65 Comments - Ken in Aurora - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:09 pm: We’re gonna fill that budget shortfall one way or another. Somebody watch eBay. ;) - titan - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:11 pm: They went to celebrate the results of an election where the fleecers were reelectecd, and they got fleeced? - BOB - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:15 pm: I remember right, didn’t a fur coat come up missing at Scott Cohen’s party after the primary. Looks like there may be a fur coat thief on the loose. - wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:15 pm: “The governor’s office today announced January revenues appear to be $9,000 ahead of previous projections….” Seriously, a $7,000 coat and you check it? I’ve only paid more than $7,000 for a car a couple of times in my life. I junked a car one time and the dude from Victory Auto Wreckers made me give him $10 to tow it away. This is the place with the TV spot where they give the mullet-head cash for the car where the door falls off! - Senator Kirk Dillard - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:18 pm: My family and I enjoyed the inaugural…..generally, it was tasteful and well done. BUT, the lowlight was the coatcheck operation. Total chaos!!! They lost many folks coat locations and people (my wife after 20 minutes) jumped the tables– with the approval of the coatcheck vendor– to pick out their own coats from stacks of piles on top of piles of wraps. - Obamarama - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:22 pm: So on Sunday you get a $7,000 coat stolen, Monday get hit with a snowstorm, and Tuesday your taxes nearly double. Rough week. - McNulty - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:23 pm: PETA exacting its revenge for Brady’s puppy gas chamber bill - just sayin' - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:27 pm: McNulty with definitive answer, though not really an analogy as question called for. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:30 pm: There is more than one way to skin a taxpayer … Or … to date myself … Illinois Stubborn! The Music Man’s Iowa Stubborn Oh, there’s nothing halfway About the Illinois way to tax you, When we tax you Which we may not repeal at all. There’s an Illinois kind of special Chip-on-the-shoulder attitude. We’ve never been without. That we recall. We can be cold As our falling thermometers in December If you ask about our Budget in July. And we’re so by God stubborn Members stand touchin’ noses For a week at a time And never see eye-to-eye. But what the heck, you’re welcome, Join us at the picnic. You can get income taxed Of all the cash you make yourself. You really ought to give Illinois a try. Provided you AREN’T contrary, We can be cold As our falling thermometer in December If you ask about our remap in July. And we’re so by God stubborn Members stand touchin’ noses For a week at a time And never see eye-to-eye. But we’ll take off your fur And a back to go with it If it means new jobs have to die. You really ought to give the Inaugural, The Illinois Inaugural, The House, the senate, governor, the LG, the AG, the Secretary, Comptroller, Treasurer! You ought to leave your fur coats at home! - dupage dan - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:33 pm: Folks, it’s open season on valuables. Lock ‘em up! - MJMspksman - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:41 pm: I saw Rich Miller coming out of a Springfield pawn shop late Tuesday evening. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:41 pm: “Ebay sees uptick in furs to auctioned off in Illinois today, ahead of an internet tax of goods and services. The furs are listed as ‘ball’ attire and are said to be ‘warm’ to the wearer …” - wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:44 pm: Based on Sen. Dillard’s account of the coat-check free-for-all, perhaps some guests thought the piles of coats were lovely parting gifts and felt free to upgrade. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:46 pm: “White glove, Senate gallery ticket stub, Cubs convention ticket stub, Unemployment application, Homeowner Modification application, ski cap, lottery ticket, … no Ma’m no fur coat in the Lost and Found …” - bored now - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:49 pm: as sen. dillard points out, the coat “room” was chaotic. they were unprepared for the number of coats that got checked and laid out the racks without sufficient space for people to get in and out. so, at least on the south side (and main entrance) they moved the coat racks in the middle of the evening, which meant an incredibly large number of tickets on the hangers slipped off and fell to the floor. since workers couldn’t find the coats, they allowed people to go in and get them. so i’m sorta not completely surprised that something went missing. it saddens me, but i can’t say i’m shocked… - Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:49 pm: Thanks, Senator. You’re not the only one who has complained about the coat check the other night. I had no problem, but it was apparently a nightmare for some. I had a good time, though. Lots of fun. The music was even pretty good. - bored now - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:50 pm: given wordslinger’s inference, i’d add that guests who went behind the tables and picked out their own coats weren’t monitored… - Bill - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:51 pm: I got there about 10pm. There was no attendant or anyone else watching the coats. Most of them were strewn all over the floor. Needless to say I carried mine even though its is worth 100 times less than $7000. By the way, kudos to Dillard for standing in line with the rest of us outsiders in the cold while other “dignataries” snuck in the back door to the ig ceremony. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:51 pm: “Take the fur, LEAVE the cannoli …” - Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:53 pm: Rod and Patty needed some gear for Chicago Winter Survival. Goes with the diet of rats. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:53 pm: OW beat me to it. Drat. - Bill - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:53 pm: ==I saw Rich Miller coming out of a Springfield pawn shop late Tuesday evening.== He was returning his tux. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:55 pm: I gave you some time … but it was just sitting out there …. lol - wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:55 pm: Bill, LMAO! - Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:56 pm: Just re-read Dillard’s comment. Mrs. Dillard “jumped the tables”? That would’ve been something to see. For those who don’t know her, Mrs. Dillard is not only brainy and witty, she’s a stone cold fox. I keep telling her she should run statewide. - vole - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:56 pm: Mini burgers don’t come cheap in Spring patch. (That previous anonymous about Rod and Patty was mine too.) - James - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:58 pm: I saw Senator Dillard at the coat check, waiting patiently for a long time. They didn’t have enough rods, so coats were stacked on top of each other in piles on tables–not in numerical order. - MrJM - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 12:58 pm: Two grand for a black coat with a fake fur collar? Talk about waste, fraud and abuse! – MrJM - wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 1:03 pm: –According to police reports a Quincy woman also reported her $2,000 black coat with faux fur collar missing.– Wait a minute. This one isn’t even a mink coat — and it has a fake fur collar. And it’s valued at $2,000? What’s it made of — stitched together $20 bills? - Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 1:04 pm: Actually, considering the recent election results, I was kinda surprised that anyone from Quincy was at a Democrat’s inaugural ball. - Obamarama - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 1:07 pm: ===What’s it made of — stitched together $20 bills?=== It was made out of tax cuts. It represents a theoretical $2,000. - wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 1:08 pm: –she’s a stone cold fox– Then she, at least, would have no need to swipe a fur. –They didn’t have enough rods,– I think Springfield and Illinois have had enough Rods to last a lifetime. - Bring Back Boone's - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 1:12 pm: Maybe they should have created an early release program for the coats? That probably would have gone off without a hitch. Just sayin…. - Secret Square - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 1:15 pm: Although some pundits would have you believe otherwise, I’m guessing the owner of the $7,000 mink coat was NOT a state employee. - Fed up - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 1:20 pm: Quinn promised to find money for the schools somewhere. - Deep South - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 1:20 pm: ===I’m guessing the owner of the $7,000 mink coat was NOT a state employee.=== Perhaps a RETIRED state employee? - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 1:21 pm: ===Although some pundits would have you believe otherwise, I’m guessing the owner of the $7,000 mink coat was NOT a state employee.=== You’re right, not a state employee … but a state retiree! - Aldyth - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 1:21 pm: “Although some pundits would have you believe otherwise, I’m guessing the owner of the $7,000 mink coat was not a state employee.” If it was, get their name. - One of the 35 - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 1:22 pm: A special joint commission to investigate theft at domestic events (SJCITDE)would be in order. (with a capped budget of $300 million and a limit of 26 staff) - Give Me A Break - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 1:25 pm: Seems DNR has found a new revenue stream for their small animal conservation programs. - Justice - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 1:34 pm: $7,000 fur coat missing, $2,000 faux fur collar missing….you actually are that naive and check these items? Wow, just wow. Did you get to the Ball in a pumpkin for crying out loud? - Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 1:37 pm: Governor Quinn lied again! During the election he promised he would only steal ONE coat! Perhaps he saw the other one and thought, “Oh look, a dead kitty!” - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 1:41 pm: Overheard in the midst of the “Missing Fur” disaster, a small-time Mushroom was heard complaining in the background … “I made my vote. He owes me. Everyone’s flashing stuff. They got money. I’m wearing the same ’stuff’. They’re wearing it. I got to talk to him” THEN … the coat went missing … - Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 1:42 pm: Justice, what are you supposed to do? Carry them around all night? Leave them on your chair? - Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 1:43 pm: However, I have been to a few upscale events where furs were checked separately. This is a real screwup by the coat check company. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 1:49 pm: “Maybe you don’t understand how dis works … dis is a Coat Check … you want your coat back, you git me a check, … made out to Cash ….” - Justice - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 1:57 pm: Rich…not bring them in the first place. After all, many of the folks there, present company excluded, have been known for picking our pockets for years. Just not a good idea in my opinion. - frustrated GOP - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 2:18 pm: fur coats? I thought Quinn won, not Brady. Oh, sorry, had Brady won the price of the coats would have had a 1 in front of the quoted numbers. - zatoichi - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 2:23 pm: Pawn Star Rick: “Hey, I got a buddy who knows fur.” After commercial: Fur Buddy: “I just saw a fur like that was worth about $7,000.” Seller: “Really?” Chumley: “I’d look real good in that.” Rick: “How’d you get it?” Seller: “It’s been in the family a ‘while’.” - 47th Ward - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 2:33 pm: If the coat check was so bad, how did the valet parking work out? “I drove here in a black Mercedes and drove home in rusted Ford.” Let’s keep it in perspective. Of 7,000 people, only two lost really nice coats. That’s not bad for a state-run operation. - Sine Die 10 - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 2:45 pm: I had the same experience at the coat check. It was a total cluster. Luckily, I found my wife’s coat right away. Mine was at the bottom of the stack of black topcoats-guess no one wanted to trade-up! just glad I didn’t leave my car keys in the pocket! - Give Me A Break - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 2:45 pm: “That’s not bad for a state-run operation.” It was not a state-run operation, it was a private company. You know, the private sector that the GOP keeps saying we should run the state like. - Secret Square - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 2:58 pm: Are the people saying the mink coat owner was a state retiree being facetious, or were they actually there and stating this as fact? I wasn’t there and I really don’t care who that person was. I was simply pointing out that most state employees can’t afford that kind of attire. - Loop Lady - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 3:00 pm: there was no way I was gonna check my coat at this cow palace parade…I asked a beverage server (surly?)about white wine choices I and she said, “We only got one, dis is it”…very classy…. - MLS Dev - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 3:26 pm: Yeah, we showed up kind of late and the coat check operation was already looking like a mess around 830pm so my wife wore her $5k fur coat because she didn’t want to check it but then you just had to dodge the sloppy drinkers. - Dooley Dudright - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 3:56 pm: “I should say this - that Pat doesn’t have a mink coat. But she does have a respectable Republican cloth coat. And I always tell her that she’d look good in anything.” — Richard M. Nixon, the “Checkers Speech”, September 23, 1952. Cloth coats for the Second Estate! Now THAT was a concept! (Thank you, Mr. President.) Moral: if ya ain’t got it, ya can’t flaunt it. (Or lose it, either.) - dumb ol' country boy - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 4:05 pm: The next trick for Governor Quinn…Taking the shirt right off your back! - Dooley Dudright - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 4:10 pm: @Dumb: Naw………got the FUR off a coupla backs, no? - Wensicia - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 4:39 pm: The state should replace the coats. We have too many coyotes running around this part of the state, anyway, use them. - JoePeoria - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 5:00 pm: Those 2 ladies(that had their fur coats stole) must have forgotten their mothers’ advice. Don’t socialize with the criminal element! - wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 8:02 pm: –my wife wore her $5k fur coat– Wow, another one. I’ve been duct-taping my furnace for weeks just to avoid replacing it this season. I could crank the BTUs with a $5G Carrier. To your good fortune, salud. - Retired Non-Union Guy - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 9:40 pm: This retiree’s wife’s fur coat (thigh length Chinese Goat) cost me a whole $300 about 25 years ago when I was still working and making a lot more money. She used to get more compliments on it than much more expensive furs. It’s so nice looking the local fur storage facility actually has several of their employees who want to buy it should she ever decide sell. These days the wife is more likely to wear her WW II leather bomber jacket than her fur, much less hassle. - wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 13, 11 @ 9:54 pm: –This retiree’s wife’s fur coat (thigh length Chinese Goat)– I still think you got ripped off. I mean, how can you be sure the goat was really from China? Unless it was a talking goat, and you actually talked to it before it was made into a coat (and you understood Chinese), it could have been from anywhere. - Pilgrim - Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 8:16 am: Could there be a connection between the missing fur coats and suddenly Republican Grundy County is offering a $15 bounty if you present them with a pair of coyote ears? Hmmm? Partisan poaching is my take on it. - Nuance - Friday, Jan 14, 11 @ 10:11 am: Wordslinger, you can tell it was a Chinese goat because there was a tag that said Made In China:) Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.