"Today is a beginning, a start."
A start to a new way of Illinois government. A mission stated Friday by Governor Pat Quinn, hoping to re-build from the Blagojevich corruption scandal.
"We need to fumigate state government from top to bottom to make sure it has no corruption," Quinn said.
On his first day in the Governor's Office, Quinn signed a proclamation for the Illinois Reform Commission, a body that will examine government practices and ethics. Jobs are another major priority.
"If you're able-bodied and breathing we want you working," Quinn said.
Quinn wasted no time in getting rid of his predecessor's name along state tollways. Our cameras caught these workers erasing it at the South Beloit Toll Plaza.
"They did the right thing. I think we need a new governor. Things just weren't going," Pecatonica Resident Lori Volkert said.
Eating out in Pecatonica Friday, Volkert feels Quinn can bring progress. But it's going to take time and bring public scrutiny.
"I think people are going to be watching a lot closer to what the governor is doing," Volkert said.
Other diners like Cindy Klinger of Pecatonica say Quinn brings hope for bi-partisanship.
"I think he's going to work with both sides. The governor wasn't talking to anybody and he's already talking to people," Klinger said.
Both women agree the future of Illinois is brighter now and they're happy to drink to that.
Folks 23 News talked to say, under this new leadership, they're hopeful for things like health care reforms and re-opening the state parks that closed last fall in our area.
Quinn did address the parks today and said those are sites he wants to bring back.
Also Friday, Quinn gathered with Illinois' other top office-holders, like Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Secretary of State Jessie White. Madigan said the last time this group all came together was in July of 2003.