My partner keeps asking me for my schedule for the coming days so we can coordinate who watches our new dog. It’s always funny to speak with someone not used to Springfield in May, because I always hear something like, ‘So when will you know when they’re done there?’
Treefiddy, trying to explain the last week of session to people who have never worked in the legislative process is impossible.
They simply can’t understand how deadlines are ignored, starting times for committees and session are estimates at best and how little the “rank and file” know about what is happening with big picture issues.
Friends and relatives of mine just don’t believe how the process works.
“Civilians” indeed have a tough time grasping both the politics to the process and the process to governing, and it’s not their fault, nor is it an elitist ideal knowing or not knowing how things work in Springfield.
It *is* the constant reminder that it’s a trade, it’s a business and subgroup trade that needs to be understood and learned, even in a normal semblance the trade makes no sense when “looking in”
A few events of late made me proud of our state.
The first was my friend, born in a village in Pakistan and came here at three. Educated in Illinois, last week he argued a case in the US Supreme Court.
The second was a service for my friend’s dad who passed this week at 93. A survivor of Auschwitz, he came to Chicago at 20, served in the Army, used the GI Bill to attend Northwestern, and lived a good, full life.
- Back to the Future - Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:24 am:
@Proud Papa Bear
Liked your post.
Made it a really nice way to start the day.
Watched our neighbor debate marijuana legalization last night. The House legislators were truly “Minnesota nice.” Very polite and considerate treatment of each other across the aisle. Would love to see more of this, everywhere.
Hey Chicago Tribune, it’s 2023, well past time that you learned it was always sexist to portray a woman as a witch to critique. that you did this today to Hillary Clinton is ridiculous.
“Friends and relatives of mine just don’t believe how the process works.”
Too true, and OW’s comments about understanding that it’s a trade and learning its workings are definitely accurate.
Whenever I try to explain what’s happening to others who work in the private sector, they typically reply with “People here lose their jobs for that!” and I say, “Well here, they get re-elected.”
- thisjustinagain - Friday, May 19, 23 @ 12:31 pm:
A drizzly humid day in the 60827.
Also Rich, not sure this is your issue, but the Assoc. Press feed links on the right side of the page are something like a month out of date in some cases.
- Trap - Friday, May 19, 23 @ 7:42 am:
Smells like blown deadline in Springfield.
- Give Me A Break - Friday, May 19, 23 @ 8:16 am:
Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, I’m so ready for this session to be through.
- oifredleg - Friday, May 19, 23 @ 8:29 am:
Final Friday with students.
- Treefiddy - Friday, May 19, 23 @ 8:47 am:
My partner keeps asking me for my schedule for the coming days so we can coordinate who watches our new dog. It’s always funny to speak with someone not used to Springfield in May, because I always hear something like, ‘So when will you know when they’re done there?’
- Give Me A Break - Friday, May 19, 23 @ 8:52 am:
Treefiddy, trying to explain the last week of session to people who have never worked in the legislative process is impossible.
They simply can’t understand how deadlines are ignored, starting times for committees and session are estimates at best and how little the “rank and file” know about what is happening with big picture issues.
Friends and relatives of mine just don’t believe how the process works.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:07 am:
“Civilians” indeed have a tough time grasping both the politics to the process and the process to governing, and it’s not their fault, nor is it an elitist ideal knowing or not knowing how things work in Springfield.
It *is* the constant reminder that it’s a trade, it’s a business and subgroup trade that needs to be understood and learned, even in a normal semblance the trade makes no sense when “looking in”
- Proud Papa Bear - Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:14 am:
A few events of late made me proud of our state.
The first was my friend, born in a village in Pakistan and came here at three. Educated in Illinois, last week he argued a case in the US Supreme Court.
The second was a service for my friend’s dad who passed this week at 93. A survivor of Auschwitz, he came to Chicago at 20, served in the Army, used the GI Bill to attend Northwestern, and lived a good, full life.
- Back to the Future - Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:24 am:
@Proud Papa Bear
Liked your post.
Made it a really nice way to start the day.
- Amalia - Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:47 am:
well, thought it would be warmer today. wanted to do some gardening. cold.
- Grandson of Man - Friday, May 19, 23 @ 9:58 am:
Watched our neighbor debate marijuana legalization last night. The House legislators were truly “Minnesota nice.” Very polite and considerate treatment of each other across the aisle. Would love to see more of this, everywhere.
- Amalia - Friday, May 19, 23 @ 10:05 am:
Hey Chicago Tribune, it’s 2023, well past time that you learned it was always sexist to portray a woman as a witch to critique. that you did this today to Hillary Clinton is ridiculous.
- Manchester - Friday, May 19, 23 @ 10:13 am:
Great post Proud Papa Bear. It honors and celebrates the diversity that is our country.
- JoanP - Friday, May 19, 23 @ 10:17 am:
If anyone needs a new t-shirt, check out this story from Block Club Chicago: https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/05/19/chicagoans-ask-fox-news-to-shut-the-f-up-about-chicago-with-new-t-shirts/
- Squirrel - Friday, May 19, 23 @ 10:22 am:
I’m just gonna say that dating someone who works for the House sucks right now, but being a political junkie kinda makes up for it.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Friday, May 19, 23 @ 10:26 am:
Yesterday’s Caption Contest was one of the funniest in years. Thanks to all who posted. I needed the laughs.
- Too Close - Friday, May 19, 23 @ 10:47 am:
“Friends and relatives of mine just don’t believe how the process works.”
Too true, and OW’s comments about understanding that it’s a trade and learning its workings are definitely accurate.
Whenever I try to explain what’s happening to others who work in the private sector, they typically reply with “People here lose their jobs for that!” and I say, “Well here, they get re-elected.”
- thisjustinagain - Friday, May 19, 23 @ 12:31 pm:
A drizzly humid day in the 60827.
Also Rich, not sure this is your issue, but the Assoc. Press feed links on the right side of the page are something like a month out of date in some cases.