ALPHA, Ill.--Gov. Pat Quinn praised President Obama as the "hardest worker in America when it comes to jobs" while talking to reporters before Obama appears at an outdoor townhall at an agri-tourism business in this tiny town, Country Corners. Quinn said he was "not too optimistic" when it came to Republicans and Democrats in Congress working together when they return to Washington in the fall.

Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) also was pessimistic about congressional cooperation--even as the new so-called "super committee" is charged with finding massive cuts--and potentially revenues--by November.

"The House, you can't get anything through it," Davis said. Davis represents a district anchored in Chicago.

Quinn was at the State Fair in Springfield this morning, flew to Galesburg and motored from there to the event in a town with a population of 651--smaller than Obama's first stop in Atkinson, Ill, population 1,100.