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*** UPDATED x7 - Mystery solved *** The adventure continues

Thursday, Mar 30, 2023 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The mystery shirt arrived early for committee today…

What a weird thing this is.

*** UPDATE 1 *** On the move again…

*** UPDATE 2 *** Part of the mystery has been solved. From comments…

I saw this shirt on the sidewalk two nights ago and hung it on the construction fence outside of Stratton. The shirt really is on the move!

The commenter included an email that only I can see. So, I reached out. The person is an intern for a legislative communications staff.

The shirt was on the hanger when the staffer found it.

*** UPDATE 3 *** This is the Capitol’s blue room. So maybe a press conference is coming?…

…Adding… FYI, it’s a Brooks Brothers shirt, size 17 1/2 - 36.

*** UPDATE 4 *** Post-presser meeting with Senate President Harmon…

*** UPDATE 5 *** OK, a prominent lobster is actually wearing it now, which is kinda hilarious but also a bit yucky, if you ask me…

I mean, check out the collar staining…

*** UPDATE 6 *** I hope it’s not driving…

…Adding… I think the shirt is heading north for spring break.

*** UPDATE 7 *** Rep. Kelly Cassidy took the shirt to Wally’s…

Rep. Marty McLaughlin happened to be at Wally’s at the same time, saw what was going on and said, “Hey, that’s my shirt.” He apparently dropped it the other night while helping a fellow legislator. It’s now back in the rightful owner’s hands…

-30-

…Adding… OK, one more…

       

87 Comments
  1. - Rabid - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:04 am:

    About to be pressed for information


  2. - Bruce( no not him) - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:04 am:

    Somewhere, someone wonders “ Where the heck is my shirt? That last clean one. Note I have to testify on a wrinkled shirt. ”


  3. - NotMe - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:05 am:

    In the grand state Capitol, oh what do we see?
    An empty shirt, oh yes indeed!
    It’s moving about, all on its own,
    Without a person, it’s clearly shown.

    Does it have legs? Oh no, no, no,
    It’s just the wind that makes it go!
    But still, it’s quite a sight to see,
    An empty shirt, roaming so free!

    It passes by the senators and their staff,
    They stop and stare, it makes them laugh!
    It goes up stairs and down the halls,
    It goes through doors and around the walls.

    Now don’t be scared, this shirt won’t bite,
    It’s just a curious sight in sight!
    So if you see it, just wave hello,
    To the empty shirt, on the go!


  4. - Rabid - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:06 am:

    What did you know , and when did you know it


  5. - Bruce( no not him) - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:07 am:

    Wow autocorrect is bad
    That was my last clean shirt. Now not note.
    Sorry I’ll try to proofread


  6. - Arsenal - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:07 am:

    I think that this shirt could beat either candidate for mayor of Chicago.


  7. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:10 am:

    === could beat either candidate===

    Mayor Mystery Shirt does have a nice ring to it.


  8. - former southerner - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:13 am:

    Harking back to the days of King Arthur and the sword in the stone, is there a statesperson honorable enough to don this hallowed shirt


  9. - TradedUpForMitch - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:19 am:

    It’s only weird if you make it weird.


  10. - Rabid - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:19 am:

    What a hangover


  11. - OneMan - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:21 am:

    Put on the Magical Mystery Shirt
    It’s filing a witness slip today, witness today

    Suit up
    It has all the stripes you need
    Put on the Magical Mystery Shirt

    Suite up
    It’s wired for sound you see
    I used to be belong to Mayor Daley, Mayor Daley

    Suit up
    It was at the drycleaners yesterday, clean it today…


  12. - Dog Lover - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:21 am:

    A warm up for April Fool’s Day?


  13. - DHS Drone - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:23 am:

    Wash me


  14. - Stuck in Celliniland - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:25 am:

    ==I think that this shirt could beat either candidate for mayor of Chicago.==

    He probably also has a chance to win mayor of Springfield.


  15. - Back to the Future - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:30 am:

    This is really odd.
    Usually the committee rooms only let empty suits in.


  16. - South of Sherman - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:32 am:

    In yet another stark reminder of the austerity of the Rauner years, empty suits at the Capitol were scaled back to empty shirts.


  17. - Rabid - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:32 am:

    Magical mystery tour; fool on the hill


  18. - Siualum - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:34 am:

    Call maintenance, get this thing thrown away.


  19. - Northsider - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:34 am:

    So when someone claims it permanently, will it be a collared shirt?
    .
    .
    .
    I’ll show myself out.


  20. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:35 am:

    ===get this thing thrown away. ===

    Noooooooooooo!


  21. - Chicago Republican - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:37 am:

    This thing is gonna have a long life I think…


  22. - SKI - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:40 am:

    I had a friend ask me how Statehouse types deal with some of the long hours & pressures down here. I told them we do stupid little things to stay sane. Don’t throw the shirt away. It’s perfect for this week.


  23. - Rabid - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:41 am:

    You can’t button it down


  24. - New Day - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:45 am:

    The pin stripes seem oddly appropriate for some given the testimony in the ComEd trial.


  25. - Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:45 am:

    Oh what a tangled 200 thread-count we weave, when first we practice to deceive.


  26. - OneMan - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:46 am:

    The new version of the ChatGPT engine did much better than I did

    (Verse 1)
    Roll up, roll up to the Springfield scene,
    A curious shirt with a tale to glean,
    We’re off to the heart of the Land of Lincoln,
    Where a shirt’s adventures are surely bewitchin’.

    (Chorus)
    It’s the Springfield Shirt Tour, waiting to take you away,
    Waiting to take you away.

    (Verse 2)
    Take a step inside this wondrous state,
    Where the shirt has ventured, don’t be late,
    From Lincoln’s Tomb to the Dana-Thomas House,
    It’s a magical journey, quiet as a mouse.

    (Chorus)
    It’s the Springfield Shirt Tour, waiting to take you away,
    Waiting to take you away.

    (Bridge)
    In the Capitol Building, it roams the halls,
    From the Governor’s office to the chamber walls,
    Old State Capitol, its presence is known,
    The tale of the shirt, a mystery full-blown.

    (Verse 3)
    Off to the Illinois State Museum,
    Where the shirt’s story is truly gleaming,
    A quick stop at the State Fairgrounds,
    It’s a Springfield whirlwind, going round and round.

    (Chorus)
    It’s the Springfield Shirt Tour, waiting to take you away,
    Waiting to take you away.

    (Outro)
    The Springfield Shirt Tour, a journey like no other,
    So roll up, roll up, it’s time to discover,
    Where will the shirt appear next, who can say?
    On the Springfield Shirt Tour, we’re whisked away!


  27. - Steve Rogers - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:46 am:

    Anonymous at 9:45 twas I.


  28. - Flyin'Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:48 am:

    “get this thing thrown away”

    Man, the party doesn’t start till you show up, does it.


  29. - Al - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:48 am:

    Congressmen Johnson must be in town?


  30. - Give Us Barabbas - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:50 am:

    Maybe it’s a metaphor for Bitcoin investors. Or a tribute to the unknown lobbyist. Or Larry King, with the 80s style French collar. All I know is, there’s a lot of shirt going on around the capitol building lately.


  31. - Linus - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:55 am:

    MYSTERY SHIRT 4 SCHOOL BOARD


  32. - Rabid - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:58 am:

    Checking day planner


  33. - Langhorne - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:59 am:

    Does the hanger tip us off the shirt is wearing a wire?


  34. - Josh Evans - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 9:59 am:

    Look if this is a 16.5 34/35 i’m just going to come take the damn thing. My button-ups are getting old.


  35. - 47th Ward - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 10:01 am:

    It’s got a bit of a ring around the collar thing going there.


  36. - Comm Staff - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 10:02 am:

    I saw this shirt on the sidewalk two nights ago and hung it on the construction fence outside of Stratton. The shirt really is on the move!


  37. - Sayitaintso - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 10:08 am:

    Janitors


  38. - New Day - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 10:08 am:

    Langhorne for the win….

    And did ChatGPT really come up with that? Man, those of us who make a living with words are all toast.


  39. - Earnest - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 10:09 am:

    Is this just a campaign to get Rich to add an Empty Shirt award in December for the least effective legislator?


  40. - twowaystreet - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 10:10 am:

    ==Call maintenance, get this thing thrown away.==

    “She’s a witch, burn her.”

    Time for someone to break out their largest scale and a duck to put it to the test.


  41. - Norseman - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 10:10 am:

    Love a little light-hearted shenanigans at the Capitol.


  42. - Elijah Snow - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 10:12 am:

    This reminds me of the Dr. Seuss story about the pale green pants with nobody inside them.


  43. - Michelle Flaherty - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 10:14 am:

    That shirt has more charisma than the current Springfield mayor. Then again, so does the hanger.


  44. - Bruce( no not him) - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 10:20 am:

    I am unable to wait till this shirt shows up on the witness chair at a hearing.
    Any hearing, but if it was a bill about dry cleaning would be appropriate.


  45. - Give Me A Break - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 10:22 am:

    I believe from the label, the shirt and the owner are a member of the Brethern. Those of you who know that label, know who you are.


  46. - Hannibal Lecter - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 10:24 am:

    This is strange. What is the purpose of this?


  47. - hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 10:30 am:

    Is the shirt gray or is it blue?


  48. - Teacher Lady - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 10:30 am:

    Just an observation -
    Someone has straightened the way the shirt is hanging on the hanger. Makes me think a woman is involved. Men don’t usually care how their clothes are hung up. Or is that just my husband?


  49. - NotMe - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 10:38 am:

    @elijahsnow, that was my request of chatgpt - a paragraph about an empty shirt at the state capitol in the style of Dr. Seuss


  50. - Streator Curmudgeon - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 10:41 am:

    Next will be some country music singer recording “The Ballad of the Nomad Shirt.”


  51. - Lincoln Lad - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 10:50 am:

    So that’s where that shirt went… and I blamed the cleaners.


  52. - Paddyrollingstone - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 10:52 am:

    I like that shirt - I am a big fan of contrast collars and cuffs, although I have heard that only obnoxious investment bankers and people in the Outfit wear them.


  53. - Rabid - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 10:55 am:

    The incredible journey


  54. - OneMan - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 11:01 am:

    New Day,
    Yeah it did here was the prompt

    Write a song to the tune of Magical Mystery Tour by the Beatles about a shirt that is showing up in various places within the Illinois capitol building in Springfield IL, work in other locations near the state capitol as well


  55. - DHS Drone - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 11:01 am:

    Squeezy’s latest victim…


  56. - Rabid - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 11:04 am:

    Got street cred


  57. - Amalia - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 11:10 am:

    Style going out of business


  58. - Dave Dahl - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 11:22 am:

    Would go nicely w Randy Ramey’s red jacket


  59. - Midwesterner - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 11:30 am:

    Shirt is probably brighter than the vast majority of the members of the legislative and executive branches.


  60. - Huh? - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 11:33 am:

    We run a class joint here. No shoes, no shirt, no service. We’ll loan you a shirt if necessary.


  61. - Nearly Normal - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 11:58 am:

    This shirt escapade has been hilarious to follow. Thanks for the laughs. We need some silly fun with the sad news that’s been hitting us. I am not a crier but the shooting in Nashville really hit me hard.


  62. - Six Degrees of Separation - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 12:17 pm:

    === could beat either candidate===
    However, as a write in, the election judges would have a hard time deciding who to apportion the vote to…one of the two empty shirts already on the ballot, or the new one.


  63. - Rudy’s teeth - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 12:18 pm:

    Is this Michael Madigan’s hair shirt?


  64. - Dotnonymous - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 1:44 pm:

    In some alternate dimension this shirt was elected Mayor…and no one could tell the difference.


  65. - West Side the Best Side - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 1:46 pm:

    Gotta be a lobster for the gambling industry or payday loans from the look of the sport coat. At least I hope it’s only a sport coat and not a suit coat.


  66. - Huh? - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 1:58 pm:

    We’re from the big and tall section at the local goodwill store.

    If i don’t get washed pretty soon, I’ll be able to stand in the corner by myself.


  67. - Rabid - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 2:01 pm:

    The missing (cuff) link


  68. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 2:02 pm:

    A blue shirt with a white collar.

    It covers a great many people.


  69. - Rabid - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 2:21 pm:

    Life in the fast lane


  70. - Yiddishcowboy - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 2:22 pm:

    Re “lobster” wearing the shirt: Dude, I’ll buy you a blue-hued pocket square. You never (of course you can if ya want) match your square with the color and pattern your sport coat; you need a different color of sqaure to make it “pop” against your coat.


  71. - Rabid - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 2:23 pm:

    Old cotton just fades away


  72. - Rabid - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 2:25 pm:

    I’m going to Disneyland


  73. - Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 2:27 pm:

    36″ arms? Might’ve found the Bears new left tackle


  74. - Loop Lady - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 3:15 pm:

    Ring around the collar Maximus…


  75. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 3:16 pm:

    I think the shirt is heading north for spring break.


  76. - Give us Barabbas - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 3:29 pm:

    The sequel to “Sisterhood of the traveling pants” was not as good….


  77. - Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 3:43 pm:

    What is wrong with you people? No wire hangers (banned punctuation)

    https://youtu.be/tUkE9qaVgmo


  78. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 4:11 pm:

    Everything happens at Wally’s


  79. - twowaystreet - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 4:12 pm:

    I guess the Rep does not read Cap Fax.


  80. - Bruce( no not him) - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 4:19 pm:

    And he was given it with no proof?
    No certificate of authenticity?
    I’m still skeptical. /s


  81. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 4:22 pm:

    ===I’m still skeptical. /s ===

    Well, there is this: https://repmclaughlin.com/about/


  82. - Day Late - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 4:28 pm:

    This was a fun distraction!


  83. - Glengarry - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 4:32 pm:

    Take some time off to watch baseball and something actually happens. Hopefully the shirt get to dry cleaning stat.


  84. - Streator Curmudgeon - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 4:46 pm:

    The old, “Hey, that’s my shirt” ruse. I’m not buying it.

    I was in Wally’s in Pontiac a couple weeks ago and saw the shirt there, but it had a clean collar at the time. (?)


  85. - Ugh - Thursday, Mar 30, 23 @ 7:19 pm:

    Proof we’ve all lost it and desperately need this break.


  86. - Loop Lady - Friday, Mar 31, 23 @ 8:40 am:

    Losing the shirt is better than droppin* the ball


  87. - Josh Evans - Friday, Mar 31, 23 @ 9:16 am:

    All sagas must come to an end, it’s up to us to interpret the meaning.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


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