Catching up on back issues. It was informative to review the obituaries of the influential former legislator Susan Catania, who died a six weeks ago. One omission was the fact that Catania’s refusal to support a redistricting map after many of her Republican colleagues opposed the Equal Rights Amendment helped pave the way for the rise of Speaker Michael J. Madigan. The GOP lost the majority in the House and Illinois began to turn from Red to Blue. Yes, the Cutback Amendment was another factor, but the inability of the Republicans to approve a map was a big deal too.
What’s happening? How would I know? Does Illinois even exist without Capitol Fax
- Friendly Bob Adams - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 9:23 am:
Thank goodness the Bears season is over. Tough to watch except for a streak in December. I predict they will cut Fields loose and struggle with the next QB for a few years.
Being a Bears fan is proof that the universe does not want us to be happy….
I like Fields, but I don’t think he’s the guy to take the Bears to the next level. And by drafting a QB first round they can reset the salary clock at that position. And it would be embarrassing for the Bears to have two consecutive #1 picks without getting a franchise QB. Fields could get a 2nd round draft pick with all the QB-needy teams.
==Being a Bears fan is proof that the universe does not want us to be happy….==
If it makes you feel any better, the Packers are probably (definitely) going to lose on Sunday to the Cowboys, coached by former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. That game is going to be painful to watch.
I am extremely disappointed by the result of the Bears/Packers game yesterday. Don’t think it was Fields’ fault though. Injuries on the offensive line made it too difficult to protect Fields.
I do not want to start over with a new QB. I am not sold that either of the top two QBs will even be any good. Grab another WR and OL in the first round. Keep building in the trenches. Pick up key free agents on the line and in your secondary. Fields shows that he can excel when you block for him. Let’s try to do that.
Chicago is going to see about 86 electric school buses showing up based on EPA’s Clean School Bus grant announcements today. E St Louis, North Chicago, Naperville will also see 25 each. >240 total coming to Illinois & thousands nationally. Nice knowing IL biz and jobs they support like Lion Electric Joliet factory getting a significant piece of this!
- Pot calling kettle - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 11:06 am:
Fields deserves a season behind a functional offensive line before the Bears consider dumping him. He’s got potential, but every QB needs a couple of seconds to throw.
Rarely do first year quarterbacks come in and make an immediate impact particularly on a bad team. And the Bears are a bad team offensively. Building the line, improving the running game, and finding a wide receiver to complement Moore should be the priorities. Using draft capital to swap quarterbacks will only guarantee more of the same and add 2-3 years to their horizon of being competitive.
#9 Illinois losing to #1 Purdue by three, albeit after an admittedly having a horrible start to the game, but dropping to #10 seems weird to me. The Illini lost a close game to a higher ranked team, sounds like grounds to stand pat more than anything.
- Give Me A Break - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 8:05 am:
Just in time for the start of session next week, winter has fired up in the 217.
- monday mornin coming down - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 8:39 am:
madigan appeared on dearborn. perp walk. good times.
- Gravitas - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 8:43 am:
Catching up on back issues. It was informative to review the obituaries of the influential former legislator Susan Catania, who died a six weeks ago. One omission was the fact that Catania’s refusal to support a redistricting map after many of her Republican colleagues opposed the Equal Rights Amendment helped pave the way for the rise of Speaker Michael J. Madigan. The GOP lost the majority in the House and Illinois began to turn from Red to Blue. Yes, the Cutback Amendment was another factor, but the inability of the Republicans to approve a map was a big deal too.
- JoanP - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 8:54 am:
Missed you!
- Banish Misfortune - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 9:20 am:
What’s happening? How would I know? Does Illinois even exist without Capitol Fax
- Friendly Bob Adams - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 9:23 am:
Thank goodness the Bears season is over. Tough to watch except for a streak in December. I predict they will cut Fields loose and struggle with the next QB for a few years.
Being a Bears fan is proof that the universe does not want us to be happy….
- Independent - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 9:27 am:
I like Fields, but I don’t think he’s the guy to take the Bears to the next level. And by drafting a QB first round they can reset the salary clock at that position. And it would be embarrassing for the Bears to have two consecutive #1 picks without getting a franchise QB. Fields could get a 2nd round draft pick with all the QB-needy teams.
- Wisco Expat - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 9:29 am:
==Being a Bears fan is proof that the universe does not want us to be happy….==
If it makes you feel any better, the Packers are probably (definitely) going to lose on Sunday to the Cowboys, coached by former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. That game is going to be painful to watch.
- Hannibal Lecter - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 9:53 am:
RE: the Bears and Fields
I am extremely disappointed by the result of the Bears/Packers game yesterday. Don’t think it was Fields’ fault though. Injuries on the offensive line made it too difficult to protect Fields.
I do not want to start over with a new QB. I am not sold that either of the top two QBs will even be any good. Grab another WR and OL in the first round. Keep building in the trenches. Pick up key free agents on the line and in your secondary. Fields shows that he can excel when you block for him. Let’s try to do that.
- Occasionally Moderated - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 9:56 am:
Rage Against The Machine’s “Sleep Now In The Fire” has never sounded better than January, 8 2024.
- thrudasmog - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 10:29 am:
Chicago is going to see about 86 electric school buses showing up based on EPA’s Clean School Bus grant announcements today. E St Louis, North Chicago, Naperville will also see 25 each. >240 total coming to Illinois & thousands nationally. Nice knowing IL biz and jobs they support like Lion Electric Joliet factory getting a significant piece of this!
- Pot calling kettle - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 11:06 am:
Fields deserves a season behind a functional offensive line before the Bears consider dumping him. He’s got potential, but every QB needs a couple of seconds to throw.
- Etown - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 11:23 am:
A new year but same as the old one when it comes results of Bears Packers
I dont care who the quarterback is, they need to figure out a way to beat Green Bay as least once next year. 3-24 in last 27 games
Brutal!
- Huh? - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 11:34 am:
If you haven’t seen the video of the mouse tidying up a work bench, it is too cute for words.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/08/uk/british-man-mouse-tidying-shed-intl-scli-gbr/index.html
- Huh? - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 11:35 am:
Bears need to ditch EverLose.
- Pundent - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 11:56 am:
Rarely do first year quarterbacks come in and make an immediate impact particularly on a bad team. And the Bears are a bad team offensively. Building the line, improving the running game, and finding a wide receiver to complement Moore should be the priorities. Using draft capital to swap quarterbacks will only guarantee more of the same and add 2-3 years to their horizon of being competitive.
- TJ - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 12:48 pm:
#9 Illinois losing to #1 Purdue by three, albeit after an admittedly having a horrible start to the game, but dropping to #10 seems weird to me. The Illini lost a close game to a higher ranked team, sounds like grounds to stand pat more than anything.
- JoanP - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 1:13 pm:
@ Huh? -
I saw that video earlier, and if it weren’t that I have two cats, I’d invite that mouse to come tidy up my place.
- Gravitas - Monday, Jan 8, 24 @ 2:46 pm:
Northwestern Basketball had a quality win over MSU yesterday.