Relieved, with a touch of excitement. Government seems to be functioning in Illinois again. Bargaining with unions, in good faith, drafting legislation with individuals that don’t want to grandstand, but want to sit at the table and find solutions. This is how it should work. I really can not believe what has happened this week, when I think about the previous four years.
About State Government? Optimistic on most items; pessimistic on a few that were already passed.
Personally? Happy the weather is cooler back here in Illinois; been down south with 95° temps. Not so happy about mother-in-law being in hospital with more heart issues at 96.
I can say staff is very unhappy. They work their butts off, many sleepless nights (literally) for months. They are not thanked enough, underpaid, undervalued. And serve at the pleasure (and displeasure) of the legislature that can’t even get their things in order.
I am amazed at what I consider to be all the great things happening. At the same time, on the prospect of working this weekend, I would say…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31g0YE61PLQ
State is on week to week to make their payroll.
They have no money, pot and taxes are not remotely enough,’Spending has not been curtailed at all, and it never will be
Tired but ask me in another five minutes and the answer may be different. Elated? Disappointed? No idea. There is nothing like the end of session. You can only understand it if you work here or maybe design roller coasters for a living. And this session…wow. Kudos to staff! I can only imagine how exhausting this is for them.
What a day. What started with a prayer, AFSCME deal, recreational pot, budget + capital + gaming bills all introduced, HGOP walk away to come back with a deal, JB working caucuses and active in leaders meetings, RHA bill, extension of session, wow. This place always amazes me. Whatever sides you’re on, it was quite a day. And as of 12:15, it’s not over.
- Proud Sucker - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:18 pm:
Peckish. I probably should not have skipped lunch.
- Ugh - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:19 pm:
Despair
- Grandson of Man - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:19 pm:
Absolute jubilation. Best day on the blog, after all these years, and after Rauner’s cruel and destructive governance.
- Bobby Beagle - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:20 pm:
Surprised and slightly confused.
As someone born and raised in Illinois I expect governmental dysfunction and words instead of actions. What the hell is going on?
- 47th Ward - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:20 pm:
I’m feeling a little unfinished, like there is something important I need to do, but haven’t accomplished it yet.
Ever had that dream where you were walking into class for the first time all semester and you discover that it was the final exam?
- 62656 - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:22 pm:
Also feeling unfinished, mostly waiting on the operating budget to pass before feeling complete since that’s the most necessary to happen today.
- Joey Twoshoes - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:22 pm:
Livid and tired
- P-Town Cynic - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:23 pm:
Relieved, with a touch of excitement. Government seems to be functioning in Illinois again. Bargaining with unions, in good faith, drafting legislation with individuals that don’t want to grandstand, but want to sit at the table and find solutions. This is how it should work. I really can not believe what has happened this week, when I think about the previous four years.
- anonymous - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:23 pm:
moody
- dentrev - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:23 pm:
Feeling nervous on the sports gambling bill. I want one, but I don’t think I want this one.
- Nick - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:23 pm:
Confused yet Hopeful
- ChicagoVinny - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:23 pm:
Alright, alright, alright
- Birdseed - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:24 pm:
All I need is some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I’m fine.
- Norm IL - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:24 pm:
Is “high” a mood?
- Joe Bidenopolous - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:25 pm:
Exhausted and cranky. Glad about the pot, (banned word) about the weekend
- Lake County Mom - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:25 pm:
I thought J.B. was going to be another Democratic governor train wreck. I might be wrong.
- campaigner - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:26 pm:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeYsTmIzjkw
- wordslinger - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:26 pm:
Spectacular. Good things happening, beautiful day, and I’m 200 miles from the Dome.
- OutOfState - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:26 pm:
Tired
- Glengarry - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:26 pm:
I already have the munchies.
- Alrighty then - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:27 pm:
What Birdseed said goes for me
- Johnnie F. - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:29 pm:
Exhausted with progress, hopeful it will continue.
- NIU Grad - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:31 pm:
Is it January 1st yet…
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:32 pm:
Baked dude.
Happy for the legalization bill. It was sorely needed.
Skeptical if they are going to pull off the budget and capital/gaming bill, but who knows.
- Some Legislators... - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:32 pm:
…Stoned.
- Bourbon Street - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:32 pm:
Optimistic. It seems we have a functioning legislature comprised of many thoughtful people and a governor who knows how to do the job correctly.
- RNUG - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:36 pm:
About State Government? Optimistic on most items; pessimistic on a few that were already passed.
Personally? Happy the weather is cooler back here in Illinois; been down south with 95° temps. Not so happy about mother-in-law being in hospital with more heart issues at 96.
- CC Alum - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:36 pm:
I can say staff is very unhappy. They work their butts off, many sleepless nights (literally) for months. They are not thanked enough, underpaid, undervalued. And serve at the pleasure (and displeasure) of the legislature that can’t even get their things in order.
- Candy Dogood - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:36 pm:
What a hectic 24 hours, but if everything gets pulled off — wow.
- Nick Name - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:39 pm:
Pensive, yet tentatively hopeful.
- Former Cadet - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:42 pm:
Stoked
- Normal.volunteer - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:42 pm:
Vacation time for me . Then on to 2020. So jubilant.and bone tired.
- Give Me A Break - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:43 pm:
Just texted my wife, not looking forward to her reaction to Saturday and Sunday session. Have a daughter graduating from HS and her party tomorrow.
- Colin Robinson - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:46 pm:
So this is what a good mood feels like…
- Wensicia - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:48 pm:
I haven’t felt this good about Illinois government in many years.
- Sam P. - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:50 pm:
Computer induced eye twitch
- Anonish - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:50 pm:
Wishing recreation pot was already legal.
- Honeybear - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:53 pm:
Blessed by a contract and the appropriation of the backpay. I can more easily have faith that my higher power is providing for me.
- Former State Worker - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:54 pm:
Reserved jubilation.
- DCC - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:57 pm:
I am amazed at what I consider to be all the great things happening. At the same time, on the prospect of working this weekend, I would say…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31g0YE61PLQ
- walker - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:57 pm:
Giddy
- RFG - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 4:05 pm:
Mellow
- Harvest76 - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 4:06 pm:
Stoned immaculate
- RIJ - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 4:09 pm:
Buoyant
- siriusly - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 4:10 pm:
Hopeful.
Thirsty.
Mostly proud
- G'Kar - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 4:10 pm:
Bored. I have nothing to do with what is happening in S’field, but I have been sick the last week and I’m going a bit stir crazy.
- A guy - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 4:11 pm:
Resigned to the fact that these outcomes were all predictable. Happy with a few that some might be surprised at. Wishful on others.
Separately to RNUG, sending up a few prayers for your mama-in-law. Godspeed pal.
- Amalia - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 4:17 pm:
future stoned
- Lefty Lefty - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 4:28 pm:
Stone free
- sharkette - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 4:34 pm:
State is on week to week to make their payroll.
They have no money, pot and taxes are not remotely enough,’Spending has not been curtailed at all, and it never will be
- Still Waiting - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 5:06 pm:
Feeling groovy
- Flapdoodle - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 6:42 pm:
Unfinished
Man, there is still a lot of important stuff on the table and the details of a lot of that are unclear.
So yeah, unfinished.
- Ugh - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 7:15 pm:
Tired but ask me in another five minutes and the answer may be different. Elated? Disappointed? No idea. There is nothing like the end of session. You can only understand it if you work here or maybe design roller coasters for a living. And this session…wow. Kudos to staff! I can only imagine how exhausting this is for them.
- Stuntman Bob's Brother - Friday, May 31, 19 @ 8:06 pm:
Simply elated that the timing allows them to read the bills after they are passed. Due diligence, and all, in the People’s interest.
- Sheesh - Saturday, Jun 1, 19 @ 12:14 am:
What a day. What started with a prayer, AFSCME deal, recreational pot, budget + capital + gaming bills all introduced, HGOP walk away to come back with a deal, JB working caucuses and active in leaders meetings, RHA bill, extension of session, wow. This place always amazes me. Whatever sides you’re on, it was quite a day. And as of 12:15, it’s not over.