“We are extremely privileged to have (Lt. Gov.) Pat Quinn here today,” former Governor Jim Edgar told assembled students at the Institute of Government and Public Affairs Thursday afternoon.

Quinn’s appearance at the University was part of Edgar’s Political Leaders Series, and it was his fourth stop in a one-day trip across the state. The program represents an effort to bring civic leaders into the classroom to interact with students.

“(Quinn) is one of the most thoughtful and creative people in state government these days,” Edgar said. “He’s an example of someone who has had an impact on government, from the outside as well as the inside. He has led the charge.”

Quinn discussed his role as lieutenant governor, an office that Edgar said is not well defined and often misunderstood. He also talked about his roots in public service and his personal feelings about government.

“I believe in grass-roots democracy,” Quinn said. “We need to revive the spirit of democracy the way Lincoln believed in it. Electronic democracy is really the way to go, and it brings with it a lot of opportunities.”

Quinn went on to say his role in the executive branch is basically to act as an advocate for people who don’t have lobbyists in Springfield. Over the years, he has led many populist campaigns to organize everyday citizens to spur action in the legislature. One of the major issues currently on the table relates to the increase in electricity costs due to companies such as Ameren and Commonwealth Edison, the two energy giants that provide most of the state’s power.

To protest the increase, Quinn is encouraging customers to send tea bags to Ameren executives along with their energy bills, or even e-mail digital tea bags to CEO Gary Rainwater.

“In 1773, the founders of this country sent a strong message to King George and the East India Trading Company — the Boston Tea Party,” Quinn said. “Now, we are having our own tea party in Illinois.”

“It seems to be working,” added Quinn. “I’ve heard that we’ve clogged his (Rainwater’s) mailbox.”

This has been a big week for Quinn and for Gov. Blagojevich, with a long-time fundraiser coming under indictment and a re-election campaign entering its final weeks. When confronted with questions about the scandal, Quinn maintained such corruption needs to end, and that his office has taken measures to ensure steps are being taken to curb pay-to-play policies.

“Illinois should always have a government as honest as the people in the state,” Quinn told reporters. “If I see anybody doing wrong, I want to work with people to put an end to it.”

Despite recent allegations and the intensity of the campaign, Quinn remained confident and optimistic throughout his brief speech, continually reiterating his message of public involvement in government. He spoke distastefully about negative television commercials on both sides of the race.

“I don’t have commercials, but we’ve got lots of shoe leather and ideas, and hopefully that will rule the day,” he said. “May the will of the people be the law of the land.”