Morning Shorts will be a bit late today because I’m doing it myself. My intern Kevin Fanning is graduating from the University of Illinois (Champaign) this weekend. He’ll be back Monday.

Paul Richardson, my intern from last year, is also graduating this weekend with a master’s degree. He’s heading to Loyola Law School this fall, and he may be in Springfield next week for a visit.

I’ll leave comments open so you can congratulate them both.

       

23 Comments - Ooooohhhhhh! - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 8:55 am: I thought you were announcing that they were marrying each other. Ooooohhhhhh! - Frost - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 8:55 am: Congrats to both of you! I’m sure your U of I degrees, and the education you received under the tutelage of Rich, will serve you well! Now … go forth and rock the system! - He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 8:59 am: Great Job Guys!!! What did you learn from your internship?? Stay out of Politics!!!! - A Citizen - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 9:28 am: Congratulations to both - a very laudable accomplishment! As Governor and Lt. Governor you both should be able to pay off those huge student loans in no time. Rich will be happy to be your campaign manager - he’s been planning for this all along. - BlueGirl - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 9:32 am: Those two boys look very yummy! Congrats! - K to the 3 - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 9:33 am: Congrats to Kevin and Paul (the pride of Kankakee County). You will both have successful careers in politics….as long as you can play down your Tony Rezko connections. - tom73 - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 9:33 am: Congrats, and have a wonderful weekend. Let us hope you can one day find a way to use your smarts and passion for the public good. The state sure could use it. Thank you, as well, for your work here. - fan of cap fax - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 9:35 am: Great job, guys! Your parents must be so proud of each of you. Congratulations on your present and future triumphs. - wordslinger - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 9:35 am: Congratulations to you both. The time you invested covering the General Assembly and state government gained you insight into power and personalities that will pay dividends over and over again in whatever you choose to do. Now, go out there and start providing for my retirement years! - Eddy - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 9:37 am: Congrats Paul and Kevin. As a U of I dad, I’m proud of our students and graduates, and I’m proud of you both. Stop by the patio soon for a burger and chips. It’s an honor to know you both. - Dan S, a Voter & Cubs Fan - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 9:43 am: Congrats and best of luck in the future Gentlemen. - Pat Collins - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 9:45 am: It’s a great and sad day for you, I know I had mixed feeling on graduating. For one of you, the “I missed my finals dream” can finally have no meaning! - Ghost - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 10:19 am: Congrats don’t forget to get your food stamps before Jones snaps them all off. - Six Degrees of Separation - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 10:25 am: A Citizen- As long as they’re 25, they are eligible to run for any executive office in IL. Richardson and Fanning in 2014! - Six Degrees of Separation - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 10:28 am: To Ooooohhhhhh: …Not that there’s anything wrong with that. - Levois - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 11:54 am: Awesome, hopefully I’ll join the both of you in the ranks of college grads. - a cub fan - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 11:58 am: public officials a+! nice work dudes. - John Paxson - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 12:46 pm: Congratulations! Both of you did great work. Best of luck! - Bill - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 1:54 pm: Just what we need, another Republican lawyer! Just kidding, Paul. Congratulations to you and Kevin! My advice is to stay out of government and try to earn an honest living. Keep your heads down.The next round is on me. - Paul Richardson - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 3:06 pm: A million thanks to everyone for all of the well-wishes. Its enough to make a guy feel special. I’ve loved the University of Illinois, but its got nothing on the lessons gleaned from Prof Miller and all of the fine folks who make this blog what it is. I hope to thank everyone in person next week…probably Wednesday. And Bill, I plan to take you up on that drink offer. I need all the help I can get. With more schooling ahead, my debt burden is beginning to look like the Governor’s Winston & Strawn bill. - Disgusted - Friday, May 9, 08 @ 5:35 pm: Congrats to a couple of on-the-ball QT’s, with great writing skills. Best of luck in all future endeavors. - law girl - Sunday, May 11, 08 @ 11:45 am: Congrats Kevin and Paul! Paul, I’m a Loyola grad myself, and I know you’ll do well. Take as many classes from Prof. Carey as you can! - Kevin Fanning - Sunday, May 11, 08 @ 10:37 pm: Thank you to everyone for your kind comments. Graduation was great this weekend, and I even got to see Paul get hooded on stage for his Master’s degree. The past few months have been remarkable, and I can’t wait for the next two. Cheers. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.