In August 2001, former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn walked across the state with his doctor, Quentin Young, to bring awareness and advocate for affordable healthcare for all. Now, the former governor’s son, Patrick, is walking in his father’s footsteps — well, almost.
“They took a slightly different route,” Patrick Quinn said before setting off on his 190-mile trek on Aug. 11.
The younger Quinn, who is studying for his Ph.D. at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, will walk from the Centennial Bridge over the Mississippi in Rock Island to Lake Michigan in Chicago (travelling through Oak Park and the West Side of Chicago on the way).
But, Patrick mission is also different from his father’s. Patrick said that he’s walking to help raise awareness about homelessness and to help raise funds for Maywood-based Housing Forward, the nonprofit that works to bring resources and support to people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity throughout Cook County, including Oak Park.
Patrick, 36, said that he’s volunteered in homeless shelters in Chicago and New York in the past, and will also volunteer at various shelters during his 190-mile walk.
“Today, I’m going to try to walk, weather depending, 20 or 25 miles or so,” he said on Sunday. “Tomorrow, about the same.”
Patrick seems to have built up the stamina over the years, running cross country and track in high school and college.
Those looking to donate to Housing Forward can visit www.housingforward.org/donate.
Michael Romain
