By SOPHIA TAREEN

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Gov. Pat Quinn's State of the State speech will include a proposal for online voter registration and open primary elections where voters don't have to declare a political party.

 

That's according to a person familiar with Quinn's plan. The person wasn't authorized to discuss the proposal before Quinn's speech Wednesday and would speak only on condition of anonymity.

 

The Chicago Democrat is also expected to focus on Illinois' dire financial problems, job opportunities, gun control and gay marriage.

 

The speech is Quinn's chance to set the stage for his upcoming budget address. Quinn has made overhauling Illinois' underfunded pension system a priority, although lawmakers can't agree on a solution.

 

Quinn has also said he'll talk about ethics in state government. Both of his predecessors went to jail on corruption convictions.

 

Copyright © 2013 Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Gov. Pat Quinn is set to deliver his annual State of the State address with a focus on the state's dire financial problems and anti-corruption efforts since he took office.

 

The speech before lawmakers in Springfield on Wednesday is the Chicago Democrat's best chance to boast of his accomplishments and set the stage for his budget address in the coming weeks.

 

Quinn has made overhauling Illinois' massively underfunded pension system his top priority for the past year. He's expected to talk about it.

 

Lawmakers haven't agreed on a plan to address the state's nearly $100 billion pension problem despite Quinn's efforts.

 

Quinn has said he'll also talk about how state government has improved when it comes to ethics. Both of Quinn's predecessors went to jail on corruption convictions.

 

Copyright © 2013 Associated Press