*** UPDATED x1 *** We have a new Speaker!
Thursday, Dec 10, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* My headlines are automatically posted on Twitter, so this one was specifically designed to freak out those folks. The real story here is that Illinois Retail Merchants Association President and CEO Rob Karr has been elected the new Speaker of the Third House, an organization for lobbyists.
The group held its annual holiday party today via Zoom. Outgoing Speaker Julie Sullivan joked that she had the honor of hosting the lamest Third House party ever. But it did have the smallest bar tab.
Anyway, congrats to Rob, who does a fine job with IRMA. I looked around and couldn’t find a suitable photo to use for a caption contest, so we’ll just have to settle for this story from The Onion that’s going around this week…
GAITHERSBURG, MD—Plotting out a career path that would enable him to one day land his dream job, aspiring lobbyist Christopher Talley told reporters Wednesday that he’d been able to get his foot in the door as a state senator. “Obviously I can’t jump right into my dream gig, but being a state senator and nominally representing the people of this district for a few years will help me work my way up the ladder to something actually worthwhile,” said Talley, who won a state senate seat in November as the first part of his personal 15-year plan to someday pursue the financial interests of agribusiness conglomerates in Washington. “Being in a state senate seat is kind of like having some control over how the government works for business, so this will help me get my feet wet and prove to potential lobbying firm employers that I have what it takes to network with people in the government biz. The money’s not great right now on a public servant salary, but this is just the first step to getting into the House of Representatives, maybe a mid-city mayorship, and finally make it to the lobbyist level. I can’t wait.” Talley also admitted that it did make him nervous to see how many of his state senate colleagues were also competing to be lobbyists someday.
*** UPDATE *** OK, now we got us a caption contest. Here’s Rob Karr at the 1990 holiday party…
- NotRich - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:02 am:
Mr. Karr: a class act, a professional, good luck..
- The Dude Abides - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:04 am:
The headline worked. It jolted me for a couple of seconds.
- Centennial - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:07 am:
Well-deserved. Karr is top notch and worked his tail off this year for his members
- BerwynBob - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:10 am:
well played sir….well played
- Draznnl - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:14 am:
Thanks for getting my pulse moving this morning Rich. Your headline worked. I saw the tweet and got giddy for a moment.
- Left of the Lake - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:20 am:
Nearly spit out my coffee laughing out loud. Grat onion article.
- Bruce( no not him) - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:22 am:
I wondered what happened to Speaker Pelosi.
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:22 am:
Karr is a true pro. Have worked with him as public an private sector lobbyist and agency legislative staffer. He understands listening to all sides and crafting policy that reflects the best idea.
- Tom Collins - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:25 am:
Why, you…I ought to…
- @misterjayem - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:35 am:
If you are in the market for a new speaker this holiday season, I HIGHLY recommend this $100 Sonos model from Ikea: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/symfonisk-wifi-bookshelf-speaker-black-00357561/
Great sound and easy to use by itself or incorporated with Sonos system.
– MrJM
- Levois J - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:49 am:
Well this headline got my attention.
- Perrid - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:53 am:
You’re mean Rich. I was all like “No f***ing way MJM caved this fast.” Clicked at the speed of light
- Hmm - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:20 am:
Which one is Rob?
- walker - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:24 am:
“And that’s not all I want”
- Chatham Resident - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:24 am:
Rob sitting on Santa Rich’s lap.
- View from the Cheap Seats - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:28 am:
Who knew Mike Z moonlighted as a holiday Santa…
- Santa - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:37 am:
Santa: “That tie ain’t gonna age well.”
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:54 am:
You want to represent ISRA? No way kid, you’ll shoot your eye out.
- Annoin' - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 12:02 pm:
He is no Vite — but then who is? He will be just fine. Sullie should get a mulligan during a normal year
BTW someone should FOI the “19″ for all emails and text sent in the 20 minutes after this headline appeared to see who thought who got double crossed, etc.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 12:10 pm:
“I’m really over being Baise’s driver. Can you get me a new job for Christmas?”
- Chatham Resident - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 12:14 pm:
“Young man, hurry up and tell me what you want for Christmas. I’m running late for the Governor-elect Edgar Christmas party.”
- Mama - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 2:14 pm:
-Rich and @misterjayem - thanks for the laughs.
- Just Curious - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 3:31 pm:
Rob is a great pick for the position
- Old Lobster - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 4:08 pm:
As a former Speaker, Rob is one of the finest people I have ever known. He represents his industry well. And don’t forget, he ably replaced a pretty competent guy.
- Shytown - Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 4:58 pm:
Rob Karr is the best. No better person to be found in Springfield.