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Question of the day

Thursday, Jan 6, 2022 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Let’s lighten things up a little…


* The Question: What other folks should have their own official Illinois days? Explain.

       

73 Comments
  1. - Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:33 am:

    John Prine


  2. - Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:35 am:

    Forgot to explain John Prine. His contributions to American Music are transcendent. His storytelling is unparalleled.


  3. - Snow - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:37 am:

    I think the two Ignatians in the Senate could certainly make this happen.


  4. - Northsider - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:40 am:

    I love the idea of a Bob Newhart Day. The sponsor should introduce it by holding a cell phone to his/her ear.


  5. - Candy Dogood - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:40 am:

    1.) Michael Jordan Day

    2.) Da’ Bears Day (costumes encouraged, especially in the legislature.)

    3.) Chief Black Hawk Day, part of Sauk Week, which also includes Jim Thorpe Day. He wasn’t born in Illinois, but uh, that’s something we can talk about during Sauk Week.

    4.) Ida B. Wells Day, where Illinoisans are also encouraged to support local journalism.

    5.) Jesse White Day — I don’t think this needs an explanation.

    I could go on, but most of the people I can think of would trigger people living below I-70 for one reason or another and state days shouldn’t be that divisive.


  6. - Commisar Gritty - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:41 am:

    Petition to declare April 1st as Bruce Rauner Day. We can celebrate it by egging Ken Griffen’s house.


  7. - someonehastosayit - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:41 am:

    Dick Van Dyke Day is a no brainer. The guy is a legend and grew up in Danville.


  8. - Imaginary brass rings - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:43 am:

    Road warriors day. Hawk and animal fought valiantly against the treachery of the midnight express, the horsemen and the freebirds.


  9. - DuPage Saint - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:43 am:

    Always should have a day honoring the longest serving Speaker of the House. For now it would be Madigan but would change when his record is broken


  10. - Anyone Remember - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:45 am:

    As an immigrant who arrived before Barack, Michael Jordan, or Bart Simpson, I propose that era’s second most famous Illinoisan, both within the US and worldwide.

    Alphonse Capone.


  11. - 60153 - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:46 am:

    Richard Pryor Day. Arguably the greatest comedian ever! Peoria Origins.


  12. - Candy Dogood - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:46 am:

    ===Always should have a day honoring the longest serving Speaker of the House===

    Do you run a GOP mail house that’s major source of income is political mailers linking Madigan to anything and everyone?


  13. - Chicago Bars - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:49 am:

    - Northsider -

    Lololol. Senate President Harmon doing a Bob Newhart bit would indeed be delightful. But seriously, it needs to happy for Mr Newhart, strong Illinois ties, comedy legend, and still with us.

    I kind of automatically assumed Secretary Jesse White gets a Day too this year or next and that’s going to be a long honorary resolution indeed.


  14. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:49 am:

    ===The guy is a legend and grew up in Danville===

    Also has great appliances. /s


  15. - Socially DIstant Watcher - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:49 am:

    ==I could go on, but most of the people I can think of would trigger people living below I-70 for one reason or another and state days shouldn’t be that divisive. ==

    How about a day for Belleville native Jeff Tweedy? If Rockford gets a well-deserved Cheap Trick day, then southern Illinois can have a Tweedy Day.


  16. - Amalia - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:50 am:

    Walter Payton. Not from Illinois. But he gave us so much and we lost him too soon.


  17. - G'Kar - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:51 am:

    Richard Pryor–comic genius
    John Prine — as mentioned above by “Anno” above
    Dan Fogelberg — Another great Illinois musician
    Benjamin Lundy — 19th C abolitionist, famous for publishing The Genius of Universal Emancipation, the first newspaper devoted to ending slavery. He was a mentor to people like William Lloyd Garrison. A Quaker, he ended his days in Lowell, IL (the last few issues of his paper were printed in Hennepin) and is buried at the Quaker cemetery in Putnam County.


  18. - Club J - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:52 am:

    I’ll 2nd John Prine. He wrote some great music and one of the best songs that he didn’t take credit for.
    You Never Even Called Me by My Name
    He thought it was a goofy song and gave the credit to Steve Goodman. That song has been sung in a lot of bars over the years.


  19. - Mr K - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:58 am:

    John Prine and Bob Newhart.

    Both absolutely brilliant.


  20. - Thomas Paine - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 11:58 am:

    Lots of folks to celebrate, but we should celebrate those who were not just famously, but whose influence was meaningful and beneficial.

    Dick Van Dyke - Grew up in Danville, one of the most respected and imitated comedians of the modern era.

    Miles Davis - East St. Louis, not only reinvented jazz, but his compositions and improvisations influenced everyone from Hendrix to Hancock to Prince to today’s hip hop artists.

    Robin Williams - Lake Forest. Easily one of the greatest comedians of the last 50 years.

    Richard Pryor - Peoria. There are few successful stand-up comics today that do not owe some piece of their act to Pryor, who made it possible for us to talk openly about race at a time when America desperately needed to talk openly about race, a topic that Black comedians before him largely avoided.

    Marc Andreeson - Champaign. The 1993 U of I grad invented Mosaic, the first widely available, easy to use internet browser, opening the doors to the Information Age.

    Mother Cabrini and Jane Addams - Chicago. They influenced social work and immigration policy across the world.

    Honorable Mentions for Bill Murray and John Malkovich.

    Hard pass for Walt Disney.


  21. - Galway Bay - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:01 pm:

    Fred Lynn. HOF CF for Boston Red Sox and others. Bio says born in Chicago but technically born in Evergreen Park at Little Company of Mary Hospital.


  22. - Sangamo Girl - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:02 pm:

    “Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living!” –Mary Harris “Mother” Jones


  23. - The Opinions Bureau - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:03 pm:

    Chicago native and DePaul graduate Gillian Anderson deserves a day where can all remember that the truth…is out there.


  24. - SOIL M - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:03 pm:

    The Man who was head and shoulders above them all.
    Robert Wadlow


  25. - Chief217 - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:03 pm:

    Lots of comedy legends could be honored
    Dick Van Dyke
    Bob Newhart
    Bill Murray

    More recent
    Melissa McCarthy and Nick Offerman

    Another entertainment legend Shonda Rhimes


  26. - Earnest - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:04 pm:

    Stanley Ligas. I find it difficult to articulate how much his lawsuit and the resultant consent decree have transformed Illinois’ services system for people with IDD and the families and DSPs who support them.


  27. - The Way I See It - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:05 pm:

    Mike Madigan Day


  28. - SKI - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:10 pm:

    Jan 6th - Blues Brothers Day. They may be fictional characters, but the cultural impact of the movie can’t be measured. We have a classic American musical that shows off the only style of music to be uniquely grown here and it shows off Chicago in a fun and positive light. It’s a movie I recommend to anyone wanting to learn about the USA, and frankly it should be a requirement for you to see it before running for office in Illinois.

    Why Jan 6? Because we hate Illinois Nazis.


  29. - thechampaignlife - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:12 pm:

    I nominate Gene Hackman and Uncle Joe Cannon to round out the Danville delegation. For Champaign-Urbana, we have REO Speedwagon, Alison Krauss, Tom Bodett, Roger Ebert, and HAL 9000.


  30. - Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:17 pm:

    So many already listed. I’ll add a few…

    Music: Allison Krause (such a great voice AND a fantastic fiddler), REO Speedwagon (iconic rock band from Champaign), Big Twist (he was amazing)

    2nd City Improv - not just the official place, but all the fantastic comedians from Elaine May and Mike Nichols to all the SNL alums and just the concept of improv comedy

    Bill Murray - should need no explanation

    Mies Van der Rohe - the day could honor the iconic architect who helped make Chicago an important architectural hub AND we could all talk about glass houses and throwing stones


  31. - JoanP - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:21 pm:

    I second the vote for Mother Jones.

    Also - John Peter Altgeld. Some of today’s politicians could use a bit of his political courage.


  32. - Red Ketcher - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:27 pm:

    D.B. Cooper
    ( who knows ? )


  33. - Ok - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:27 pm:

    Frankly, this seems like a job for John Amdor.

    But I do recall we had a Dick Tracy day back in 2006.


  34. - Rudy’s teeth - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:33 pm:

    Captain Walter Dyett — musical director at Phillips and DuSable High Schools

    Among his students were Nate King Cole, Dorothy Donegan, Von Freeman, Johnny Griffin, Johnny Hartman, Eddie Harris, Dinah Washington, John Young,Redd Foxx and many, many others.


  35. - Proud Papa Bear - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:35 pm:

    December 1: Lou Rawls Day
    I actually celebrated this as a teen. Seriously.
    On my first full day in Illinois in 1983, I saw his WGN Chicago’s Very Own promo and I immediately felt welcome in my new home.


  36. - GV - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:35 pm:

    Ray Kroc - Everyone knows our crooks, why not a day to talk about our Kroc?


  37. - Give Us Barabbas - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:44 pm:

    Ellen Foley, from Mokena. Who? Yes, you know her: “What’s it gonna be, boy? Yes…or…no? I can wait all night… what’s it gonna Be, Boy… yes… or… no?” You don’t have to sleep on it.

    A Bonnie Bramlett day, please.

    Also, “Captain” George Streeter, whom Streeterville in Chicago is named for. Read the wikipedia and tell me that’s not a great movie.

    John Hughes day. It must come with a parade.


  38. - anon2 - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:45 pm:

    John Belushi was born in Chicago in 1949.
    Dick Butkus was born in Chicago in 1942.


  39. - lake county democrat - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:45 pm:

    Curtis Mayfield


  40. - lake county democrat - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:47 pm:

    (Sorry - explanation: among the greatest pop/r&b songwriters of all time - not just the Impressions and solo, but for other artists like Major Lance. Also an incredible performer and seemingly a really nice and decent person)


  41. - supplied_demand - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:55 pm:

    Mavis Staples for her contributions to gospel, soul, and R&B music and her actions during the civil rights movement.


  42. - Because I said so.... - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:56 pm:

    Oscar Mayer. The Chicago Dog is up there with Chicago style pizza.


  43. - Wolfpack - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 12:58 pm:

    I think Harmon also went to St Ignatius.


  44. - phenom_Anon - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 1:10 pm:

    =Marc Andreeson - Champaign. The 1993 U of I grad invented Mosaic, the first widely available, easy to use internet browser, opening the doors to the Information Age.=

    Agree with Thomas Paine here. You forgot to mention though that he then founded Netscape.
    Mosaic eventually became Internet Explorer. So for much of the web’s most important formative years, users and web designers both were almost exclusively working with browsers he developed, IE or Netscape (which continues as Firefox today).


  45. - oifredleg - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 1:20 pm:

    Dan Fogelberg Day. Central Illinois finest troubadour.


  46. - BigDoggie - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 1:31 pm:

    Cheap Trick day. Could refer to the band or most political operations in this state.


  47. - Loop Lady - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 1:32 pm:

    Ok, I’m gonna say it…Oak Park grows the most interesting
    people..,


  48. - Fayette County - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 1:35 pm:

    These have already been named but I would agree with Dick Van Dyke and Bob Newhart. Both made me laugh more times than I can count.


  49. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 1:37 pm:

    ===Cheap Trick day===

    It’s already celebrated every year on April 1.


  50. - Chicago Bars - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 1:47 pm:

    Bunch of good nominations up there. Buddy Guy Day should also be a thing (unless maybe it already was?). Icon of American Blues music.


  51. - Lt Guv - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 2:02 pm:

    Thank you to Thomas Paine for nominating Jane Addams. I was going to do that but will instead second the motion.


  52. - Gruntled University Employee - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 2:10 pm:

    Eddie Vedder, Tom Morello, Jay Bennett and Jay Farrar, all transformative musicians.


  53. - Quizzical - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 2:22 pm:

    Another vote for John Prine.

    Maybe the SOS could make “Don’t Bury Me” the official song of the State’s organ donation program. And have a little concert to celebrate.


  54. - God's Country - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 2:25 pm:

    Let me echo Dan Fogelberg. Although a punch line of Denis Leary’s, I’d invite you all to take a deeper dive into his catalogue. Phenomenal singer, songwriter and musician.


  55. - Candy Dogood - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 2:25 pm:

    ===It’s already celebrated every year on April 1. ===

    Head East Day is still available.


  56. - JS Mill - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 2:42 pm:

    =John Belushi was born in Chicago in 1949.
    Dick Butkus was born in Chicago in 1942.=

    Another vote for these guys and John Hughes. Parad a must.

    Also- Walter Payton. Sweetness wasn’t from here but he made it his home. Greatest Halfback of all time.

    And the 85 Bears. The whole team.


  57. - HangingOn - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:01 pm:

    Always loved Sam Kinison (raised in East Peoria) and David Ogden Stiers (Born Peoria.)


  58. - Ridgelander - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:02 pm:

    Muddy Waters. Although his nickname was for the state he left, he moved to Chicago in the early 1940’s and made Chicago blues famous.

    And, yet another nomination for John Prine. Although the honorary poet laureate designation was cool, an annual reminder to eat a lot peaches would be better still.


  59. - thechampaignlife - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:12 pm:

    He may be fictional, but Ferris Bueller deserves a place. Maybe we can all get a day off?


  60. - Bored - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:24 pm:

    Gwendolyn Brooks who wrote incredibly moving poetry influenced by her life in Chicago. Poet Laureate of Illinois for 32 years, first African American to win the Pulitzer.


  61. - Cosgrove - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:27 pm:

    Rich Miler Cap Fax Day!


  62. - Cosgrove - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:28 pm:

    Although I do live in the Bob Newhart building and could help arrange the ceremony.


  63. - Dysfunction Junction - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:39 pm:

    Mike Royko and/or Slats Grobnik for their many contributions to political analysis and for inspiring countless CapFax comments.


  64. - Almost the Weekend - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:40 pm:

    The winter solstice should be known as Bruce Rauner Day. Him and the day with the least amount of sunlight of the year go hand in hand.


  65. - Anyone Remember - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:46 pm:

    Additional suggestion - Ray Bradbury.


  66. - Loop Lady - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 3:56 pm:

    More Oak Park natives: Dan Castellaneta, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Bob Newhart, Judy Tenuta, Ernest Hemingway, Judith Vincent, Kathy Griffin, iman Shumpert, Evan Turner…


  67. - walker - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 4:00 pm:

    second Chief Back Hawk Day, Sauk and Fox Week.

    Given our history, and our current residents, we should have substantial Indian-nation property, and at least a Casino, in this state.


  68. - Midge - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 4:02 pm:

    John Mulaney, Styx


  69. - H-W - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 4:14 pm:

    Singer/songwriter Steve Goodman.


  70. - Dotnonymous - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 4:28 pm:

    Muddy Waters…spelled M.A.N…that represent a Man.


  71. - Been There - Thursday, Jan 6, 22 @ 4:49 pm:

    I agree 100% with most of the above. Now this might be a stretch but since they are from my neck of the woods in Chicago I say Styx. Might have been my first concert if you count hearing a band in a high school gym.


  72. - NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Friday, Jan 7, 22 @ 8:26 am:

    Oct. 14. Bartman Appreciation Day (Cards and Sox fans only).


  73. - NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Friday, Jan 7, 22 @ 8:29 am:

    ==Oct. 14. Bartman Appreciation Day (Cards and Sox fans only).==

    For Cub fans, that will be a day of mourning. Cardinal fans will instead have a day of mourning and fist-pumping on Oct. 26, Denkinger Day.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


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