:38 a.m.

An inmate looks out from his cell at the Tamms Correctional Center in 2009. The super-max prison in Tamms, Ill., would close under the budget to be unveiled Wednesday by Gov. Pat Quinn. ( Chicago Tribune / February 13, 2009 )

SPRINGFIELD—Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn today delivered a bad news budget speech, calling for prison closures, layoffs and cutbacks to health care for the poor.

“This budget contains truths you may not want to hear,” Quinn said. “But these are truths that you do need to know. And I believe you can handle the truth.”

Quinn said too many governors and lawmakers have spent too much over the past 35 years.

“Today, our rendezvous with reality has arrived,” Quinn said.