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*** UPDATED x1 - Video *** State Fair report

Tuesday, Aug 13, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Well, here’s some good news. My iPhone’s AT&T service actually worked at the State Fair last night, probably because there wasn’t a big concert and crowds were kinda thin (Monday’s don’t seem to draw large crowds). I doubt it’ll be the same the rest of the week, though.

* I stopped by the Commodities Pavillion to check out the table I sponsored this year at the Pork Producers’ booth. The graphic is based on this painting by my niece Reagan…

But it didn’t show up too well…

Oh, well. Live and learn, I suppose.

* I also tried this while I was at the pavillion…

Not so great, I’m afraid.

* I tried a different corn dog than my usual Miller’s and it wasn’t good. Never again. The emcee at the draft horse competition thought he was a comedian, so that was a little tedious. The pierogies I bought at Ethnic Village were on the bland side. It rained for a while.

But I did see some cool exotic animals, had a great pork chop sandwich, had a nice Sky Tram ride, and thoroughly enjoyed a long walk around the fairgrounds on a beautiful evening.

Even when things go a little wrong, the Illinois State Fair just can’t be beat.

* Blogging will likely be light to non-existent the rest of the day because I have to leave soon for the “celebrity” harness horse race, which I’m in, as usual, and will start at about 1 o’clock. Be there or be square!

*** UPDATE *** I finished in the money. HDems won, SGOPs placed, Governor’s office was out of the money…

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Sen. Kirk begins to reemerge

Tuesday, Aug 13, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller

* This is good news…

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk is making his first trip to central Illinois since his January 2012 stroke.

Kirk’s keynote appearance at Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair on Thursday will be his first major political event since he revealed his intention to run for re-election in 2016.

The Highland Park Republican was first elected to President Barack Obama’s former Senate seat in 2010 and has been influential in reshaping the party’s political strategy.

Kirk’s spokesman says the senator will not endorse anyone in the 2014 Republican primary.

…Adding… Kirk won’t be endorsing in the gubernatorial primary. Apparently, he’s keeping his options open on the other races.

Kirk is also the special guest at Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka’s annual State Fair reception.

* More…

Kirk, the Illinois GOP’s top officeholder, was first elected to President Barack Obama’s former Senate seat in 2010. Before being sidelined for nearly a year by an ischemic stroke in Jan. 2012, he played an instrumental role in reshaping the party’s political strategy, both in revamping fundraising efforts and in working with the Illinois delegation to avoid costly primary matchups, which he refers to as “red on red” warfare.

Kirk’s renewed efforts, many of which will likely be behind the scenes, come at a pivotal time as Republicans work to reclaim the governor’s mansion and win several top-tier congressional races in 2014.

“I think it’s incredibly important to our viability,” said Jack Dorgan, chairman of the Illinois Republican Party. “Any time a U.S. senator gets involved in something, people stand up and take note.”

* Kirk is also hosting a veterans’ jobs fair with Aaron Schock…

It’s billed as one of the biggest veterans events the area has seen, and the two federal lawmakers sponsoring it hope they can help hundreds throughout the region.

On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., and U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria, are pooling their efforts for the Central Illinois Veterans Employment and Resources Fair, which they say is unlike anything. More than 150 vendors, organizations and employers will be at Bradley University’s Renaissance Coliseum.

Veterans can get free health screenings from Veterans Administration medical staff, attend breakout sessions on how to prepare a resume, how to obtain a union card and how to navigate the VA claims system.