A group of Chicago-area religious and civic leaders met with Gov. Pat Quinn at a North Shore synagogue aiming to send him back to Springfield with a mission: clean up Illinois politics.

"We need to take stock of the immense challenges facing the state," Ibrahim Mohamed said as he explained the purpose of the meeting. "Cronyism and corruption seem to touch all parts of the state."

About 800 people gathered at the Re-Imagining Illinois session at Congregation Solel in Highland Park on May 17, which was put on with a combined effort by organizations that encompass Cook, DuPage and Lake counties, including DuPage United, Lake County United, United Power for Action and Justice and Public Action for Change Today.

"We are so excited to see such a large and diverse group of people and leaders here today," said Judith Gethner, chair of the session and a member of Congregation B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim in Glenview.

The organizations plan to work together over both the short term and the long term to help improve Illinois politics, Mohamed said. The first goal is to make their voices heard over the next two weeks before legislators break for summer at midnight May 31. The long-term goals are for the next five to seven years, he added.

"To change the culture of a place like the state of Illinois will take at least that much time," Mohamed said. "We are fired up. We are ready to put our hand to yours, governor."

The governor said he wants to work in conjunction with the groups over the next two weeks and beyond.

"This is not a short-run effort," Quinn said. "In democracy, the highest office is the office of citizen. How people band together for causes they believe in can make a difference."

The governor went over his priorities with the crowd, including widespread access to high-speed Internet and high-speed rail and job creation.

Quinn also told the crowd he is advocating for the voters' right to recall an elected official.

He also emphasized the need for a balanced budget, even if that means raising the individual income tax, which he has proposed increasing from 3 percent to 4.5 percent.

"No one likes to do that," Quinn said. "But if you believe in social justice, if you believe in paying your bills, it's necessary. It's a principle as old as the Bible."

The organizations that put on the event were all affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation. The leaders spoke to Quinn about their top issues: a fair and responsible budget, affordable housing, education reform and the most emphasized topic at the event—deterring political corruption.

"We want you to go back to Springfield tomorrow and tell them that you were at a meeting with 800 citizens," said Greg Pierce of St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church and a member of United Power's executive team. "And we are demanding that you end business as usual in the government of Illinois."

By Tara May Tesimu | Triblocal.com reporter