Question of the day
Thursday, Feb 6, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From Gov. Pritzker’s State of the State address…
Rebuild Illinois is about more than just roads, bridges and universities; it’s about jobs: middle class careers with wages and benefits, the kind of jobs that help you raise a family. And together, we did more to make these jobs more inclusive and diverse, by investing in the Illinois Works program to recruit new construction apprentices and set strong goals for our public works projects to include diverse employees.
With me today is Reggie Marizetts Junior, a first-year apprentice with Laborers’ Local 165 in Peoria. Reggie fell in love with hands-on work early in his life, and it’s his apprenticeship where he is learning all the skills to succeed not just now, but for decades to come. Reggie intends to become a full-time journeyman and later to pursue his lifelong dream: opening a father-son construction company with his dad. Reggie, please stand so we can cheer for your hard work and your bright future.
Over the next six years, in addition to our expansion of apprenticeships, Rebuild Illinois will transform our infrastructure – even as we create a lot more opportunities for Reggie and thousands of young people just like him, with steady work that will help make sure that our economy works for everyone.
Pritzker toured the IUOE 659 Apprenticeship and Training Center today, where Reggie Marizetts is receiving training.
* From the governor’s remarks to reporters…
We have the most highly talented and dedicated workers in the entire nation. It’s why companies, people want to move to Illinois. We train people well here, and they do great work. And they’re dedicated to what they do. And so here we are in the epicenter of it, here in the center of the state of Illinois. This is where it all happens. This is what makes this state the greatest state in the United States.
His optimism can sometimes grate, but give him credit for consistency.
* The Question: What do you think makes Illinois better than other states?
- South of Sherman - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 2:50 pm:
We have a remarkable variety of pizza, and almost all of it is good.
Not kidding. That’s a huge asset for Illinois.
- Papa2008 - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 2:52 pm:
We are the home of 2 of the top 5 presidents of all time.
- Back to the Future - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 2:59 pm:
The great universities and colleges we have in the state. They attract students from all over the world.
- Really - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 3:02 pm:
Really good and caring people that soldier on in spite of our political leaders statewide and in the city of Chicago.
- The Real Captain - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 3:04 pm:
Reggie is a Laborer! We have our own training centers. He does not get training at an IUOE training center.
- Proud Papa Bear - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 3:05 pm:
We have leaders who treat LGBTQ+ people with dignity.
- Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 3:06 pm:
Best whitetail deer hunting in the country.
- Heyseed - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 3:11 pm:
Corn and soybeans. And the Morrow Plots.
- SSL - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 3:12 pm:
Illinois produces more pumpkins than any other state, gave the world the twinkie and has several top tier universities.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 3:15 pm:
“It’s why companies, people want to move to Illinois.”
Companies yes, people no. Chicago metro always leads the country in corporate relocations/real estate deals, but residents are leaving. Still, it’s great to have someone in such a position of power, and who’s already accomplished so much, with optimism.
The job creation of which he speaks and has helped implement is more of a model for other states than what has happened lately in neighboring states: pro-business reforms that don’t whack workers and their rights, rebuilding infrastructure and investment in workers, among other things.
- Benjamin - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 3:19 pm:
Chicago.
That’s what makes us better than other states. Chicago is an incredible American city, and truly one of a kind.
That’s not to say the rest of Illinois is crap. Downstate has pleasant places, too, but they’re the same kind of pleasant places you find in Indiana or Iowa or Minnesota. Chicago is one of a kind.
- Keyrock - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 3:20 pm:
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Buddy Guy’s Legends, and the Old Town School.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 3:25 pm:
Sorry I didn’t answer the question. Pro sports championships. We’re 12-2 since the hallowed ‘85 Bears, with the Hawks losing in the 90’s and the ‘07 Super Bowl.
- Cheryl44 - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 3:27 pm:
The state parks.
- Dr. Avocados - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 3:27 pm:
Chicago–is one of the most livable (culture, transit, food, relatively low cost compared to coastal cities) and interesting large cities in North America.
Lake Michigan–though global warming presents problems, it’s a fantastic resource for fresh water, industry, and leisure.
Being in the Middle–the state is a hub.
Universities–crucial asset and need continual building, esp state Universities
- Collinsville Kevin - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 3:31 pm:
Legal cannabis and a Republican party that has no influence in state government.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 3:38 pm:
Chicago. It’s the only place in Illinois that people from other states move to in large numbers. Every kid that graduates college in the surrounding states ends up in an apartment in Wrigleyville. Cities are the future and Chicago is a world-class city.
- flea - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 3:40 pm:
horseshoes
- 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 3:45 pm:
The food and restaurants, no question. The diversity of the kinds of food, fueled by the diversity of our population. One example: https://fooditor.com/most-authentic-mexican-street-food-market-chicagoland/
- Commonsense in Illinois - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 3:47 pm:
Two words: Rich Miller
- MakePoliticsCoolAgain - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 3:48 pm:
Chicago. Solidly Blue. Legalized Cannabis.
- MakePoliticsCoolAgain - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 3:49 pm:
^And the strength of Organized Labor.
- pool boy - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 3:52 pm:
Capitol Fax, of course.
- RIJ - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 4:01 pm:
Pritzker’s optimism is welcome after the harshly negative rhetoric of the Rauner years, and of the IL GOP for even longer (and still). It’s good to have someone who wants Illinois to excel, believes that she can, works to make it happen, and has a positive attitude.
- Generic Drone - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 4:12 pm:
Pritzker preaches his labor record while where I work, DHS is bringing in replacement workers. And I thought Rauner was bad.
- Norville Rogers - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 4:13 pm:
Our last two Governors worked for free out of the goodness of their own hearts. Our legislators find creative ways to supplement their income as well. A win win for taxpayers.
- dbk - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 4:15 pm:
World-class city.
Second-largest financial center in the world.
Second-richest farmland in the world.
Transportation hub of the nation.
Bordered on West by the country’s major river.
Manufacturing powerhouse, historically.
Union powerhouse, historically.
Home of a Research I flagship and a world-class private university.
Home of the nicest, most hard-working, honest people I’ve ever met, here or abroad.
Illinois really has just about everything except non-corrupt leadership. I’m still hopeful this can change, and although I understand how JB’s relentless optimism can be grating, I agree with him and really, really believe in my state.
- walker - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 4:26 pm:
Innovation, highly trained and skilled workforce, return on early stage venture capital — national leader in all three.
- theCardinal - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 5:01 pm:
Commerce from agriculture and Abe Lincoln.
- Leslie K - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 5:20 pm:
Chicago, our farming, and the state parks. I grew up in St. Louis and spent a fair amount of time in Illinois’ southern state parks. Beautiful. (Although I am also fond of MO’s Ozarks, I have to admit.)
When it was time for college, I came to Chicago. When I graduated, I stayed (as did nearly all of my core group of friends). (No Wrigleyville apt, OW, but do Wicker Park and Bucktown count?).
Having lived in Springfield for a session, and having spent many many years traveling between St. Louis and Chicago, I’ve always been in awe of our farmland, and the work I have seen the results of but have never directly observed (on each trip the fields have clearly been worked, whether planting, growing, harvesting…) Hwy 55 can be a boring drive, but observing the changes in the fields makes me think about the families that are working hard to keep all our families fed.
So, yes–some governmental dysfunction and corruption, but Illinois is actually pretty cool.
- filmmaker prof - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 5:30 pm:
weed.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 5:30 pm:
=== - Leslie K - ===
Dunno why i was singled out, but, ok.
:)
- Six Degrees of Separation - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 5:33 pm:
World-class city on the lake that is still building, miles and miles of rich farmland, the hills, lakes and forests of SoIL, a train-watcher’s paradise, and a decent place to live if you have money.
- Leslie K - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 5:37 pm:
OW–just a reference to your note that nearby college grads tend to end up with an apartment in Wrigleyville. I totally agree that’s a thing; I was just Wrigleyville-adjacent (didn’t quite follow the established pattern).
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 5:38 pm:
To the Question,
Easy question.
The people.
This state has the best people. Go visit downstate, central Illinois, western Illinois, the people make this state.
We all, me included, can get too wrapped up in the one dimensional political-ness of people, regions, but go to a small town, go the quad cities, Blo-No… the neighborhoods of Chicago, not the tourist places, the neighborhoods.
The people.
So much of all the good here in Illinois begins and ends with our great people.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 5:40 pm:
- Leslie K -
It’s all good, glad you’re here, glad you decided to stay too
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 5:45 pm:
I think you’re nod was intended to - 47th Ward -
- Leslie K - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 6:19 pm:
OW @5:45, you are right–so sorry. I was referencing 47th Ward’s comment about Wrigleyville. And sorry to 47th Ward as well. My bad.
- MG85 - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 7:06 pm:
Our diversity is our greatest strength: From Chicago to Rockford to Quincy to Cairo, we have a big, robust state with enough variety that anyone can find something here to enjoy.
Our laws, while still in need of improvements, are extremely generous towards a more perfect society. The Human Rights Act, the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act, the Illinois Education Labor Relations Act, and many others are often taken for granted here in Illinois, but these protections for minorities, pregnant women, victims of sexual assault, and workers who wish to organize a union are not nationwide and in no way common.
- ArchPundit - Thursday, Feb 6, 20 @ 9:59 pm:
The diversity of the population, as others have mentioned, is amazing and hard to experience in any other state other than maybe California.
An amazing world class city full of great history, architecture and neighborhoods. A ton of smaller cities with the same.
World class cultural institutions (includes the sports teams).
Educational institutions that match every other state.
Increasingly, a commitment to human and civil rights that is one of the best of in the nation.
A history that is rich, entertaining, and a place that has always moved the nation forward.
Malort.
And soon, the best dang waterpark a city has ever seen.