Give up the funk!
Thursday, May 30, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From that Center Square thingy…
Gov. J.B. Pritzker threw an early birthday party for Secretary of State Jesse White, but the Chicago billionaire declined to comment about the cost of the celebration.
Amid stormy weather in the Springfield-area, the Wednesday night party took place under a massive tent with a raised platform on the lawn of the Governor’s Mansion. The temporary structure took a week to construct.
Asked Thursday how much the party cost, the governor, who has an estimated net worth of more than $3 billion, wouldn’t say.
“[First Lady] M.K. [Pritzker] and I were thrilled to have a birthday party for Secretary of State Jesse White,” Pritzker said. “He’s one of the great public servants in the history of the state of Illinois. He’s revered, he’s a friend, he somebody I’ve known for 35 years.”
Funk superstar George Clinton performed at the birthday celebration.
“We obviously were interested in making sure we had entertainment that was appropriate to the evening and so we were glad to be able to get George Clinton to perform,” Pritzker said.
He noted that a number of Illinois distillers and craft brewers provided drinks for the evening.
“Everybody enjoyed themselves,” Pritzker said.
Everybody did, indeed, enjoy themselves. It was quite the bash, and it was privately funded, so I don’t really care about the cost. From the Danenberger Family Vineyards Facebook page, here’s an early pic of the inside of the tent…
* Sponsors…
* The band…
* The man himself…
Say whatever you want about the governor, but our state’s First Lady knocks it out of the park whenever she throws a party. She may very well be the best ever.
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, May 30, 19 @ 2:45 pm:
I’m surprised they could get the whole band in the tent. I saw P-Funk one time and there were up to 18 people on stage at once.
- Not It - Thursday, May 30, 19 @ 2:45 pm:
I have a hard time believing there is a better First Lady than Mrs. Ryan.
- Osborne Smith III - Thursday, May 30, 19 @ 2:51 pm:
Of course Greg Bishop and his cronies at the Illinois Policy Institute / Illinois News Network / Franklin Center / Center Square junk reporting center are going to write a hit piece about how the governor isn’t saying how much -HE- and his wife paid to throw a party for arguably the most respected politician our state has ever had.
Seriously, Greg. What does it matter? Write about real news and maybe, just maybe, you’ll be a little more liked around the building.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, May 30, 19 @ 2:54 pm:
The Mothership Connection live from Springfield.
Really wish I was able to be there. Heard it was a blast.
- a drop in - Thursday, May 30, 19 @ 2:55 pm:
“He noted that a number of Illinois distillers and craft brewers provided drinks for the evening.”
Next year, will we possibly see the sentence “…noted that a number of Illinois growers and distributors provided brownies for the evening.”
Asking for a friend…..
- Uncle Merkin - Thursday, May 30, 19 @ 2:57 pm:
No matter where you stand on politics, JB is establishing himself as a pretty cool dude. I’ve actually had the internal “If i was a billionaire, I’d get George Clinton and the P Funk All Stars to play at my house” monologue before.
Did we just become best friends? YUP!
- illlllll-noize - Thursday, May 30, 19 @ 3:05 pm:
ya, it is really hard to throw a good party when you have a sandbox budget /s
- Rich Miller - Thursday, May 30, 19 @ 3:15 pm:
Not It, I loved Mrs. Ryan. She reminded me, in a good way, of my grandmother, who was also a Kankakeean.
- JS Mill - Thursday, May 30, 19 @ 3:16 pm:
=She may very well be the best ever.=
That is high praise.
It just seems like the Pritzker’s know how to treat people and show a little appreciation. Plus JB talks like an adult, none of the silly put downs of self-as-victim speech.
- Annonin' - Thursday, May 30, 19 @ 3:31 pm:
The IPI lobbyists are not accustomed to real parties usually just a Tilman rant at the Globe for giggles.
Too bad you did not release audio and video
- Vinron - Thursday, May 30, 19 @ 4:03 pm:
Is that why P Funk didn’t play Summer Camp in Chillicothe last weekend? Too much middle Illinois at one time perhaps
- wordslinger - Thursday, May 30, 19 @ 4:55 pm:
Was the assistant to the House super-minority leader there? If so, will he complain about it later, like he did after going to the cocktail parties?
- Susan Sullivan Danenberger - Thursday, May 30, 19 @ 5:01 pm:
Several Illinois Wineries also provided drinks (wine) in addition to the Brewers and distillers. It was an awesome birthday party for Jesse!
- G'Kar - Thursday, May 30, 19 @ 5:18 pm:
Was Rauner’s fav, Hand of Fate Brewing, one of the sponsors?/s
- Winderweezle - Thursday, May 30, 19 @ 8:47 pm:
That is a five star event.
My goodness, when did politicians become so cool.
- Mama - Thursday, May 30, 19 @ 9:01 pm:
What? No picture of the birthday boy?