60 Comments - Open mind - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 9:40 am: What were the ailments and to medical marijuana? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 9:52 am: Now that session is over, the list of accomplishments complete, and if you agree with all, or oppose them all, my big question is… … as GOP GA members choose to have their wins, and by their votes they’ve earned those wins, what will the ILGOP agenda be to attract suburban voters, women, minorities, and younger voters… in other words, voters the Eastern Bloc crew looks to alienate every chance they get when they speak? It’s now, after session, and looking at the field, how can the ILGOP grow, when it’s shrinking? The Proft/Uihlein folks and the Eastern Bloc folks see growth as making those choose to be more pure, or more regional, or angry… but not trying to find commonality where others aren’t Democrats (although if you don’t agree with these folks you *must* be a Dem) and Indies looking for a choice that isn’t one with a closed-minded candidate to those “not like them” Where is the ILGOP? What will June thru September bring? What candidates will be recruited, beyond what POTUS can mean to certain regions? - Almost the weekend - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 9:53 am: Know this is years away but very intrigued about the potential for Walker’s Bluff. It is a beautiful property and a hotel casino would fit perfectly. Add in the surrounding wineries you have some key ingredients to a great tourist destination in an underrated part of the state. Maybe be a key to convince the city folks a lake house in Southern Illinois is better than Michigan or Indiana. - Mr. Lurkey - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 9:53 am: Long time lurker but due to sheer boredom decided to become a commenter. Hello everyone. I’m hoping to engage civilly because the interweb usually can bring out the worst. Anyway I’m a moderate republican from central/south Illinois. That is all - Techie - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 9:54 am: Will legal weed draw in new citizens to Illinois from other midwestern states? I think so, both people who want to work in the industry and those who want to legally consume its goods. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 9:55 am: Has anyone made sense yet as to why Ricky continues to bat Tim Anderson seventh? It’s rather counter-intuitive to bury in the order a .330 hitter with pop and speed on the bases. You generally want those guys to get as many at-bats as possible, starting in the first inning. There are games where seven-hole hitters don’t get their first at-bat until the third inning. - Sox Fan - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 9:55 am: Has there been any estimate as to when the casinos and other entities will be up and running on sports wagering? I heard an interview from Sen Link last night that said it could happen quickly, but i wasn’t sure what that really meant. - Sox Fan - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 9:58 am: Wordslinger, that is an excellent question. I think the answer is that Ricky is “old school” and puts more weight into the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” than he really should. - very old soil - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:00 am: short piece in the Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/06/04/how-illinois-became-first-state-legislature-legalize-marijuana-sales/?utm_term=.f940511487fc - illini - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:00 am: I read earlier this morning that a part of the $45 Billion capital bill passed this weekend included monies for “member initiatives” - $3 million for each Representative and $6 million for each Senator. It will be interesting to see how our members of the GA will chose to spend their new found “slush funds”. - Just Me 2 - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:01 am: re: Alderman Burke, who most likely will never resign 65 ILCS 5/3.1-10-50 (c) (2) (2) Guilty of a criminal offense. An admission of guilt of a criminal offense that upon conviction would disqualify the municipal officer from holding the office, in the form of a written agreement with State or federal prosecutors to plead guilty to a felony, bribery, perjury, or other infamous crime under State or federal law, constitutes a resignation from that office, effective on the date the plea agreement is made. For purposes of this Section, a conviction for an offense that disqualifies a municipal officer from holding that office occurs on the date of the return of a guilty verdict or, in the case of a trial by the court, on the entry of a finding of guilt. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:01 am: Sen. Plummer’s twitter, while it was disappointing to see a recent tweet about his choices, is celebrating the St. Louis Blues, and last night they tied the Bruins with 2 wins apiece in the Stanley Cup Final. The Blues were in last place in December. (This is me ignoring the Cards recent sweep of the slumping, second place Cubs) - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:04 am: As long as the big funders of the ILGOP are super-rich anti-union types and/or those who financially support Trump-like candidates whose social policies we don’t support, it may not bode well for the party. There is no grassroots power in the ILGOP around issues that matter to many of us, like minimum wage hike, union rights, LGBTQ rights, healthcare, etc. It is the the party of older, rural whites. Illinois is not a state amenable to today’s GOP. But at least now it’s safe for some ILGOP members to come home to unions and be supportive (until the next anti-union big funder comes around?). - Big Jer - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:05 am: ===Has anyone made sense yet as to why Ricky continues to bat Tim Anderson seventh?=== Good observation and one others in the media have made. I like Renteria as a person and even though IMO his is a so-so manager I think he got a raw deal when the Cubs booted him for Maddon. Not to equate Tim Anderson with Bryant or Rizzo but can you imagine sports radio if Maddon batted Bryant or Rizzo seventh??? I have been impressed with Anderson’s improved plate discipline. His strikeouts are almost half of Baez. - RNUG - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:11 am: - Mr. Lurkey - , welcome. You’ll find those of us with s more conservative bent are in the minority here … but you probably already know that. - Colin Robinson - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:11 am: Pins and needles over when JB will sign the bills, including the one with the employee backpay, and when AFSCME will vote on the contract. Any guesses? - Wally - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:12 am: ==Know this is years away but very intrigued about the potential for Walker’s Bluff. It is a beautiful property and a hotel casino would fit perfectly. Add in the surrounding wineries you have some key ingredients to a great tourist destination in an underrated part of the state. Maybe be a key to convince the city folks a lake house in Southern Illinois is better than Michigan or Indiana. == By City, I hope you mean St. Louis. Wilmington (a town with great natural beauty and untapped potential) is about as far south as Chicagoans will go to vacation. If done right, Wilmington could compete with Geneva but you need to have a very strong imagination to get that concept right now. - Unpopular - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:13 am: Blues got a big win last night. When is the Blackhawks game? - illini - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:13 am: I also noted that my Alma has already raised $400 of the #500 million required to to qualify for the matching State funds for the Discovery Partners Institute. This will become a reality and an asset that will only further benefit our State. - Pick a Name - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:13 am: Most mid-western residents would be stunned by the taxes, the fees, the pension obligations and certainly the abortion law that just got passed in Illinois. The wealthy may not leave Illinois but those living near the borders will consider moving across state lines and rightfully so. The avoid many things plus if they have kids approaching college age, they get instate tuition in the new state. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:15 am: ===There is no grassroots power in the ILGOP around issues that matter to many of us, like minimum wage hike, union rights, LGBTQ rights, healthcare, etc. It is the the party of older, rural whites. Illinois is not a state amenable to today’s GOP.=== To this, you’re not wrong. I’d say that the 80% rule being stifled by purity, or the requirement to accept all things the wealthy funders desire is the local bend that will hurt the party long term, even more than POTUS. There’s a miscalculation of how Illinois is, or thick headedness we saw with the former governor that ignores the realities. ===But at least now it’s safe for some ILGOP members to come home to unions and be supportive (until the next anti-union big funder comes around?).=== Agree… but cautious agreement until petitions go out. I’d like to see recruitment of suburban, pro-labor, candidates, as they, “today” might be a best bet to make gains(?) - JT - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:19 am: Any bets on how much longer Jack Thomas remains at WIU. Area businesses have started posting signs “Fire Jack, Support WIU.” Of course he has interviewed at a few other places but no one picked him up. - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:19 am: “The wealthy may not leave Illinois but those living near the borders will consider moving across state lines and rightfully so.” Pritzker and GA members from both parties will have something to tout, with infrastructure improvements and casinos, creating jobs, investing in schools, etc. What do right wingers have except screaming against taxes and government spending? I guess that’s why certain people refuse to figure out why they lose politically. - RNUG - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:20 am: == Pins and needles over when JB will sign the bills, == Why? The bills don’t take effect until July 1 for the most part. Unless you think JB is going to AV them, it should be a fone deal. - 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:22 am: I’m happy for Jon Lester that nobody told Carlos Gonzales that there is no padding behind the ivy. That was a heck of a catch, about a foot away from being a career-ender. - Nick - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:22 am: Any specifics on the afscme contract - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:22 am: Here’s a surprising stat for those following the wide-open NL Central: The Reds have given up the fewest runs in the National League –225 — yet are five games under. Next best is the Dodgers at 233, who are 13 over. Talk about squandering good pitching. Votto has killed them in the two-hole. Looks like he may be done at 35. Can’t turn on the fastball like he used to, and his strikeouts are way up for a guy who used to walk as much as he K’ed. - RNUG - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:25 am: == the 80% rule == Heck OW, these days I have to struggle to find a candidate I agree with 60% of the time. Plenty of room for moderate conservatives out there. - Colin Robinson - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:26 am: RNUG, that’s what I figured but the language on the last page of the backpay bill says “effective immediately.” Some of us have been hoping we might get it in June because of that. - Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:27 am: Welcome Mr. Lurkey, you will like it here. Well as long as you like pics of dogs and good music. - Amalia - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:29 am: nice pick at #3 for the Sox at the MBL Draft. good hitter. - RNUG - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:30 am: == Some of us have been hoping we might get it in June … == They aren’t going to be expending FY20 funds until July 1, and I doubt there is enough left over FY19 funding in most agencies to pay it. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:30 am: ===Here’s a surprising stat for those following the wide-open NL Central: The Reds have given up the fewest runs in the National League –225 — yet are five games under. Next best is the Dodgers at 233, who are 13 over.=== This is the crux of where Moneyball as a concept takes baseball. You aren’t buying wins, you are buying runs. Scoring runs. Runs means wins. Peter Brand says it all… the Reds should heed; “Okay. People who run ball clubs, they think in terms of buying players. Your goal shouldn’t be to buy players, your goal should be to buy wins. And in order to buy wins, you need to buy runs. You’re trying to replace Johnny Damon. The Boston Red Sox see Johnny Damon and they see a star who’s worth seven and half million dollars a year. When I see Johnny Damon, what I see is… is… an imperfect understanding of where runs come from. The guy’s got a great glove. He’s a decent leadoff hitter. He can steal bases. But is he worth the seven and half million dollars a year that the Boston Red Sox are paying him? No. No. Baseball thinking is medieval. They are asking all the wrong questions. And if I say it to anybody, I’m-I’m ostracized. I’m-I’m-I’m a leper. So that’s why I’m-I’m cagey about this with you. That’s why I… I respect you, Mr. Beane, and if you want full disclosure, I think it’s a good thing that you got Damon off your payroll. I think it opens up all kinds of interesting possibilities.” Wasting that pitching, agree. No doubt. Where are the runs? Dodger? 329 Reds? 261 Wow. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:31 am: – about a foot away from being a career-ender.– Or worse. I’ve noticed more in recent years that opposing outfielders want nothing to do with the Wrigley walls, understandably so. There’s an old story about when the Bears played at Wrigley in the leather helmet days. Bronco Nagurski put his head down, broke two tackles, and ran straight through the end zone behind what is usually home plate and smashed his pumpkin into the brick. He ran back to the sidelines and said to Halas, “coach, that last guy really hit me hard.” - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:33 am: ===these days I have to struggle to find a candidate I agree with 60% of the time.=== It’s a sweet spot being ignored, you’re on it. ===Plenty of room for moderate conservatives out there.=== This is the most true. It’s confusing this alienating folks that could be a coalition for a party, but when the RaunerS bought the party the lines were drawn so harsh…. We can hope, - RNUG - - illini - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:49 am: @Willy and @RNUG - There could well be some “moderate conservatives” to be found north of I-80, and I hope there are, but downstate not so much. Unless any local or area Republicans bash those “nasty She-Caw-Go liberals” and everything they supposedly stand for they will not get out of a primary race, much less get elected. - SSL - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:50 am: I can’t wait for Joe Maddon to go away. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 10:55 am: ===Unless any local or area Republicans bash those “nasty She-Caw-Go liberals” and everything they supposedly stand for they will not get out of a primary race, much less get elected.=== Murphy and Mulligan, Beaubien and Pedersen That’s the ball game. A caucus that is diverse. If downstate, or those Eastern Bloc types don’t understand, they may win, but the collars, and suburban Chicago will be a wasteland to a majority. - Pick a Name - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 11:00 am: The Cubs should have taken Willy’s advice before they signed Heyward. - Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 11:01 am: Maybe be a key to convince the city folks a lake house in Southern Illinois is better than Michigan or Indiana. == As much as I love the scenery down there, if I were shopping for a weekend retreat it’s just too far to drive. And the wine. You guys make great wine. - Gantt Chart - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 11:01 am: Mr. Lurkey, welcome. Keep it clean, keep it pithy, and as RNUG says, there’s room for us right-of-center commenters here as minority guests. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 11:01 am: –Maybe be a key to convince the city folks a lake house in Southern Illinois is better than Michigan or Indiana. == I’m thinking more those who look to buy at Kentucky Lake. Plus, you can’t swing a cat in Michigan without hitting a casino. Michigan and Wisconsin are for those trying to beat the heat in summer, snowmobile in winter. The state has always done a lousy job marketing Southern Illinois to the Chicago metro tourism market. What does Southern Illinois have that Michigan and Wisconsin don’t? An earlier Spring, a longer Summer and a later Autumn. Maybe some new blood in the executive branch could think anew and spread the word. - Hamlet's Ghost - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 11:03 am: @OW ==Where is the ILGOP?== Divided, and conquered. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 11:05 am: ===Divided, and conquered.=== In Illinois right now, hard to argue against that. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 11:05 am: ===What does Southern Illinois have that Michigan and Wisconsin don’t? === Legislators who don’t want to kick Chicago out of their state? Just sayin… - illini - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 11:12 am: @Willy - Trust me when I say that those downstate and Eastern Bloc types do not care about you. You may have a somewhat diverse caucus in that some will attempt to be a moderating, and welcomed voice, in the deliberations, but he Rauner effect ( and all those IPI, ALEC and affiliated influences ) weigh heavily downstate. Yet many, if not all, of these downstate legislators will gladly take credit for monies spent in the in districts that they voted against. There is a word for people like this. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 11:26 am: ===What does Southern Illinois have that Michigan and Wisconsin don’t? === Legislators who don’t want to kick Chicago out of their state?– Yeah, they’re not helping their constituents on anything. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 11:27 am: - illini - We all can only do so much. It’ll be up to Leaders Brady and Durkin to find a way. Thus, my lil question today. Be well. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 11:34 am: –Most mid-western residents would be stunned…– LOL, always need the crutch that your viewpoint is shared by “most.” No confidence in your own self? - Anyone Remember - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 11:36 am: Continuing yesterday’s suggestions for the next Spring Session … abolishing townships (counties get duties and revenues); consolidating school districts (to begin, a school district must be K-12); merging local public safety pensions into IMRF (and require IMRF generate Pension Impact Notes for all pension proposals). - Hamlet's Ghost - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 11:43 am: == Continuing yesterday’s suggestions for the next Spring Session == Perhaps everything on the spring session agenda will be (should be?) judged by potential impact on the Fair Tax referendum. That would seem to overshadow other issues. Regarding “Where does the ILGOP go from here?” I don’t think a meaningful answer or strategy can be developed, let alone implemented, until two questions are answered: 1. Will Donald Trump be re-elected in November 2020; 2. Will the Fair Tax referendum pass or fail? I don’t believe rebuilding the ILGOP can even begin until these answers are known as very different paths would be called for depending on those answers. And, that rebuilding will begin based on the newly drawn legislative map. - PrairieDog - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 11:43 am: I’m going to wait and see how much revenue is actually collected from these new sources, and how much actually gets spent on substantive capital improvements before I declare the Democrats victors….I’ll believe it’s a “new era” in Illinois when money stops disappearing down the usual corrupt rat-holes… - oh? - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 11:47 am: What does Southern Illinois have that Wisconsin and Michigan don’t? Easy Peasy….tax free pensions. - wordslinger - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:23 pm: After 34-year-old Jim Adduci got called up, then 33-year-old Cargo got signed, you think 24-year-old Ian Happ has gotten the message about his future with the Cubs? It galled me to no end every time Crazy Uncle Joe gave that at-best-marginal MLB player a start last year. It meant at least two better players were riding the pine — and the Cubs blew the division lead in September. One more win, anywhere, would have meant a five-game playoff series, rather than a wildcard. Meanwhile, LaStella rarely cracked the lineup. He’s only tearing it up in the 4-hole for the Angels now, protecting a couple of nobodies named Trout and Pujols. - CrunchCrunch - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:38 pm: Anyone have to deal with all of the new GATA requirements? - Smitty Irving - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 12:57 pm: CrunchCrunch - GATA (& ERP) is why I left. Curious how many small units of government are being hurt by GATA. - MG85 - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 1:17 pm: ==This is the most true. It’s confusing this alienating folks that could be a coalition for a party,== I try to imagine how a “Radical Republican” would play out in an election today. Any election. I try to imagine someone who is: pro-Union pro-choice pro-gun control Pro LGTBQ Rights Pro-Stronger Voting Rights Pro-Stronger Civil Rights while also fewer or smaller government agencies smaller revenues Tougher criminal penalties on personal and property crimes Softer on Statutory crimes I try to imagine what that message would look like? I then end up seeing that person losing, overwhelmingly, in a Republican primary over and over again. Then I try to put that aside and imagining what a primary would look like with such a Republican candidate, and I can’t imagine labor supporting that candidate, LGBT communities supporting that candidate, nor liberal voters supporting that candidate, and I can’t see GOP voters being enthusiastic about that candidate. So I don’t see this “moderate” Republican winning a primary or a general in Illinois. But that’s just me. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 1:32 pm: Let’s take a look-see… ===pro-Union pro-choice pro-gun control Pro LGTBQ Rights Pro-Stronger Voting Rights Pro-Stronger Civil Rights while also fewer or smaller government agencies smaller revenues Tougher criminal penalties on personal and property crimes Softer on Statutory crimes=== “pro-Union” - The trades are the Reagan Democrats personified. They should be GOP voters. “pro-choice” - Why not a pro-life candidate, with exceptions, and with no agenda to vote to curtail choice? “pro-gun control” - strong gun control doesn’t mean total infringement on the 2nd amendment. Safety doesn’t mean a total loss of all rights “Pro LGTBQ Rights” - love who you love. From Pope Francis to modern religious leaders, Faith is with you and your God, as should anything in your life. “Pro-Stronger Voting Rights” - it’s up to the GOP to want to attract voters they now currently alienate to be relevant in the Red States. We need to be better, or if this continues, the numbers will eventually make the GOP extinct. “Pro-Stronger Civil Rights” - gotta crawl before we walk. The party of Lincoln to the Southern Strategy after LBJ, another earthquake of awakening will happen, or the numbers will again engulf and end the GOP “fewer or smaller government agencies” - leaner governing is only found when a party can earn the right to govern and prove their worth. It’s a good goal. smaller revenues - big states like Illinois have greater revenue, now add building, and add higher ed… show worth to the revenues, the size will then be magnified, small or large. “Tougher criminal penalties on personal and property crimes” - today, even on the GOP, it’s about tough penalties, but smarter sentencing, that’s the goal, not saying “more time” “Softer on Statutory crimes” - see above. Some thoughts. The ILGOP, they aren’t asking me. That’s not me trolling, that’s not me saying look at me… it’s me telling a truth. - Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 2:28 pm: Mr. Lurkey, enjoy(banned punctuation) - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Jun 4, 19 @ 4:41 pm: Rep. Guzzardi withdrew his motion to reconsider today on the legal marijuana bill. It’s now going to the governor for enactment. Awesome. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.