* My Sun-Times column…

Mayor Rahm Emanuel was in Peoria earlier this week talking about how Chicago and Downstate politicians need to stop fighting so much.

“The politics of the past where we used to play Chicago versus downstate is over. It doesn’t serve the people of Illinois,” Emanuel said, adding, “It’s not working anymore.”

I’ve lived in Chicago, but I was born Downstate. I have good friends and close family members in just about every part of Illinois. So, I’ve always been bothered by this divisive regionalism that has plagued our state since Chicago became a real city and the two regions began fighting over the spoils.

I don’t actually think that Downstaters really hate Chicago, or vice versa. It’s just an ingrained part of our state’s politics. The regions have fought each other for control for more than 150 years, and those battles have been handed down from generation to generation, always reignited by politicians hoping to win elections.

Mayor Emanuel’s call for a truce contained some nice words, and he seemed like he meant them. But he showed not long ago that he has problems understanding how to go about bringing the peace he says he wants.

One of the biggest issues in downstate politics is guns. Downstate legislators in both parties use the issue to whip up their constituents so they’ll ignore their other shortcomings. The same thing is done by Chicago politicians, only in the opposite direction.

The basic caricature is that Downstate politicians love guns and want one in every citizen’s hands, while Chicago politicians are afraid of guns and want to ban them entirely. It’s a tried-and true-issue they’ve used for years to distract voters from the many failures of this government.

Last year, Downstate legislators came closer than ever before to passing a bill allowing people to carry concealed, loaded handguns. At one point, they even thought they had enough votes to pass it. So, the pro-gun frenzy has been whipped up like crazy. The mood was elevated even further when Wisconsin legalized concealed carry, which makes Illinois the last state in the union without some sort of concealed-carry permitting.

Emanuel got along great with Downstate legislators last year. He courted them, flattered them and worked with them every chance he got, and many of them supported his legislative agenda. But then a few weeks ago the mayor announced that he wanted a new law to register all the handguns in Illinois. The mayor scored some routine political points with his gun-hating Chicago constituents, but he infuriated Downstaters, and the resulting explosion was cataclysmic.

Downstaters who had worked with Emanuel just days before began publicly ripping into him as if he were some sort of evil dictator bent on grabbing all their guns. Most are now using their opposition to Emanuel in their campaigns. Ironically enough, Emanuel helped boost Downstate legislators politically while simultaneously alienating them from his legislative agenda.

On the other side of the equation, though, is the Downstate ignorance about how deeply so many Chicagoans hate guns. Many Chicagoans are as insulted and infuriated by Downstate demands that people be able to legally carry loaded handguns on the city’s streets as downstaters are that they’ll have to pay $20 to register every handgun they own.

So, if the mayor really wants to work toward peace, he’ll first have to find a way to get past these gun issues. And if he can do that, he’s a better man than most.

* From the local coverage of the mayor’s Peoria visit..

“The politics of the past where we used to play Chicago versus downstate is over. It doesn’t serve the people of Illinois, who we all work for,” he said.

“We can’t let the regionalism or the differences of party pull us apart,” he added. “It’s not working anymore.”

In his lunchtime speech, Emanuel, a Democrat, offered up a list of his plans and achievements as mayor. And he emphasized that Illinois needs to work together and overcome partisan divisions, as he had done when working with LaHood, a Republican and former Illinois congressman.

He said he’ll need to work with downstate politicians to achieve much of what he hopes to do, particularly in the area of improving public schools.

Discuss.

…Adding… An oldie but goodie forwarded by a pal…

       

53 Comments - TCB - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 9:24 am: Isn’t Rahm the guy blaming about 1/3 of his city’s crime on the lack of a downstate gun registry? - Ahoy - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 9:25 am: I think it’s too bad that carrying around a loaded weapon seems to be the top priority for downstate politicians. Seems like we have bigger problems to solve. And I’m a downstate voter. - vise77 - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 9:26 am: Nice column, Rich. I have a similar geographical history, and I come from So. Ill. stock that is made up of hunters, target shooters and NRA members–even those who tend to vote Dem., of course. And I share the frustration. Among my biggest beefs are the gun people (some of whom I am closely related to) who think Chicago’s problems could be solved were everyone just walking the streets like a potential John Wayne or Chuck Norris. Ugh. Damn I love this state, almost as much as you do, but I wish we weren’t at each other’s throats so often. - western illinois - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 9:28 am: What do you mean by downstate The very rural areas of southern Illinois and other downstate areas that seem to have control of these downstate politicians or the urban areas or small town s where most downstaters live? - Retired Non-Union Guy - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 9:37 am: Actions speak louder than words. If Rahm meant it, he’d already have the bill pulled … - Bob - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 9:41 am: Rahm and Quinn both think of Chicago as Illinois and anything south as Southern Illinois. Listen to the Governors press conference in Harrisburg last week. Every other word was Southern Illinois. I never heard the Governor mention Illinois once in his speech. It was like we are not part of Illinois. So until Rahm and Pat can figure out everything south of I-80 is still part of the state of Illinois nothing will change. Let Them do what they want in Chicago, but leave us in the other state Southern Illinois alone!!!! - Stones - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 9:42 am: Regional politics existed before Rahm and will certainly exist after Rahm. While he is to be commended for his efforts, fundamental differences between Chicago and the rest of Illinois still exist. I don’t think those gaps will ever be fully bridged. - Skeeter - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 9:43 am: Maybe I’m being too cynical, but this seems to help both Chicago and Downstate Dems. Chicago Dems like Cassiday get to support something that plays well, while the downstaters get to show they are not just tools of Chicago. In the end, it may mean more downstate Dems keep their jobs. Seems like that may have been the goal all along. Is Rahm that smart? This was either a stupid move or a brilliant move. I’m pretty sure it is the second option. - Shemp - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 9:44 am: Hot air. For nearly as long as the division has existed, there have been people talking about ending it. The problem is the differences are real. Pleasantries can’t overcome fundamental differences, but I suppose it sounds nice enough. - langhorne - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 9:47 am: when neil hartigan was lt gov under walker, he also used to give a “we are one illinois” type of speech. but he was pretty powerless, so it was mainly a good stump speech. rahm, on the other hand, does have power and an agenda. his gun bill was a miscue. - Rich Miller - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 9:47 am: Bob, your comment made no sense on any level at all, perhaps because it appears to have been based on complete irreality. - He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 9:49 am: When Blago got elected, as his staff of which the majority from Chicago came down to Springfield (When they did come down) They treated poeple like we were country bumpkins that didn’t know squat. Throughout their devistation of state government, the Country Bumpkins kept the state running IN SPITE of them. If all the “Business People” who came into state government to run it like a business ran it like Blago’s staffers, it is no wonder that the economy is in the toilet. - Michelle Flaherty - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 9:58 am: It’s interesting that back in 96 and 97, it was Chicago and rural downstate that effectively teamed up to try to overhaul the state’s school funding system via Edgar’s tax swap. At the time, you had city and downstate members realizing that their communities shared the same problem in terms of lack of local resources. It was a city-downstate vs suburbs issue. Thanks to Pate, the suburbs won. Things certainly have changed. - soccermom - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 10:08 am: Can’t we all just get along and listen to Dire Straits? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu4oy1IRTh8 - Boone Logan Square - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 10:17 am: I love the cartoon flipping which stereotype is gun-totin’… - Anyone Remember? - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 10:19 am: Rich - Great column. As an immigrant to Illinois, I can’t convince the Downstate natives that for each Downstate Democrat who supports concealed carry (and opposes smoking bans and access to reproductive rights) there are two Suburban GOP Soccer Moms who oppose concealed carry (and support smoking bans and access to reproductive rights). As long as that dynamic exists - and it may change - Illinois will not be a concealed carry state. Depending upon which counties are included, about 2/3s of Illinois lives in the Greater Chicagoland Metro area. If Cook County and the Suburbs oppose something, it isn’t going to happen. This dynamic exists for other issues - in the past, look at Pate Philip’s support for Chicago items such as McPier. - wordslinger - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 10:21 am: I’m a farm boy who’s lived all over Illinois, now lives in the suburbs and does most of my work in Chicago. People who get played on regional politics are chumps. Always have been, always will be. - amalia - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 10:24 am: Good column, Rich. the bill should be pulled. - Anonymous - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 10:49 am: As with federal policy, rely on divisive social issues to distract from the real economic disaster. “Look over there– it’s somebody with a gun!” - D.P. Gumby - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 10:54 am: As a downstater from almost all over downstate who now works in Chi and lives (primarily) in Chi, I marvel at how many people in Chicago have never been anywhere further downstate than the ‘burbs. And, more importantly, know very little about downstate. Even the most rural downstaters have a passing knowledge of Chi along w/ their misconceptions and, more importantly, have had contact w/ Chicagoans. Same is not true of most Chicagoans. A most interesting sociological situation. - fed up - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 11:00 am: The gun issue is something both sides need to get past. Where I see the next big problem and it has been mentioned here several times is that Chicago pays for its teachers pensions while the rest of the state school districts dont. So chicago taxpayers are paying for pensions for their teachers but are also paying for the teachers making big bucks in New treir or Hinsdale, Orland Park and downstate. While the city is always crying broke maybe if it wasnt kicking in for teachers outside the city then CPS might have money for some new schools and better programs - lincoln's beard - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 11:13 am: As a Chicago resident, I marvel when downstaters complain that Chicagoans never visit their part of the state. What the heck would I do down there? I’m going to drive four hours so I can look at some old tractors near a picturesque barn and eat at the equivalent of a Cracker Barrel? Seriously, what’s going on down there that I can’t do better up here? - Shore - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 11:20 am: Rahm’s brilliance as DCCC chief was his ability to pick the right issues at the right time to hit incumbent republicans with like nailing a conservative with a big military base in his district on voting to cut soldiers benefits instead of say expanding funding for education which would not have played as well. This is the opposite of that. Crime has fallen off as an issue and even in communities where it’s a big problem right now the economy is so much more important. He should be trying to channel Rahm the DCCC chief in focusing on the right issues at the right time with the right leaders rather than getting cocky and reinforcing negative stereotypes. - lincolnlover - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 11:21 am: Chicagoans like to tell downstaters why they hate guns: guns kill (although you can kill someone with many other implements, too). But do they ever listen to the reasons why downstaters want guns? My extended downstate family are Paul Douglas democrats, but they all own guns. THERE IS NO POLICE PROTECTION WHERE WE LIVE. Its as basic as that: the right to protect your family and your property to your best ability involves guns. - Rich Miller - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 11:37 am: ===Seriously, what’s going on down there that I can’t do better up here? === What a truly stupid question. It’s so stupid, in fact, that it doesn’t even deserve the dignity of a response. And I’m speaking as someone who is headed to Chicago tonight to see a show I’d never be able to see Downstate. - Anyone Remember? - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 11:51 am: lincoln lover - ==THERE IS NO POLICE PROTECTION WHERE WE LIVE.== There is police protection where I live Downstate. I do appreciate farmers / ranchers might need legal ability to use weapons on their property away from the residence, but are there random shootings in the streets where you live? Where I live, if you avoid drug transaction areas, there are no shootings. Truly curious about your experience. - Cook County Commoner - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 12:13 pm: Good article. But I have my doubts that most Chicagoans and those living in the close-in suburbs really hate guns to the point they would sign-on to the Mayor’s proposal. Maybe it’s only the folks who finance the local officials who really hate guns. A referenum on the topic would be interesting, but I understand presently Chicago has the lowest number of registered voters in 70 years. About the only thing that is clear is Chicagoans are not interested in democracy. May be the real difference here is that downstaters are more interested in personal freedom and government’s impact on it while Chicagoans are more interested in ???? when it comes to government. - lincoln's beard - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 12:15 pm: I apologize, Rich, for taking that tone in asking my stupid question. I do wonder, though, what’s downstate that I might like to do or see. Keep in mind that I live in a small apartment in an urban environment and own no camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, or other outdoor gear. There’s no where around here to use it, and I don’t have any place to keep it. I’m used to living within walking distance to some of the greatest art collections, restaurants, musical venues, and cultural attractions in the world. I’d love to take a long drive into the depths of Illinois, to support my home state and all of its residents and communities, but I just can’t imagine what sort of attraction is out there for someone like me. - John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 12:34 pm: >>>>The gun issue is something both sides need to get past. I’ll get past it when the Chicago Political Machine stops trying to tax/take my guns and ammo, and supports my right to self defense outside the home. ie,. when the city recognizes the 2nd Amendment, when the city recognizes Art 22 in the Illinois Constitution BOR. Until then, let it fly. - John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 12:36 pm: >>>>THERE IS NO POLICE PROTECTION WHERE WE LIVE This is true in a lot of places. When seconds count, the police are only minutes away, or only half hour away. Either way, it’s too late. The police are not there to protect you. The police are there to draw the chalk outline and then find the guy that did it. - Pot calling kettle - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 12:46 pm: In the JJJ/Halvorson thread, I posted the following: If you live in much of JJJ’s district and hear a gunshot outside, you can assume a person has been shot. If you live in much of Debbie’s old district and hear a gunshot outside, you can assume a raccoon, opossum, or skunk has met its end. Very different perspectives. If the downstaters were more realistic about this, we would probably have concealed carry. This Spring, it is the insistence on a majority large enough to override home rule that is preventing Phelps from passing his bill. I realize there are other hurdles, but Phelps has a big one of his on devising. On the other hand, the Chicago-areas folks need to respect the rights of downstaters and limit the scope of their guns legislation to the areas that want it (and downstaters need to respect that some communities might value and benefit some gun control). I know that creates a patchwork, but I’m sure fix could be negotiated. The Farm Bureau has an adopt-a-legislator program to help broaden the perspectives of urban legislators. We could benefit from more of these exchanges going both ways. I realize that people like “lincoln’s beard” may never understand why some people value a dark sky and a 20-mile drive for a gallon of milk, and that others will never understand living in a place where you cannot see the stars or find a place to park your car. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. I have lived in Chicagoland and some very rural parts of Illinois, and I see much to like in both places. One of the things that I like most about living in Illinois is the variety. - Anyone Remember? - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 12:47 pm: John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt - I know police officers / their families where I live, and they do protect people & are more than chalk artists. Where I live, if you avoid certain areas at certain times of the day (actually, late night and early morning), there are no shootings. - lincoln's beard - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 12:52 pm: I completely understand why someone might want to *live* downstate. Open spaces, access to nature, more distance between you and your annoying neighbor, fresh air, dark skies, the wind blowing across the prairie, putting your hands into the good earth and raising up crops from a seed, walking the perimeter of your property with your dog, repairing your fence, plinking at tin cans, watching the seasons change, not hearing sirens all the time, the pace of life, being near family and rooted connections to the land, etc. What I don’t understand is why someone might want to *visit* downstate. - Pot calling kettle - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 1:00 pm: ==What I don’t understand is why someone might want to *visit* downstate.== For all of the reasons you listed. A few days or a week might be better than none at all. - Downstate - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 1:01 pm: Lincoln’s Beard Shawnee National Forest The Garden of the Gods Lincoln Museum & Presidential Library Mt. Vernon’s CedarHurst Outdoor Art Center - More than 60 sculptures Wineries - beautiful settings, beautiful drives Lincoln Farm - Charleston, IL Incredible Lakes - John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 1:04 pm: >>>>If the downstaters were more realistic about this, we would probably have concealed carry. More realistic, how? That urban minorities should not have the right, too? That any community with home rule should be able to opt out? I don’t think that’s why the ISRA and SAF took the McDonald Plaintiffs to the dance. - Anyone Remember? - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 1:08 pm: John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt ==I don’t think that’s why the ISRA and SAF took the McDonald Plaintiffs to the dance.== ?? - OurMagician - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 1:38 pm: I’m thinking Lincoln’s Beard might be Blago, sounds like his reasoning for not living in the Governor’s mansion. - Lester Holt's Mustache - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 2:02 pm: We are all getting played, I think. IMO, the republicans and democrats in the Illinois legislature purposefully do not include a home rule exemption in any of these handgun bills. There are home rule exemptions in other states - i.e, you can carry in Albany, NY but not in Manhattan, NY - yet the Legislature refuses to run a concealed carry bill with a home rule exemption. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I don’t think either side would need to get a 2/3 majority vote if these various handgun bills didn’t override home rule. As the man said, all this arguing does is to keep giving them something to distract your attention with. This way - Barbara Flynn Currie can say “Vote for me! You can help me in the fight to prevent road rage killings! People are shooting each other on the side of the expressways, for gods’ sake! Sam McCann can say “Vote for me! You can help me fight for your rights to be responsible gun owners! Don’t let Chicago Democrats take away your guns and allow criminals to kill your families!” - Dirty Red - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 2:12 pm: = I don’t actually think that Downstaters really hate Chicago… = Of course not. You roll with the cool downstaters and the transplants. If it weren’t for traffic on the Stevenson, the Downstate Illinois Militia would be en route with railroad ties, tar and feathers. - John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 2:16 pm: @ Anyone Remember? >>>> ?? Otis McDonald did not go the the Supreme Court to secure his right to own a handgun in Chicago, or anywhere else in the USA, only to come home to find that he’s going to have to go through the same fight in order to carry it, too. ie, if faced with a CCW system that issues permits in Illinois but not in Chicago… - Eastlakeview - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 2:37 pm: I grew up in Central Illinois and now live in Chicago. My main observation is downstaters think people in Chicago bad mouth them all the time, but the reality is I never hear people talking about the rest of the state outside the suburbs. One of the biggest mistake that Chicagoans make is they assume all of Illinois looks like the flat farmland along 55 and 57. In regards what to see and do, the Dana-Thomas house is better than any Frank Lloyd Wright house in Chicago area, the State Fair is amazing pure Americana, Galena is fascinating history and beauty, the Lincoln sites are great, etc. - Skirmisher - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 2:53 pm: Hi, Lincoln’s Beard- I understand your point of view entirely: I myself visited Chicago 27 years ago and can’t imagine why anyone in their right mind would want to do it again. You are correct: There is nothing down here in the boonies for folks like you. Please stay where you are, and while you are it it, keep your politicians up there also! Now I reckon I will toddle off to the general store and whittle a spell (Hee-haw!). - Anyone Remember? - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 3:08 pm: John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt Thank you. When I hear “McDonald plaintiff” I think of hot coffee and 3rd degree burns. - Anonymous - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 3:20 pm: “…to support my home state and all of its residents and communities, but I just can’t imagine what sort of attraction is out there for someone like me.” Obviously, the fact that the State is comprised of wonderful, interesting, and often kind people with different views, backgrounds, and lifestyles is lost on Lincoln’s Beard. The type of deep “attractions” that seem to appeal to you can be found at Disneyland and Epcot. - The REAL Anonymous f/k/a Anonymous - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 3:23 pm: That was me, BTW. - The REAL Anonymous f/k/a Anonymous - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 3:35 pm: “…keep your politicians up there also!” Now that was unkind, Skirmisher. Aside from a few, couldn’t we come up with a way to send most of them at ALL levels back to DC for good? Lately, they seem to be into the same type of “attractions” as well, so why make them suffer here with the rest of us uncultured brutes from across the State? - Rich Miller - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 3:37 pm: Skirmisher, you represent just about everything I detest about Downstaters. Congrats. - The REAL Anonymous f/k/a Anonymous - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 3:44 pm: Well then…I suppose I should qualify for some “honorable” mention for calling out “Lincoln’s Beard,” too. - Peggy R/Southern - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 3:52 pm: Is Rahm planning a run for governor, I presume? I have never been so insulted as when Chicago-based state employees would arrive in SPFLD and seem surprised that I’d wear a suit to the office. They were apparently looking for overalls and a straw hat, just like the cartoon here. I managed to be sophisticated enough to be a consultant in Wash DC for several years, thank you very much. - The REAL Anonymous f/k/a Anonymous - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 4:04 pm: I remember the days when “polite society” were just that, rather than having to “one-up” themselves at someone else’s expense. I think it had something to do with confidence, appreciation for others, and good manners, which I’m guessing would be the secret to Peggy R’s “sophistication” and success. (Good for you, Peggy!) - Skeeter - Friday, Mar 9, 12 @ 4:40 pm: I’m amused by the thin skin from some of the downstate people. Are you really shocked that somebody from Chicago might not want to visit downstate? Hmm, where I should I go this next vacation? I’m thinking either a week at the Four Seasons in Maui, or maybe I will head down to Watseka. Let’s contemplate that one for a while. I don’t know. I’m thinking Maui this time, but Watseka is definitely on the list! Get serious The Real Anon (and others). There may well be some great places downstate to live and raise a family. But that doesn’t mean that the rest of us want to spend much time there. It is nothing personal. Lighten up. - TCB - Monday, Mar 12, 12 @ 10:22 am: Thought I sent this earlier, but must’ve forgotten to hit “Say It!” Skeeter, big difference between Maui & downstate…..but we aren’t talking about extended vacations. The poster made it clear that he has no interest in visiting downstate whatsoever. Not even for a day trip or a weekend, that’s just closed-minded and silly. I’m sure if he spent a day in the Garden of the Gods or watching bald eagles in along the Illinois/Mississippi rivers or paying a visit to the Lincoln Museum he’d probably appreciate it a little more down here. As someone already mentioned, there’s a lot more to downstate IL than the corn fields along I-57 and I-55. In fact, it’s attitudes like that which cause me to visit St. Louis much more often than Chicago, not to mention Chicago is twice as far. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.