* In case today’s song is about someone too far before your time…
Illinois Secretary of State Paul Powell had a simple definition, expressed in the negative, of a successful politician: “There’s only one thing worse than a defeated politician, and that’s a broke one.” For 42 years, Powell was an undefeated politician. Now, three months after his death, at age 68, his executor, the Illinois attorney general and the Illinois Bureau of Investigation are taking the true measure of his success. Powell, who in his lifetime of public service never earned more than $30,000 a year, left an estate worth more than $2 million—$800,000 of it in bills packed into shoe boxes, briefcases and strongboxes in the closet of his hotel suite in Springfield.
* I had never heard of Steve Goodman’s song about Paul Powell before yesterday, when an avid reader and music buff tipped me to it. It’s not historically accurate, but I’ll bow to artistic license and I do love this song. Just a quick warning, there’s one swear word in the lyrics. But, I mean, it’s a song about Paul Powell, so I’m giving it a pass…
You betrayed the public trust
And now you’re turning into dust
I don’t know if it is true or not but I had always heard that his widow got to keep most of the money found in the shoe boxes. I hope it is true it would be so Illinois like
IIRC Sam Madonia would later adopt that quote during his broadcasts of SHG football games on Springfield’s 1450, particularly in in the last minute or so of close playoff games where SHG was able to break through and secure a victory.
Never heard that one. thanks for posting. looked up Paul and read that he was elected Speaker (was he?) against a candidate Richard J. Daley supported. I’ll bet those who supported him thought THEY were getting the honest one.
- West Side the Best Side - Wednesday, May 13, 26 @ 11:02 am:
Just kept thinking throughout the song, what a piker compared to Don the Con. And everything he does is out in public view. Times have certainly changed.
- Behind the Scenes - Wednesday, May 13, 26 @ 11:40 am:
Today’s Irony. (Digging way back into my memory) The IL News Broadcaster’s Association was having it’s annual conference in Springfield the weekend Powell’s treasure trove was uncovered at the St. Nick.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, May 13, 26 @ 12:47 pm:
Steve Goodman is best known for “Go Cubs Go” which he also recorded, but he was only 23 when he wrote and recorded “City of New Orleans,” one of the greatest American folk songs in my opinion.
“Steve Goodman is best known for “Go Cubs Go” which he also recorded, but he was only 23 when he wrote and recorded “City of New Orleans,” one of the greatest American folk songs in my opinion.”
Indeed it is. Arlo helped a bit as well.
Saw Steve in ‘82 (I think at the Park West), when “A Dying Cub Fan’s Last Request” was in its early rotation. Great show.
The good ones are taken early.
- Dotnonymous x - Wednesday, May 13, 26 @ 6:02 pm:
Powell simply observed cash was king…heh…pales in comparison to our current national affliction.
- Dotnonymous x - Wednesday, May 13, 26 @ 6:09 pm:
- Anyone Remember - Wednesday, May 13, 26 @ 7:19 am:
Thank you!
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, May 13, 26 @ 7:38 am:
I don’t know if it is true or not but I had always heard that his widow got to keep most of the money found in the shoe boxes. I hope it is true it would be so Illinois like
- Think Again - Wednesday, May 13, 26 @ 7:54 am:
I can smell the meat a-cookin
https://apnews.com/article/paul-powell-illinois-home-shoebox-scandal-corruption-4fbd979cdaa61abc1f8a68f9898ace90
- Keyrock - Wednesday, May 13, 26 @ 8:58 am:
Never heard that. Thanks.
Saw Steve a few times. Very hard to believe - and very sad - that he’s been gone more than 40 years.
- Leatherneck - Wednesday, May 13, 26 @ 9:11 am:
=I can smell the meat a-cookin=
IIRC Sam Madonia would later adopt that quote during his broadcasts of SHG football games on Springfield’s 1450, particularly in in the last minute or so of close playoff games where SHG was able to break through and secure a victory.
- Big Tom - Wednesday, May 13, 26 @ 9:35 am:
Polimusicology
- Amalia - Wednesday, May 13, 26 @ 9:49 am:
Never heard that one. thanks for posting. looked up Paul and read that he was elected Speaker (was he?) against a candidate Richard J. Daley supported. I’ll bet those who supported him thought THEY were getting the honest one.
- West Side the Best Side - Wednesday, May 13, 26 @ 11:02 am:
Just kept thinking throughout the song, what a piker compared to Don the Con. And everything he does is out in public view. Times have certainly changed.
- Behind the Scenes - Wednesday, May 13, 26 @ 11:40 am:
Today’s Irony. (Digging way back into my memory) The IL News Broadcaster’s Association was having it’s annual conference in Springfield the weekend Powell’s treasure trove was uncovered at the St. Nick.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, May 13, 26 @ 12:47 pm:
Steve Goodman is best known for “Go Cubs Go” which he also recorded, but he was only 23 when he wrote and recorded “City of New Orleans,” one of the greatest American folk songs in my opinion.
- Proud Sucker - Wednesday, May 13, 26 @ 4:27 pm:
“Steve Goodman is best known for “Go Cubs Go” which he also recorded, but he was only 23 when he wrote and recorded “City of New Orleans,” one of the greatest American folk songs in my opinion.”
Indeed it is. Arlo helped a bit as well.
Saw Steve in ‘82 (I think at the Park West), when “A Dying Cub Fan’s Last Request” was in its early rotation. Great show.
The good ones are taken early.
- Dotnonymous x - Wednesday, May 13, 26 @ 6:02 pm:
Powell simply observed cash was king…heh…pales in comparison to our current national affliction.
- Dotnonymous x - Wednesday, May 13, 26 @ 6:09 pm:
“I hope your coffin rusts”…LOL.