The location for the new Portillo’s in Springfield is horrible. They should go down the road to the old O’Charley’s. Still, glad they’re finally coming to town.
Max Scherzer provided some unique insight yesterday into ongoing negations between the clubs & the players. I wonder if it was a tactic to just turn up the heat on the owners? or are they owners not being outright truthful about the $$. Hopefully they can get on the same page soon or there will be no baseball this summer.
I worry a lot. With all the rain lately, in a couple of weeks will there be swarms of mosquitoes and ticks, and their resulting disease transmissions? Can Covid be so transmitted?
I agree on the Portillo’s proposed location at the old Walgreen’s in Parkway Pointe. Parkway Pointe is a horrible location traffic congestion-wise for anything. But if they insist on being in Parkway Pointe, there’s also the old Baker’s Square location down the street.
But I agree that they need to go in the old O’Charley’s in Prairie Crossing.
But a big difference between building in Parkway Pointe vs. Prairie Crossing is School District. Parkway Pointe still falls within Springfield District 186 (and believe it or not, due to the 1970s desegregation lawsuit Parkway Pointe actually falls within Southeast HS’s attendance area). While Prarie Crossing is part of the Ball-Chatham (aka Glenwood) school district.
However, I will say that I don’t think anyone 40-50 years ago–when the Parkway Pointe stretch of Veterans Parkway was first proposed, built, and opened–could have even fathomed the extent in which both the West Side and Chatham have grown by now. Maybe a little bit of Chatham growth could have been envisioned but not a city in its right with at least 11K population and still counting.
- Bruce( no not him) - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 9:35 am:
I’m getting a haircut tomorrow. It’s ridiculous how happy I about a haircut. My last one was January 29.
How about two Portillo’s in Springfield, if they insist on being at the traffic-congested Parkway Pointe Walgreen’s site. The other one could be on the Northeast end somewhere north of Dirksen and Sangamon, near Walmart.
Here’s an excerpt: “The first woman to vote in Illinois was Ellen Martin on April 6, 1891. She was a Chicago attorney who lived in Lombard. The incorporation statute of Lombard noted that all citizens above the age of 21 could vote. Martin went to the polling place, and the election judges were so flabbergasted that one fell backwards into a flour barrel. The judges eventually allowed Martin to vote, and Martin gathered up fourteen additional women to vote also. . . “
Hating the unknown. Still no word if we’re going back to the JRTC next week (and as anyone can tell you who has waited for and gotten into an elevator there in the morning, that place will have no viable plan for anything). Stressed out.
DEE, the ticks and mosquitoes are out in my neck of the woods, which is in the woods. The creek rises and falls leaving stagnant water to bring a bumper crop of mosquitoes. Ugh.
I will return to the office July 1st. I’m thankful for the handful returning in June to smooth out the bumps for the rest of us.
What’s going to happen with the Governor’s executive order, which expires 5/31? I’m in healthcare and hope for extension of tele-health provisions in emergency order to protect vulnerable clients.
OW is spot on about the Grant miniseries. It was great and brought back to the fore so many of the incredible things he did and fostered. To think IL produced both Lincoln and Grant at the same time causes a step back in awe.
I don’t know if the rest of the JRTC is affected, but Secretary White’s press release from Tuesday on driver facility reopenings mentions this: “Chicago Central located at the James R. Thompson Center and Chicago Loop Express located at 69 W. Washington will reopen July 1 because these buildings will not be opened to the public until that date.”
Here’s another great alternative location for a Portillo’s in Springfield–or any other fast food restaurant that’s not here but is interested in opening their first SPI location:
The site of the old Hardee’s at the Toronto Road exit (southeast corner). That has now been closed and vacant 15 years now. Has lots of parking available and is better to get in/out of than the Parkway Pointe Walgreens.
That site would also be a great location for fast food places common in the St. Louis area if they decide to have a Springfield location. Such as Jack-in-the-Box, Waffle House, and White Castle. In fact, the closest Jack in the Box is Litchfield. Which is reasonable distance from Toronto Road for that restaurant’s franchisee to open a potential Springfield location if they chose to do so.
There were more protests yesterday in downtown Springfield–but this time they were by SJR employees and community members protesting Gannett Co.’s (who bought the infamous Gatehouse Media) decision to move the SJR’s print deadline to 4PM. Meaning coverage of City Council meetings and high school sports in the evenings won’t be in the print paper until two days after the event occurs–if at all.
So glad that our state legislators are heralding on social media that they will not get a raise this year. Such courage. Such sacrifice. No pay raise for their part time job. Millions of of their fellow Illinois citizens stand in solidarity with them.
And then we have a bar in Elburn open with indoor seating and NOT requiring masks for employees, along with the ones in Savanna and Bradley (I don’t know if they require masks on employees or not)
My mind is confused about that, actually. Still strong on doing what must be done, but feeling it beginning to chafe. More and more wanting to be out on a blacktop somewhere with the camera, looking for material. Cancelled three shoots in SE Utah around Monument Valley and the Moab area, doing same with one in Taos. Know these are the right decisions, can’t help feeling this is a lost spring at an age when I don’t have very many springs left to shoot actively in the field. Wondering about prospects for the fall, doubting there’ll really be any then, either. It’s an evil thing we’re all fighting
Because I get that these are my own small piffling concerns and there’s a national crisis that’s far from over, is even showing signs of heating back up. I really, fully get that I’m talking about an infinitesimally trivial loss against a background of incalculable human tragedy. And I’ll act accordingly.
But that’s when the anger starts, anger at the stupidity, the arrogance, the ignorance, the selfishness displayed by far too many people throughout the crisis and now seemingly growing daily. The ordinary people and so-called leaders whose callousness and ignorance keeps them from doing the right thing. The ones whose abysmal lack of moral discipline will continue making this worse and kill more people. If I think about it too much, I stop being angry and become screaming, sometimes hatefully mad.
So I try not to think about it too much, but then I’m back to wishing I could be out on that blacktop with the camera, headed somewhere new.
Like I said, my mind’s confused about what’s on it.
That’s there’s gonna be a major surge in Covid-19 cases and deaths as people stop following precautions; I’m seeing customers in stores without masks, and stores refusing to even tell them to get out. I’ll be wearing my homemade ones for a long time at this rate….
Everything that has occurred in the last 19 years because of 2,977 deaths and the excuses that were made to do those things and when we reach a number like one hundred thousand we have folks running around pretending that it’s a conspiracy and sowing the seeds of the deaths of the next hundred thousand with stupid and anti-social behavior.
I dwell on this often, especially with the timing being so close to Memorial Day — were folks sought to observe the solemn holiday in fashions that will help fill our hallowed grounds with the remains of more of our countrywomen.
For those returning to work in the Capitol Complex Monday (at least Secretary of State staff), I just received word that the Stratton and Howlett cafeterias (if you go to them) will not be re-opening on Monday. Not even for grab-and-go food. No date is set yet for their reopening. Also, the cafeteria areas are not to be utilized by staff, and tables/chairs have been removed.
- Hangry - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 9:16 am:
The location for the new Portillo’s in Springfield is horrible. They should go down the road to the old O’Charley’s. Still, glad they’re finally coming to town.
- flea - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 9:19 am:
FISHING HAS BEEN THE BEST EVER
- slow down - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 9:21 am:
I’m loving working from home but my back is sore. Definitely missing my office chair.
- Batman - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 9:23 am:
Agreed, hangry. I’m super excited for portillos, but that location is gonna be a total pain unless they really change up the traffic pattern somehow.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 9:25 am:
The “Grant” documentary really delivered.
So much of Grant is now misconstrued or taken from what others want to be “known” to be Grant.
Probably could’ve gone 2 more hours, so much crammed in the third installment.
Still, highly recommended.
- Lil Squeezy - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 9:26 am:
Where is the Springfield Portillo’s going to be located?
- Lil Squeezy - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 9:27 am:
I am going to guess the old Show Me’s.
- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 9:27 am:
In the old Walgreens in Parkway Pointe
- Les Nessman - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 9:28 am:
Max Scherzer provided some unique insight yesterday into ongoing negations between the clubs & the players. I wonder if it was a tactic to just turn up the heat on the owners? or are they owners not being outright truthful about the $$. Hopefully they can get on the same page soon or there will be no baseball this summer.
- Lil Squeezy - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 9:31 am:
Yes that is an unfortunate location
- DEE - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 9:33 am:
I worry a lot. With all the rain lately, in a couple of weeks will there be swarms of mosquitoes and ticks, and their resulting disease transmissions? Can Covid be so transmitted?
- Chatham Resident - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 9:35 am:
I agree on the Portillo’s proposed location at the old Walgreen’s in Parkway Pointe. Parkway Pointe is a horrible location traffic congestion-wise for anything. But if they insist on being in Parkway Pointe, there’s also the old Baker’s Square location down the street.
But I agree that they need to go in the old O’Charley’s in Prairie Crossing.
But a big difference between building in Parkway Pointe vs. Prairie Crossing is School District. Parkway Pointe still falls within Springfield District 186 (and believe it or not, due to the 1970s desegregation lawsuit Parkway Pointe actually falls within Southeast HS’s attendance area). While Prarie Crossing is part of the Ball-Chatham (aka Glenwood) school district.
However, I will say that I don’t think anyone 40-50 years ago–when the Parkway Pointe stretch of Veterans Parkway was first proposed, built, and opened–could have even fathomed the extent in which both the West Side and Chatham have grown by now. Maybe a little bit of Chatham growth could have been envisioned but not a city in its right with at least 11K population and still counting.
- Bruce( no not him) - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 9:35 am:
I’m getting a haircut tomorrow. It’s ridiculous how happy I about a haircut. My last one was January 29.
- Chatham Resident - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 9:38 am:
How about two Portillo’s in Springfield, if they insist on being at the traffic-congested Parkway Pointe Walgreen’s site. The other one could be on the Northeast end somewhere north of Dirksen and Sangamon, near Walmart.
- Chatham Resident - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 9:40 am:
Great article from John Lupton of the Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission on the centennial of the 19th Amendment:
http://illinoiscourts.gov/Media/enews/2020/052620-SC-history.asp
Here’s an excerpt: “The first woman to vote in Illinois was Ellen Martin on April 6, 1891. She was a Chicago attorney who lived in Lombard. The incorporation statute of Lombard noted that all citizens above the age of 21 could vote. Martin went to the polling place, and the election judges were so flabbergasted that one fell backwards into a flour barrel. The judges eventually allowed Martin to vote, and Martin gathered up fourteen additional women to vote also. . . “
- Ferris Bueller - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 9:47 am:
Hating the unknown. Still no word if we’re going back to the JRTC next week (and as anyone can tell you who has waited for and gotten into an elevator there in the morning, that place will have no viable plan for anything). Stressed out.
- Dog Lover - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 9:48 am:
DEE, the ticks and mosquitoes are out in my neck of the woods, which is in the woods. The creek rises and falls leaving stagnant water to bring a bumper crop of mosquitoes. Ugh.
I will return to the office July 1st. I’m thankful for the handful returning in June to smooth out the bumps for the rest of us.
- SouthernGirl - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 10:02 am:
What’s going to happen with the Governor’s executive order, which expires 5/31? I’m in healthcare and hope for extension of tele-health provisions in emergency order to protect vulnerable clients.
- Lt Guv - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 10:11 am:
OW is spot on about the Grant miniseries. It was great and brought back to the fore so many of the incredible things he did and fostered. To think IL produced both Lincoln and Grant at the same time causes a step back in awe.
- Chatham Resident - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 10:12 am:
==Still no word if we’re going back to the JRTC==
I don’t know if the rest of the JRTC is affected, but Secretary White’s press release from Tuesday on driver facility reopenings mentions this: “Chicago Central located at the James R. Thompson Center and Chicago Loop Express located at 69 W. Washington will reopen July 1 because these buildings will not be opened to the public until that date.”
https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/news/2020/may/200526d1.pdf
- Chatham Resident - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 10:19 am:
Here’s another great alternative location for a Portillo’s in Springfield–or any other fast food restaurant that’s not here but is interested in opening their first SPI location:
The site of the old Hardee’s at the Toronto Road exit (southeast corner). That has now been closed and vacant 15 years now. Has lots of parking available and is better to get in/out of than the Parkway Pointe Walgreens.
That site would also be a great location for fast food places common in the St. Louis area if they decide to have a Springfield location. Such as Jack-in-the-Box, Waffle House, and White Castle. In fact, the closest Jack in the Box is Litchfield. Which is reasonable distance from Toronto Road for that restaurant’s franchisee to open a potential Springfield location if they chose to do so.
- Chatham Resident - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 10:22 am:
There were more protests yesterday in downtown Springfield–but this time they were by SJR employees and community members protesting Gannett Co.’s (who bought the infamous Gatehouse Media) decision to move the SJR’s print deadline to 4PM. Meaning coverage of City Council meetings and high school sports in the evenings won’t be in the print paper until two days after the event occurs–if at all.
https://www.nprillinois.org/post/sj-r-employees-community-members-protest-scheduled-print-deadline-change#stream/0
- Red Ranger - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 10:23 am:
So glad that our state legislators are heralding on social media that they will not get a raise this year. Such courage. Such sacrifice. No pay raise for their part time job. Millions of of their fellow Illinois citizens stand in solidarity with them.
- Lt Guv - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 10:28 am:
== FISHING HAS BEEN THE BEST EVER ==
Tell that to the Judge in Clay Co.
- Stu - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 10:47 am:
Worried about the Northern border…
https://www.newsweek.com/wisconsin-sees-highest-single-day-rise-coronavirus-cases-deaths-since-outbreak-began-1506978
https://www.tmj4.com/news/coronavirus/7-bar-restaurant-workers-test-positive-for-covid-19-in-kenosha-co-after-a-busy-weekend
And then we have a bar in Elburn open with indoor seating and NOT requiring masks for employees, along with the ones in Savanna and Bradley (I don’t know if they require masks on employees or not)
- Flapdoodle - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 10:58 am:
What’s on my mind?
My mind is confused about that, actually. Still strong on doing what must be done, but feeling it beginning to chafe. More and more wanting to be out on a blacktop somewhere with the camera, looking for material. Cancelled three shoots in SE Utah around Monument Valley and the Moab area, doing same with one in Taos. Know these are the right decisions, can’t help feeling this is a lost spring at an age when I don’t have very many springs left to shoot actively in the field. Wondering about prospects for the fall, doubting there’ll really be any then, either. It’s an evil thing we’re all fighting
Because I get that these are my own small piffling concerns and there’s a national crisis that’s far from over, is even showing signs of heating back up. I really, fully get that I’m talking about an infinitesimally trivial loss against a background of incalculable human tragedy. And I’ll act accordingly.
But that’s when the anger starts, anger at the stupidity, the arrogance, the ignorance, the selfishness displayed by far too many people throughout the crisis and now seemingly growing daily. The ordinary people and so-called leaders whose callousness and ignorance keeps them from doing the right thing. The ones whose abysmal lack of moral discipline will continue making this worse and kill more people. If I think about it too much, I stop being angry and become screaming, sometimes hatefully mad.
So I try not to think about it too much, but then I’m back to wishing I could be out on that blacktop with the camera, headed somewhere new.
Like I said, my mind’s confused about what’s on it.
- revvedup - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 11:06 am:
That’s there’s gonna be a major surge in Covid-19 cases and deaths as people stop following precautions; I’m seeing customers in stores without masks, and stores refusing to even tell them to get out. I’ll be wearing my homemade ones for a long time at this rate….
- Amalia - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 11:26 am:
feeling jealous because today’s NY briefing included Rosie Perez and Chris Rock.
- Just Another Anon - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 11:28 am:
Any word on when/if the governor is going to extend the disaster declaration?
- 33rd ward - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 11:35 am:
Churches are open. They can Zoom or stream their services. They can get donation via paypal.
Churches have never been closed.
- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 11:40 am:
I’ve been getting uneasy that the push to get people back in the pews isn’t really about faith its about money.
I’m guessing donations during virtual services don’t keep up with the ones made when your sitting down in your place of worship.
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 11:49 am:
One hundred thousand.
Everything that has occurred in the last 19 years because of 2,977 deaths and the excuses that were made to do those things and when we reach a number like one hundred thousand we have folks running around pretending that it’s a conspiracy and sowing the seeds of the deaths of the next hundred thousand with stupid and anti-social behavior.
I dwell on this often, especially with the timing being so close to Memorial Day — were folks sought to observe the solemn holiday in fashions that will help fill our hallowed grounds with the remains of more of our countrywomen.
One hundred thousand.
And it’s just the beginning.
- Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 12:28 pm:
candy. Best take a look at the covid19 update. You bet its just the beginning. Wait til the cancer screening numbers role out in about a year.
- Chatham Resident - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 1:23 pm:
For those returning to work in the Capitol Complex Monday (at least Secretary of State staff), I just received word that the Stratton and Howlett cafeterias (if you go to them) will not be re-opening on Monday. Not even for grab-and-go food. No date is set yet for their reopening. Also, the cafeteria areas are not to be utilized by staff, and tables/chairs have been removed.
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 2:01 pm:
===You bet its just the beginning. ===
We will yet again have an opportunity to build a better society so long as we do not succumb to the pressures of angry white men.
That’s the only optimism I bring to the table.