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Illinois population center: Grundy County
Monday, May 2, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller * More evidence why the Illinois Republican Party needs to focus a lot more resources on the Chicago region…
This actually isn’t “new” news. The state’s population center has been in Grundy for the past twenty years. In fact, the population center actually moved a tiny bit south in the most recent census. * Meanwhile, I defended Rod Blagojevich for years for not living in Springfield. I have no regrets about that because I also criticized him for not showing up for session days. And, here we go again…
The Executive Mansion is not the White House. There is no requirement or even established tradition that he should live there, the whining from Springfield types notwithstanding. As the top story clearly shows, most of Illinois lives in the Chicago media market. Population trumps geography any day in my book. I really don’t care how many days the governor spends in Springfield as long as he gets the job done. By the end of the session, we’ll have a good idea if he cleared that particular hurdle. However, the governor has said time and time again that he “lives” at the mansion. That’s obviously not true, so this SJ-R story is a legit little gotcha. * And I do have another problem with the governor’s excuses…
Not true. The GA has been in session more than 24 days since Quinn was inaugurated. They surpassed 24 session days back in March. “I live at the mansion,” “I’m there whenever the Legislature is in town,” “I won’t support any tax increase above 1 percentage point,” “I’m for the death penalty,” “My helicopter couldn’t land in Cairo.” These things do add up.
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- cassiopia - Monday, May 2, 11 @ 3:35 am:
Quinn has always had trouble with the truth. It is only since he has been Governor that people have started to keep track of his statements. He doesn’t see it though. He thinks everything he does and says is beyond reproach and that everyone else is wrong.
Anyone that has worked with him has learned not to point out that he might be wrong. That is why truth tellers have long departed his staff and only the bobbing head yes people remain.
- wordslinger - Monday, May 2, 11 @ 6:52 am:
Given its lack of use, cost of operation and backlog of deferred maintenance, the mansion is an unnecessary luxury. Perhaps it’s time to knock it down before it falls down.
- Jimmy CrackCorn - Monday, May 2, 11 @ 9:18 am:
Cue the Quinn “underwear defense”
- Cincinnatus - Monday, May 2, 11 @ 9:23 am:
Are they sure Quinn wasn’t at the Mansion. I’m pretty sure HE doesn’t know where he is sometimes…
- Sugar Beet - Monday, May 2, 11 @ 9:38 am:
Pat Quinn survived only because of who he ran against. If the Illinois GOP had run anyone else (instead of Bill Brady) and it was a candidate who wasn’t known for being inflexible and rigid and known as the poster boy for “a right-winger’s right-winger”, then Quinn would have gone down in flames on election day. My guess is that Dan Rutherford will be Quinn’s next contender. If that should be the case, get out the crayolas and “color Quinn gone”.
Poor Quinn had become so steeped in surviving politically over the years that his salvation has suddenly become his achilles heel. Saying whatever you think will get you re-elected eventually fails. You wind up leaving a trail of false promises and lies that eventually come back to bite you. What had served Quinn well in the past will not necessarily continue to work for Quinn’s benefit in the future.
- RetiredStateEmployee - Monday, May 2, 11 @ 10:06 am:
Recently on Charlie Rose, he had a guest, James B. Stewart who has written a book “Tangled Webs: How American Society Is Drowning In Lies”. We have become a society where lying is indemic within all levels, especially in the leaders of industry and government. Unfortunately, we as a people have come to accept this behavior. It’s only perjury. Well perjury hurts everyone and we should take it more seriously. The governor should not be let off just because he can’t get his facts right.
- Fed up - Monday, May 2, 11 @ 10:11 am:
He lies all the time. Nice of you acknowledging it. Can’t wait to hear what he has to say about this years “balanced budget”.
- Anonymous - Monday, May 2, 11 @ 10:24 am:
Come on…its not a lie if he believes it.
- Mark - Monday, May 2, 11 @ 10:54 am:
Rich, in your opinion, should the Governor be in Springfield when the General Assembly is in session?
Can you state your logic either way?
How many days a year is the General Assembly in session (min, average, max)?
- Conservative Veteran - Monday, May 2, 11 @ 11:11 am:
Rich, that highway, in Grundy Co., is Illinois Rte. 47, not U.S. 47.
- Cincinnatus - Monday, May 2, 11 @ 11:17 am:
Mark,
Given the budget problems in the state, do you not feel that Quinn should be in Springfield to lead the debate?
It looks like the GA usually has about 5 months of sessions per year. The start date is determined by Constitution, the end date is determined by the GA leadership.
- zatioichi - Monday, May 2, 11 @ 11:41 am:
Playing a Truth card (Jon Kyl:’It’s not intended to be a factual statement’ after claiming 90% of what Planned parenthood does is abortion services) seems to be neck and neck with the Race card these days.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, May 2, 11 @ 3:20 pm:
I hate it when there is a disconnect between official talking points, the candidate, and the facts.
I’ve learned you can’t change two out of the three.