Gov. Quinn Holds Back Vote of Confidence for Hogan

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn weighed in on embattled University of Illinois President Michael Hogan.

Earlier this week, trustees told the president in a closed-door meeting that he has to repair a fractured relationship with faculty. More than a hundred influential faculty members have called on Hogan to resign.

Speaking on Tuesday in Chicago, Gov. Quinn said he has faith in the Board of Trustees, but when asked by a reporter if he "has confidence in President Hogan," the governor simply responded that he gets along well with him.

"I know Mike," Quinn said. "I enjoyed working with his predecessor...Mike Hogan, he's an easygoing fellow."

Quinn added that he believes everyone at the U of I should get along.

"My number one interest when it comes to the University of Illinois are the students," Quinn said. "I think they come first."

As governor, Quinn has a seat on the Board of Trustees, but doesn't regularly attend meetings and wasn't at Monday's session.

Board Chair Chris Kennedy said that trustees will review Hogan's job performance over the next couple of months. Meanwhile, the board is scheduled to meet on the Urbana campus next week.