Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » All your bases are belong to us!
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
All your bases are belong to us!

Thursday, Jan 13, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller

* No, this press release is not from the Onion…

Governor Quinn Becomes Chair of the Midwestern Governors Association

llinois Governor Pat Quinn assumed the duties of Chair of the Midwestern Governors Association (MGA) earlier this week.

“I am honored to become Chairman of the Midwestern Governors Association. The association has a long history of governors who are committed to working together to improve our entire region, and I look forward to continuing that legacy,” said Governor Quinn. “Now, more than ever, we need to band together to create sustained economic growth and success throughout the Midwest.”

Governor Quinn assumed office on Monday, January 10, 2011 and will serve as chair through February of 2012.

The MGA includes Wisconsin and Indiana. At least we beat them in this little battle.

We don’t want things to get too out of hand, though. Remember this Onion piece?

Hopes for a Midwest peace accord were dealt a severe blow Monday, when a bomb ripped through a toll booth on the I-90 Illinois Tollway. The attack, which killed six and delayed westbound traffic for hours, is believed to be the work of Iowa-based militant Lutheran extremists.

The explosion is the deadliest in the troubled region since Oct. 4, 1997, when a bomb went off in a crowded Kankakee flea market, killing 22.

Illinois governor-elect George Ryan denounced the attack as “the work of cowards.”

“If there is to be any hope of a lasting peace in the Middle West, these sorts of despicable acts of violence must not be tolerated,” said Ryan, speaking before an emergency session of the Illinois legislature. “All sides in the Midwest crisis must demonstrate a genuine commitment to honoring the terms of the Lake Geneva Convention.”

Also, if you don’t understand the headline, click here.

       

23 Comments
  1. - The Captain - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 6:00 pm:

    I’m enjoying all the GA members tuning in today and trying to figure out the headline.


  2. - OneMan - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 6:06 pm:

    “Somebody set us up the bomb!!!”


  3. - George - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 6:10 pm:

    Rich is such a dork. :)

    I guess I am, too, because I got it.


  4. - OneMan - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 6:13 pm:

    For those who might be confused the Lake Geneva Convention eventually collapsed when all parties found it too difficult to maintain the number of ‘cute little shops’ the convention required of all signatories.


  5. - amalia - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 6:22 pm:

    Thanks for the link to that old Onion piece. the new Onion Sports Network on Comedy Central is in the same vein, surely over the top in some aspects, deadly spot on in the portrayal. Oh so much to mine in Illinois politics. Soon, the second Rod trial!


  6. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 6:24 pm:

    My favorite Ryan quote from that story…

    “For too long, we have placated these belligerent foreigners, offering them reduced admissions to our waterparks and ‘kids stay free’ deals at our hotels. From this day forward, the state of Illinois will not negotiate with tourists.”


  7. - George - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 6:24 pm:

    There is always a bright side. That frightening incident in 1998 eventually led to the creation of Open Road Tolling, which has saved countless Midwest Toll Worker lives.


  8. - wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 6:47 pm:

    Even with the link, I don’t understand the headline. I can be quite thick.

    Still, for what it’s worth, congrats to Gov. Quinn. He can be a brilliant advocate, especially when he’s on the side of the angels like he is here.

    Throughout U.S. history, the hard-working, innovative, progressive people of the East and Midwest have had to drag our rather backward cousins from the South and West into the ballgame.

    They’ve never been able to take care of themselves, and they resent that we’ve had to do it for them.

    To this day, with a couple of exceptions, southern and western state are in the parlance of the time, tax-eaters, not taxpayers.

    At some point, though, you have to cut the cord. I think Gov. Quinn will help provide the tough love to help the folks in Arizona, Alaska, Idaho and elsewhere that it’s time to grow up.

    You really don’t have a right to watered fairways in the desert.


  9. - MrJM - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 9:09 pm:

    “im in ur base, taxing ur d00ds!”


  10. - Newsclown - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 9:52 pm:

    This is going to be a little sticky, diplomatically: asking these states to cooperate while at the same time we’re trying to poach each other’s industries and tourism. But you know, this is Quinn’s natural element: wonkish panels, committees, task forces, whatever you want to call them. Hopefully they will cooperate on the things that are threats to them all, things like the Asian Carp problem, etc. and maybe they’ll get some interstate compacts going on things that help everyone.


  11. - UnionsWonItForQuinn - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 10:43 pm:

    Excellent. Put in charge of something that really doesn’t matter at all. Perfect for him. To bad he has to remain IL Governor to do it.


  12. - G. Willickers - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 10:57 pm:

    That’s it.

    I’m moving to Wisconsin AND Indiana so I can pay MORE taxes than Illinois!!!


  13. - frustrated GOP - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 11:06 pm:

    It’s time that we build a wall across the State’s northern Border. The cheddar curtain must go up. Remember, Stripes. “I got my ass kicked in Wisconsin once.” Come to think of it, so did I. there are mo more .25 beers, so it’s time to raise the curtain. Remember Indiana employed bobby Knight and Iowa Univ. fueled a false NCAA investigation against our esteemed University. We live on an Island surrounded by sharks. Let’s keep that in mind people. Were is the Illinois National Guard?


  14. - Secret Square - Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 6:22 am:

    I for one, welcome our new insect overlords :-)


  15. - Way Way Down Here - Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 7:58 am:

    Klaatu barada nikto


  16. - South Side Mike - Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 9:16 am:

    SS,

    It’s difficult to tell from this vantage point whether they will consume the captive Illinois men or merely enslave them. One thing is for certain: there is no stopping them; the Cheeseheads, Hoosiers, and Hawkeyes will soon be here. I’d like to remind them, that as a trusted blog commenter, I can be helpful in rounding up others to toil in their underground corn and dairy caves.


  17. - downstate hack - Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 9:18 am:

    I believe the MGA leadership is rotating. I think it was just Illinois turn,not some sort of election or victory for Gov. Quinn.


  18. - dupage dan - Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 9:23 am:

    When we finally invade CheeseHeadLand we must demand that we be taken to their lieder/kranz.


  19. - Team Sleep - Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 9:33 am:

    Leave it to The Onion to always have a story that somehow matches up with a future event.


  20. - OneMan - Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 10:02 am:

    Unlike some I would fight off any invading neighboring state!

    Umm unless it is Kentucky and they had bourbon with them, I mean come on, I am not made out of stone people.


  21. - U-Haul Ho! - Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 10:06 am:

    “Hopes for a Midwest peace accord were dealt a severe blow Monday, when a bomb ripped through a toll booth on the I-90 Illinois Tollway”

    Oh PLEASE let it have been the one on I-90 near O’Hare…


  22. - As Sure as the Sun Rises in the East . . . - Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 10:31 am:

    This from Inside INdiana Business:

    1/14/2011
    Indiana Moves to Attract Illinois Employers
    Wayne Pratt, InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report

    The Indiana Economic Development Corporation is already targeting companies that have publicly stated they are looking to leave Illinois. The revelation was included in Governor Mitch Daniels’ budget presentation to the State Budget Committee. Lawmakers in Illinois approved massive tax hikes this week, and Governor Pat Quinn signed the increases into law Thursday.

    Once signed by the state’s governor, Illinois’ corporate tax rate will jump 46 percent and the personal rate will increase 67 percent.

    The IEDC has told Inside INdiana Business an aggressive marketing strategy will be employed in an effort to draw business away from the neighboring state.

    A bill to decrease Indiana’s corporate income tax rate is being filed at the Statehouse. State Senator Brandt Hershman (R-7) says it is the result of several hearings into the issue, not a sudden reaction to developments in Illinois.


  23. - wordslinger - Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 10:44 am:

    The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has been a scandal. They’re been cooking the books on job numbers and giving grants to companies that are undergoing net layoffs.

    http://www.wthr.com/story/12550137/reality-check-state-wants-to-keep-job-numbers-s

    http://www.wthr.com/story/12518764/reality-check-adding-up-and-subtracting-indian


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* The Waukegan City Clerk was railroaded
* Whatever happened, the city has a $40 million budget hole it didn't disclose until now
* Manar gives state agencies budget guidance: Cut, cut, cut
* Roundup: Ex-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis testifies in Madigan corruption trial
* Open thread
* Isabel’s morning briefing
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today's edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
* Live coverage
* Selected press releases (Live updates)
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller