How did Quinn come up with the idea of Squeezy, the pension cobra? From his canoe czar.

Did you know that Illinois Governor Pat Quinn had a canoe czar?

Kurt Erickson in the Pentagraph did some digging to find out where the Governor came up with the idea of Squeezy, the pension cobra.

It took some work because the governor kept the Squeezy thing pretty much under wraps. Highly confidential. On a need to know basis.

But Erickson found out it was the brain child of Quinn pal, Claude Walker.

Walker was appointed the state’s canoe czar by Quinn.

But Walker left the administration after questions were raised about having a paddling specialist on the payroll during tough budget times.

Walker came back to the payroll in August for $80,000. Less than a month later the “Squeezy” moniker surfaced.

A paddling specialist?