11 Comments - Drew Hibbard - Tuesday, Mar 15, 05 @ 10:45 am: The view from the top of the Hilton is pretty cool. I’d say that’s my favorite, but I haven’t been in many hotels there because my dorm room has always been close by. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 15, 05 @ 4:56 pm: Great idea, Rich. Why not post a popularity contest on the State Flower? I vote for the poppy. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 15, 05 @ 5:48 pm: What’s next, Rich? You gonna ask for our favorite color? How about our favorite flavor of ice cream? Were you drinking cough syrup when you came up with this “Question of the Day?” - Tessa - Tuesday, Mar 15, 05 @ 5:57 pm: Well, I’ll bite…. I like the Hilton, 1) it’s near quite a few bars downtown to hang out at, and 2) the bartenders at the Underground can be fun. I really like the Crown though, but it’s so far away from everything else. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 15, 05 @ 6:37 pm: I would rather discuss the hate from last week. It seems to me a lot of Sangamon Co. based state workers are angry like CAT workers, IH employees, steelworkers, miners, etc. were when their idustries were downsized. Also, didn’t the Republicans in Sangamon Co. read the fine print in their party’s platform. Smaller government, privatization. They should have seen this coming when even Bill Clinton was talking about the end of big government. PS Statehouse Inn. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 15, 05 @ 9:18 pm: Come on, don’t patronize the workers. Anyone is gonna be angry when their working lives are threatened. That’s not brain surgery, and I certainly feel for anyone whose job has been lost or continues to be threatened under this administration. The real question, though — and one that no one (and I mean *no one*) is asking is whether this “smaller government” is more effective? The answer — and I hear this from countless workers and even management at several agencies — is a resounding no. The agencies are a mess. No one realizes this, and if you’re a worker in one of these places trying to spread the word, you get accused of not seeing it coming, sour grapes, and whatever else. Fact is, there are a lot of hardworking folks at these agencies, and when Blago when in gunning for every single Ryan appointee, he sucked out more institutional memory than he probably should have. The people in charge *don’t understand their jobs.* That’s no secret, and it’ll take at least another year to get them settled in. Of course, by that time, Blago might be in hot water and then the whole process will start all over again when a GOP’er rips out the currently installed Dems. Tusk or Blago or whoever simply went too far, too quickly. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Mar 15, 05 @ 11:13 pm: Crowne. “Fact is, there are a lot of hardworking folks at these agencies, and when Blago when in gunning for every single Ryan appointee, he sucked out more institutional memory than he probably should have. The people in charge *don’t understand their jobs.* That’s no secret, and it’ll take at least another year to get them settled in. Of course, by that time, Blago might be in hot water and then the whole process will start all over again when a GOP’er rips out the currently installed Dems. Tusk or Blago or whoever simply went too far, too quickly.” With a few exceptions, the “installed” people aren’t the ones who are really doing the work. And not all the career professionals were Ryan appointees. Or particularly political people either. Yet the current administration seemed to want to paint them all as Republican hacks when they first came to power. Hopefully they are starting to recognize those who did, and those who are still doing, the real work around state government. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 16, 05 @ 8:06 am: Hilton Honors Points — vacation around the world on the time you do here in Le Patch. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 16, 05 @ 10:48 am: Statehouse. It’s close to the Capitol when you need to sneak away for a rendezvous or a nap. And hi-speed internet is the best (I wish other Springpatch hotels would get into the modern world). And don’t forget a hotel bar for a nightcap and a free breakfast for the hangover. They have points too, but for more pedestrian hotels. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 16, 05 @ 11:09 am: Why don’t more hotels offer either paid or free internet access? The idea that a hotel *doesn’t* have at least wireless access in the lobby — at least! — boggles my mind. Even if it’s paid access! Most hotels give you a clueness look if you ask if wireless is available. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 16, 05 @ 2:07 pm: Staybridge Suites on the Southwest side of town; high speed internet, free breakfast (including a carry out if needed), off the beaten path, clean, spacious rooms/suites, own direct line phone number if needed. Only downside is the distance — 10-15 mins from the Capitol but faster than the Crowne. Unfortunately, no bar. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.