Maybe this can wait
Wednesday, Dec 4, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The very same columnist who broke the story about the expensive Statehouse copper doors wrote this without irony today…
For 30 years, I have seen the same old, same old in Springfield. At this time of year, workers climb onto the roof of the Capitol and string those multi-colored holiday lights.
It’s nice and everything, and it’s better than doing nothing, but those lights have gotten very, very old and tired. I am guessing that after so many years of this, people on the streets of Springfield glance at those lights, shrug because they have seen them so many times and then go on their way. That’s if they notice them at all anymore. […]
I suggest the state take a page from the Empire State Building. Put spotlights on the lower level of the Statehouse roof, point them at the Capitol dome and light it up. […]
The Illinois Capitol being a state government building, it’s not going to be used to promote private events, as is the Empire State Building. Everybody has their own cause to push and that can’t be accommodated. […]
Light up our Capitol dome for some national holidays and on 9/11 and on Lincoln’s birthday and other occasions deemed appropriate and non-controversial. I like the idea of lighting the Capitol dome in red, white and blue for July 4, Lincoln’s birthday, on the 200th anniversary of Illinois’ statehood in 2018 or for the annual Police Officers Memorial Day procession through Springfield.
But let’s take this idea a step further. The technology exists to project images onto objects even as huge as the Capitol dome. Why not project Lincoln’s image up there on his birthday and for other Lincoln events, such as the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of his burial in Springfield, taking place in 2015?
I actually like the idea.
But after the copper doors flap can you imagine the uproar if the state paid for all that?
- Anonymous One - Wednesday, Dec 4, 13 @ 10:32 am:
Quite apparent some people have WAY TOO MUCH time on their hands. This is of concern? Who gives a hoot?
- Anonymous One - Wednesday, Dec 4, 13 @ 10:33 am:
Any why wait? With all the “savings” the state now has on hand, do it NOW!
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Dec 4, 13 @ 10:34 am:
I guess I am the only one who remembers Tom Cross would project a light on the Dome so it would look like a golf ball when Cross wanted to call the HGOP to Caucus …
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Dec 4, 13 @ 10:42 am:
Start passing the hat, Dave. Nothing to stop a privately funded Friends of the Dome for decorations and special occasions.
While you’re at it, it might be a good idea for someone in Springfield to figure out a private use and financing for the mansion if they want to keep it. Given its use, it’s hard to justify public funds to maintain such an anachronism.
- Dark Side of the Moon - Wednesday, Dec 4, 13 @ 10:47 am:
Make a contest of it - I’m pretty some ‘bright’ young person can come up with some fascinating ideas either utilizing energy efficient bulbs - or something solar powered.
My reaction as a part time resident of Springfield when I saw it last week was ‘UGH’.
- countyline - Wednesday, Dec 4, 13 @ 10:52 am:
Just another attempt to remove any references of Christmas from public buildings.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Dec 4, 13 @ 10:58 am:
–Just another attempt to remove any references of Christmas from public buildings.–
LOL, where did that come from?
I saw that the nativity scene, Christmas tree, Menorah and winter solstice exhibit made it under The Dome yesterday.
No Festivus pole this year?
- MrJM - Wednesday, Dec 4, 13 @ 11:01 am:
“Just another attempt to remove any references of Christmas from public buildings.”
Frosty the Straw-Man?
– MrJM
- Norseman - Wednesday, Dec 4, 13 @ 11:01 am:
I always enjoy the Xmas lights on the Capitol. Who cares what Bakke thinks.
I suppose he’ll replace his Xmas tree at home with a 3-D TV that has a recording of different types of Xmas trees to keep him from being bored.
- Knome Sane - Wednesday, Dec 4, 13 @ 11:04 am:
@Norseman
Feeling a bit provocative today, are we?
- Dirty Red - Wednesday, Dec 4, 13 @ 11:09 am:
Just another slow news day. Nothing else happened that would be worthy of those column inches.
- Small Town Liberal - Wednesday, Dec 4, 13 @ 11:20 am:
- any references of Christmas -
Yep. I always liked that part of the bible where Jesus and the elves hung multicolored lights from the stable, or something like that. Better than the burning fir tree with presents underneath, IMHO.
- Nearly Normal - Wednesday, Dec 4, 13 @ 12:30 pm:
Snore.
- Arnold Ziffle - Wednesday, Dec 4, 13 @ 1:25 pm:
Heck, use the dome for the “Bat-Signal” … they obviously to need the help in there.
- Rail Sitter - Wednesday, Dec 4, 13 @ 1:40 pm:
AZ- It’s happened before… http://www.ilstatehouse.com/rumors.htm
Using the dome as a bat signal would actually be historically fitting.
- Publius - Wednesday, Dec 4, 13 @ 1:52 pm:
Well the BGA wants to throw some light on the Capitol…let them pay for it…hey, wait, bruce Rauner is into image with no substance perhaps he could pont up.
- Publius - Wednesday, Dec 4, 13 @ 1:55 pm:
“Pony up”
- Third Reading - Wednesday, Dec 4, 13 @ 7:17 pm:
Copper doors and irony — in the same sentence?
That’s showing your mettle!
I’m outta here.