Il Gov. Pat Quinn Refuses to Pay Off Lost Packer Bet With Scott Walker Over Union Protests in Madison

The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

Gov. Quinn pulled the plug on a planned appearance Monday at a Milwaukee food bank because of the dramatic union-rights struggle unfolding in Wisconsin, his aides said Sunday.

Illinois’ Democratic governor had intended to do volunteer work at the Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin food distribution center to fulfill his losing wager with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker over last month’s NFC championship game in which the Bears lost to the Green Bay Packers.

“In light of the very serious issues that the state of Wisconsin is trying to work through right now, the governor felt the timing was not necessarily ideal and that it would be more appropriate to find a better date,” Quinn spokeswoman Annie Thompson said.

Quinn was not planning a joint appearance with Wisconsin’s Republican governor but intended to don a Green Bay Packers jersey, she said, adding that Quinn likely will reschedule during the next few months.

Pat Quinn in the pocket of unions.