Happy birthday, Illinois!
Monday, Dec 3, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Let’s kick it off…
I have lived in this state for all but about four years of my life. As a college student, I chose to move back here from Germany when my parents were transferred back to the states. My late friend Brian Monahan once told me during a period of transition for both of us that I needed to find a place to make my stand. I chose Illinois. I would choose it again. Despite all the problems here, I love this state.
* From the governor’s daily public schedule…
What: Gov. Rauner hosts the Illinois Bicentennial Birthday Party
Where: Navy Pier, Aon Grand Ballroom, 840 E. Grand Ave., Chicago
Date: Monday, December 3, 2018
Time: 7:30 p.m.
* This won’t be like the grand celebrations we’ve had in the past…
In contrast to Indiana [which spent $55 million on its bicentennial] and Mississippi, which allocated about $90 million to build both a Civil Rights and History museum to mark its bicentennial in 2017, Illinois’ Bicentennial Commission raised only $1.4 million for events and programs, according to deputy Gov. Leslie Munger. […]
In 1868, the state’s 50th anniversary, construction began on the current Illinois State Capitol. For the state’s centennial in 1918, the Centennial Building (later renamed the Michael J. Howlett Building) was dedicated along with the statues of Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in front of the Statehouse.
And for the state’s sesquicentennial in 1968, the Old State Capitol building was rebuilt brick-by-brick and restored to become one of the state’s premier historic sites.
“Those were done with state funds,” said state Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, a co-chair of the Bicentennial Commission. “Obviously, in today’s budget climate, it’s a different situation. We’re not going to build a building. But, certainly, the way that communities have stepped up across the state is probably the best thing that I’ve seen to help celebrate.”
* Looking on the bright side…
On one hand, that’s disappointing. As we were told more than 40 years ago, when the United States was marking its bicentennial, these kind of celebrations only come once in a lifetime.
On the other hand, maybe the people who would be attending a celebration like the bicentennial party are instead working on things that will be as significant when the 300th birthday comes around.
* Related…
* Illinois Marks Bicentennial With Celebration at Navy Pier: There will be appearances from Illinois leaders in entertainment, sports, and politics - including joint appearances by Gov. Bruce Rauner and Governor-elect J.B. Pritzker.
* Illinois gears up for 200th birthday party Monday: Three-time Olympic track and field gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee of East St. Louis will lead a celebration of championships won by Chicago’s football Bears, basketball Bulls, hockey Blackhawks and baseball Cubs and White Sox, along with remembering championships won by the Rockford Peaches of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, whose heyday was during and just after World War II. Miguel Cervantes, who plays the title role in the Chicago version of the Broadway smash “Hamilton,” will perform “All People are Created Equal,” a rap rendition of Lincoln’s immortal words at Gettysburg, accompanied by high school musical theater award-winners, and Buddy Guy, the “King of Chicago Blues,” will cap the night.
* Chicago’s Eli’s Cheesecake created the party’s bicentennial birthday cake. The “Honest Abe Apple Cheesecake” is shaped like the state capitol dome. It will be served to party guests after the Chicago Symphony Orchestra plays “Happy Birthday” and Rauner and Pritzker cut the cake. Ingredients include: 575 pounds of cream cheese, 90 pounds of sugar, 65 pounds of sour cream, 65 dozen eggs, 2 pounds of vanilla, a 60 pound shortbread cookie crust, 53 pounds of fondant and 75 pounds of apples.
* Watches made by Lincoln allies still ticking at Illinois’ bicentennial: The Bunns, meanwhile, were benefactors of Lincoln’s campaign for president, according to Ian Hunt, chief of acquisitions at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. “When Lincoln almost entirely quits the practice of law in 1860… it was realized pretty quickly that he would amass expenses incidental to the campaign,” he said, cautioning that the men were important but don’t own sole responsibility for Lincoln’s presidency. “Ten Republican leaders, including both John and Jacob Bunn, each pledged $500 dollars to what became known as the Sangamon County Finance Committee.”
* Slavery in early Illinois: The untold battle to keep the state free: When the call for a convention was made, Birkbeck wrote letters to the Illinois newspapers under the pseudonym Jonathan Freeman to speak out against this. In these letters, he argued against slavery and against a constitutional convention by making the case that white people in Illinois should consider the threat of black people living in their state. This sounds incredibly racist on face value, but my research suggests that Birkbeck was trying to push the anti-slavery movement by appealing to the mindset of southern Illinois citizens at the time, or put another way, he was trying to write to the people in terms they would understand.
* Happy birthday, Illinois: In honor of Illinois becoming a state on this date in 1818, let’s take a look at what we Illinoisans voted as the “Illinois Top 200.”
* Illinois’ hair-raising history of beasts, legends
* Trees planted in Charleston in recognition of Illinois Bicentennial
* Two Freeport residents to be honored in Chicago during Illinois Bicentennial celebration
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 2:49 pm:
Happy Birthday Illinois. The state has lots of problems but lots to like and be proud of as well. Illinois has been exploited and slurred by people who’ve trashed the state for their agendas, but who’ve done great here, like Rauner and other wealthy or economically well-off right wingers.
- Annonin' - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 2:54 pm:
Let’s first be honest. PQ and GovJunk both flunked Celebration 101. At 2:40 pm. GovJunk tweets a picture with the Outgoing Mexico Consul General…not the perfect birthday message. He should have used the money he wasted on the GOPie AG candidate on 2 or 3 giant fireworks shows — but no all we get is GovJunk and Governor-elect.
Only 9(nine) hours left to midnight better pick up the pace
- 47th Ward - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 2:54 pm:
Doesn’t look a day older than 180.
- Bourbon Street - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 2:56 pm:
The Illinois Top 200 is a great list, but it neglects to mention Illinois’ leadership in the area of law. Illinois is the birthplace of the juvenile court system, making it the first state to officially recognize that children need special treatment, not just punishment. Illinois also amended its criminal code in the early 1960’s, essentially creating a model penal code. Of significance is the fact that, when the Stonewall riots occurred in 1969 in NYC (the riots helped jump-start the gay liberation movement), Illinois was the only state that did not criminalize gay sex.
- cover - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 3:04 pm:
= At 2:40 pm. GovJunk tweets a picture with the Outgoing Mexico Consul General =
Gov. Rauner can’t help the timing of Mexico’s leadership change. Rauner tweeted a bicentennial message about an hour beforehand, which is still visible on the CapFax sidebar as I’m typing this comment.
- NeverPoliticallyCorrect - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 3:09 pm:
I am embarrassed by our celebration of this event. Again, both parties are to blame. They could have been working together for years to make it something special for the citizens but instead it’s like a bad office party no one comes to. The people of Illinois are good, hardworking people but they seem to elect some of the biggest jerks in politics.
- Anon221 - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 3:17 pm:
One of the DJs on WJBC at the time made up a song about the “Thunderbird” sightings in 1977. I can’t find it on the Google, but it was very funny.
- Old Shepherd - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 3:28 pm:
This would have been a great time to build a Bicentennial Building to replace the Stratton Building. It would have been a nice compliment to the Centennial (Howlett) Building.
- Jibba - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 3:35 pm:
So who wants to try and downsize that Eli’s cheesecake recipe? Divide by 300?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 3:36 pm:
Happy birthday, Illinois.
By thy rivers…
Bless you, bless all who reside here, and let’s work for a better tomorrow.
Here’s to another 200 years, and beyond.
- Amalia - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 3:38 pm:
would not be a birthday without Eli’s Cheesecake. that is one supportive company.
- Anonymous - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 3:46 pm:
What a long strange trip its been.
- Henry Francis - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 3:46 pm:
NPC - good characterization of an office holiday party no one wants to go to. I wonder how the pageantry and celebration tonight compares to the Guv’s innarguration ball. Priorities.
Illinois is a great state, with a rich history, and much to celebrate. It’s a shame someone like Rauner has run down this state and been incompetent at just about everything he has tried to do. (Mansion renovation, yes. Anything else?)
- lakeside - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 4:00 pm:
Shep - I read your comment, but was still thinking about the cheesecake (pics from someone these, please?), so thought initially you were suggesting the celebratory cheesecake should have been in the shape of the Stratton Building.
…which would have been amazing, to be honest.
- Union thug - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 4:05 pm:
As far as “celebrations” go this one is pathetic. If it wasn’t for the local radio and occasional mention on this blog. I would have no idea. This and the fairgrounds fiasco is a testament to the private donation sham for public good.
- Earnest - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 4:07 pm:
I may be naive, but I see more potential than problem in Illinois. We’re a diverse state in every way with so many strengths to build from in confronting our current challenges. Our greatest failing has been electing bad leaders and failing to hold them accountable. Hopefully we will make the hard and smart choices to leave the people planning the 250th with a state budget that will allow them to dream big for their future.
- Practical Politics - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 5:39 pm:
Can anyone explain why the Illinois State Seal lists “August 26, 1818″ rather than December 3, 1818. I am guessing that the latter day is when Congress accepted Illinois for statehood. Another question: Why does the seal list the year “1868″ as being of importance?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 5:45 pm:
===Aug. 26, 1818===
That’s when the first Illinois Constitution was signed in Kaskaskia. https://www2.illinois.gov/Pages/about/StateSeal.aspx
- dbk - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 5:53 pm:
Having lived abroad for like forever, and having lived briefly in DC, CT, and MD - I chose/choose Illinois, too. I come back for extensive stays, and still love it as I did when very young.
Today a cousin took me to the Dec. meeting of the area’s IRTA; the programme was a ton of fun, and Illinois’ b-day was acknowledged with the singing of the state song - the words to which I hadn’t sung in decades, but still remembered. I teared up.
It’s a great state, a versatile state, an educated state, a rich state (despite budget woes - $40 bn isn’t to be sneezed at), and it has wonderful people.
I’m hopeful the gov-elect also loves the state and can help it emerge from a long dark path into hope and prosperity - for all, not for just the few.
- Steve Rogers - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 6:04 pm:
Happy Birthday Illinois. Born and raised. Illinois is like family. Certainly has its problems, but I’ll defend it against anyone who speaks ill of it.
I wish bicentennial had been handled better. Quinn had set up commission long time ago, but it lay dormant under Rauner until he must have figured out that the bicentennial fell under his governorship. A new Bicentennial Bldg to replace Stratton would have been a great idea
- illini - Monday, Dec 3, 18 @ 7:00 pm:
This is embarrassing. For having 4 years, or more, to plan this celebration I would have expected better.
Sorry, I forgot, “I’m not in charge.”