Obama hopeful about future of Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Feb. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama says the state of Illinois is ready to move forward under Patrick Quinn, who has replaced impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

"I've known Pat Quinn for many years. He is a relentless advocate for working families," Obama told The State Journal-Register newspaper in Springfield, Ill., in an interview. "He's very dedicated. You know, he's in it for the right reasons."

The president defended Illinois against charges the state is hopelessly corrupt.

"You can paint with too broad a brush," he said Thursday. "This is a state that's produced unbelievable public servants like Dick Durban and Paul Simon and Paul Douglas."

The president said he is certain that the federal government's nearly $900 billion stimulus plan will help Quinn deal with an Illinois budget deficit that could total as much as $9 billion.

"It can also help to spur reinvestment, road construction, the building and repair of infrastructure all across the state," he told The State Journal-Register.