Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Wednesday, Nov 4, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

The dome of the Illinois State Capitol won’t be adorned with the usual festive string lights this holiday season, a victim not of the Grinch but the ongoing budget impasse between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic legislative leaders.

Secretary of State Jesse White, whose office maintains the historic building, announced Tuesday that the dome will go dark this year because while a “nice tradition” the Christmas lights are “nonessential” as he tries to save money as the state enters its fifth month without a full budget.

The office has yet to make a decision about decorations inside the Capitol, where a giant Christmas tree and menorah are usually displayed in the rotunda.

White spokesman Dave Druker estimated the lights cost roughly $7,300 to put up each year — a pittance relative to the nearly $3 million the office says it owes Springfield’s municipal utility company.

* Finke…

Each year since the 1960s, workers from the secretary of state’s office have hung 260-foot strands of lights from the Capitol dome to the building’s roof. It normally takes a crew of 12 from 2 1/2 to three hours to install the lights. The strands use 25-watt bulbs that were commonly used for Christmas lights in the 1950s and ’60s. Two years ago, White’s office said more modern, LED bulbs might be used at some point, but there was no timetable for it.

White’s office has said it is an ongoing battle to deal with the effects of the state not having a budget in place. The office already announced it would not mail notices to people when it’s time to renew their license plate stickers, a move that will save $450,000 a month in postage costs. The savings will allow the office to stretch out money remaining in its postage account “for a few months longer” and enable the office to continue mailing the renewal stickers themselves along with titles and license plates.

The office also has been dealing with vendors who no longer want to do business with the state because they are not being paid for the work they do. The office even warned that power could be turned off at the Capitol because the state cannot pay its utility bills. However, Springfield’s City Water, Light and Power said a power shut-off is not imminent.

Thoughts?

67 Comments

- Not quite a majority - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:12 am:
So is this the part where the Krumpus shows up and throws us all in a perpetual winter?

- Dome Gnome - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:12 am:
But how will I see?

- hot chocolate - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:14 am:
I have always thought that the Christmas lights on the capiol looked trashy. Several strands going from the top down to the sides looks more like a trailer park Christmas tree then a state capitol building. Even $7,300 in savings is worth eliminating the eyesore.

- cdog - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:15 am:
Obviously another Rauner fail.

All the years Madigan has been running the state, he didn’t take away our pretty lights. /s

- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:15 am:
$20 million - “Citizens For Rauner”

$9 million - IllinoisGO

Welp, “crisis creates opportunity”, how about a check?

- Anotherretiree - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:16 am:
“a victim not of the Grinch”
I have to disagree…it is the Grinch…..

- Mouthy - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:16 am:
CWLP should go to court and request a lien on the Capitol Building..

- Give Me A Break - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:17 am:
How about we just turn to the dome into a giant Festivus Pole? No lights needed.

- cdog - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:17 am:
Rauner needs a refresher course in Organizational Behavior, with special focus on the Motivation chapters.

- Huh? - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:19 am:
Nothing inside or out except a sign stating that because a budget hasn’t been passed, there isn’t any money for displays commemorating religious holidays such as Christmas or Hanukkah.

- The Captain - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:19 am:
How about a fundraiser, we could sell some coloring books.

- You're a mean one. Mr Rauner - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:20 am:
Perhaps we could organize a GoFund me page? Let’s save Christmas. If we fall short, we can donate any funds raised to a local food pantry.

- Downstate GOP Faithless - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:20 am:
I don’t understand spending decisions…they just sent Ald. Jobe & his assistant to London but are making a statement by not dressing up the Capitol building this year?

- Downstate GOP Faithless - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:21 am:
And I understand the SOS is making the call, but at least from a perception standpoint, it is a decision made because the of the inability of the Governor to lead.

- Give Me A Break - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:22 am:
And keeping with the Holday theme, we could call the Leader’s Meeting with the Gov, the Airing of The Grievances.

- Aldyth - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:23 am:
During the early days of my agency, we squeezed every penny as far as it would go. If you needed a new legal pad, you had to bring the cardboard back of the old one to the secretary to get it. If you needed a pencil, you had to bring the stub of the old one to trade for the new one.

Jesse White is to be applauded for setting priorities in how money is going to be spent. There are poor people who won’t be celebrating Christmas this year due to the governor. I see no reason to decorate when they are suffering.

- Cubs in '16 - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:24 am:
Obviously more of a symbolic decision than a financial one but at least the SOS is trying to call public attention to how dire a situation the lack of a budget is causing. I would rather see this than Rep Ives calling Rich “incredible” and saying how dare he call her out on the coloring books. Jesse White seems to ‘get it’.

- Honeybear - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:26 am:
That just saddens me. I was rather looking forward to them. I get it it’s stupid to be attached to something like that but there you have it.

- Big Joe - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:31 am:
And we follow the Airing of Grievances with Madigan and Cullerton in a tag-team match against Brucie in the Feats of Strength.

- Archiesmom - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:32 am:
I’m joining with the advocates of a GoFundMe page. Bring back Christmas to Springfield!

- FIREDup! - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:33 am:
Sent Ald. Jobe and his assistant to London yet DECIMATED Choose Chicago’s funding (and staff). No rhyme or reason. This man was elected a year ago today and we’ve quickly gone from bad to way worse.

- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:34 am:
Well, we can either turn the lights on and spent the $7,300 - OR, we can keep paying Rauner his buck a year salary for the next 7,300 years.

Our choice.

- Formerly Known As... - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:35 am:
==they just sent Ald. Jobe & his assistant to London but are making a statement by not dressing up the Capitol building this year==

Odd.

- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:35 am:
HBO - “Dad’s Home State” - Season 1, Episode 89

Bruce offers to pay for Capitol Dome lights to be strung. Electricity in the Capitol is turned off for non-payment on the bill. Diana hires a Crisis Manager for her image in the Social Services community. Diana’s state employee offers Crisis Manager a bottle of Tums. Lance tweets artsy pictures of Bruce’s thumbs up, “ck” watches “Scrooged” on Netflex. Comedy, 63 minutes.

- DuPage - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:35 am:
Some company could get some good publicity by donating strings of new LED lights.

- Realkewlio - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:40 am:
This is likely the only other story concerning the budget impasse that will make national headlines from Comedy Central and others- Illinois Scrooges on Christmas and lottery winners still aren’t getting paid. /s

- cdog - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:41 am:
Nice, OW!

I hope in that episode, Brucie upgrades to LED to show up his .01% donor friends!

- 4th Street - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:42 am:
I can’t wait for the Fox news report: Another Democrat liberal joins the War on Christmas! /s/

- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:42 am:
Meh. The homeless can’t get help, parents are losing childcare, and domestic violence shelters are closing. But oh my the Christmas lights. I think this is the biggest non-issue of the whole mess. Somehow, why do I get the feeling this will make the most news? Oy.

- Former Hoosier - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:42 am:
Although it is a symbolic decision, I agree that is yet another way for Jesse White to draw attention to this ludicrous situation.

Have you seen the pictures of Gov. Rauner dressed as the Cat in the Hat for Halloween? Do you think he gets the irony of him dressing as a character who destroyed a house while the mother was gone? While the adults are away…

- Skeptic - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:43 am:
Another Machiavellian plan devised plan by atheists on the on-going war on Christmas. Fund Rauner’s campaign so he’d get elected, ask him to hold up the budget for months so that we couldn’t afford Christmas lights, and bam! Brilliant! /snark

- Anon2U - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:45 am:
Hot chocolate @ 9:14 is correct! Beautiful building made to look like the Christmas tree from the Peanuts with pitiful single strands of lights.

- LizPhairTax - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:46 am:
This is more a people who live in Springfield question than a political question:

Did you like the hub and spoke strings that much? They are kind of nice, but never really blow your mind.

I don’t know the electrical workings of the building, but could something be done with the uplights that illuminate the dome? Still festive and way cheaper.

- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:47 am:
===I hope in that episode, Brucie upgrades to LED to show up his .01% donor friends!===

You’ll have to watch HBO’s “Dad’s Home State” to find out! Check your satellite/cable provider for dates and times it will run.

To the Post,

I’m waiting for the Rauner Crew to say;

“It’s Secretary White’s choice… ”

That would be “fun”

- Gruntled University Employee - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:49 am:
The dome of the Illinois State Capitol won’t be adorned with the usual festive string lights this holiday season, a victim of the Grinch, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.

There, fixed it for ya

- Oh, Springfield! - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:50 am:
My guess is we could save enough money for 10 years’ worth of Christmas light from the ink we saved if we just printed “Illinois Secretary of State” instead of “Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White” everywhere.

- Flynn's Mom - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:51 am:
I love the Festivus pole idea.Can’t wait for the airing of the grievances. ” I got a lot of problems with you people! And now you’re gonna hear about it!”

- Crispy - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:53 am:
@Former Hoosier: No, I think he’s honestly oblivious. Sadly.

- walker - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:55 am:
One might ding Jesse White for a symbolic gesture, if not for his current postage cuts, and his team’s history of upgrading SOS services and systems in recent years. They have more to do, but compared to the nightmare they were under his predecessor, he has proven a very capable leader.

- Stones - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 9:56 am:
Adorning the Capitol dome with lumps of coal may be appropriate.

- Flynn's Mom - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:02 am:
Good one OW!

- RetiredStateEmployee - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:02 am:
Just got my licence plate sticker and drivers licence renewed before they shut down. No telling how much longer they will be able to stay open.

- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:06 am:
- Flynn’s Mom -,

The development of the lights made the producers retool last night’s episode.

Hope you understand, glad you liked today’s rollout. Stay tuned.

- WhoKnew - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:11 am:
OW - Still anxiously waiting on details for the “Circumvention” episode of Dad’ Home State!

Should be a “Hoot”!

- Flynn's Mom - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:23 am:
OW, I love every episode of Dad’s Home State. It’s the best show in years. I’m looking forward to the “very special” Thanksgiving episode.

- illini - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:27 am:
BVR does not want to get into a fight with Jesse White - he knows he will lose that battle!

- Gone, but not forgotten - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:44 am:
“Star Shower”!!! Available at Walgreen’s for $39.99! Two or three of these will bathe the Capitol Building in red, green and white lights. No labor involved, just plug in and place in ground at strategic points for the best effect.

- Golfman-r - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:55 am:
Jesse White and the drivers licenses he controls

- Mama - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:59 am:
“I don’t know the electrical workings of the building, but could something be done with the uplights that illuminate the dome? Still festive and way cheaper.”
Many moons ago, they tried illuminating the dome for Christmas, but people did not like it. They went back to the Christmas tree lights.

- Honeybear - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:04 am:
Mama- Great idea! I’d say stick some green plastic wrap in front of the lights! There, now it’s holiday. You’re welcome.

- Ghost - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:04 am:
its not like we have tourists or tourism that we want to project positive images from our capitol to support

- John A Logan - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:07 am:
uncle

- Mama - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:11 am:
“White’s office has said it is an ongoing battle to deal with the effects of the state not having a budget in place.”
Rich, is anyone keeping tabs on all the vendors, etc., that have stopped providing goods &/or services with the State of IL due to no FY16 budget? Would each state agency/board keep their own records of such occurrences or is there a central statewide agency such as CMS, SOS or the Comptroller keeping a comprehensive list of all dropped goods and services.

- Cheryl44 - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:58 am:
We shouldn’t be decorating government owned spaces for religious holidays.

- Hit or Miss - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:59 am:
===However, Springfield’s City Water, Light and Power said a power shut-off is not imminent.===

I wonder what there justification is for not turning off the water and power is?

- Mattman - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 12:00 pm:
Jesse White is one of the most sensible, realistic, trustworthy politicians in Springfield. Too bad the guy is 80 and not 40.

- Lottoman - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 12:34 pm:
=== @walker ====

Jesse White has proven to be a capable leader. The chaos that used to inhabit the SOS offices has shown great improvement. The plan to not send out license plate reminder notices should be made permanent.

- ejhickey - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 12:38 pm:
want the lights on the Capitol building? Crack open your check book and write a check for the $7300. start a crowdfunding project to get the lights on. Or just call 7 friends and ask them to chip in $1000 each for the lights. as for me,I am in Chicago and didn’t even know they had lights on the dome and I really don’t care. glad Jesse is saving some money even if it is a drop in the bucket. Every little bit of savings counts. Same thing for the City of Chicago’s tree.

- jknell - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 1:44 pm:
=The dome of the Illinois State Capitol won’t be adorned with the usual festive string lights this holiday season, a victim of the Grinch, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.

There, fixed it for ya=

Sometimes symbolism counts, and this is one of them.

- Flynn's Mom - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 2:11 pm:
Maybe there will be a Grinch like ending with BVR’s small heart growing three sizes on Christmas Eve and he’ll come down the dome on a sled with strings of lights and a budget in his bag. But that probably won’t happen. If anything his heart will remain as small and maybe even shrink.

- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 3:43 pm:
(Tips cap to - cdog -)

- Nighthawk644 - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 3:53 pm:
$7300.00 savings???? How about the SOS stop sending out all those notices that your Lic plate sticker is about to expire to the tune of $450,000.00 per month???? I would call THAT “non-essential.”

- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 3:56 pm:
===How about the SOS stop sending out all those notices that your Lic plate sticker is about to expire===

They did that weeks ago.

Did you injure your head or something? Either way, take a nap.

- Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 4:08 pm:
So now our great Illinois pols have stolen Christmas

- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 4:12 pm:
===have stolen Christmas===

They’re lights. If those lights were your Christmas, then you really need to get out more often.

- Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 4:51 pm:
Madigan and Rauner could easily split the bill for this one.

They are both very wealthy men. This is peanuts.

- cdog - Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 8:44 pm:
OW, merci beaucoup, mon ami.

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