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House chair for sale

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Illinois

Somebody in Kankakee County is selling a “retired” chair from the Illinois House of Representatives on eBay.

Check out this description:

This chair was retired from the State of Illinois House of Representatives in Springfield Illinois around 1977. It was acquired from its last occupant in the House. There is a leather State of Illinois seal attached to the back. The chair holds many secrets from that era as it was used by state representatives from Kankakee County, including Nobel Prize Nominee, and former Illinois Governor, George Ryan.

The seller didn’t mention that Ryan is on trial right now, but that may be understandable. Although I’m sure the feds would like to bring the chair in for questioning since it “holds many secrets.”

Starting bid is a cool $1,000.

(Hat tip to my eBay-addicted father.)

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 4:07 am

Comments

Is the seller going to reimburse the State for the $700 cost?

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 6:02 am
I bet the chair comes with a wire…

Comment by Anon Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 11:01 am
I am willing to bet that George Ryan has his chair. This one must of belonged to the Rep that owned the Cadillac dealership. Shoot, I am having a senior moment.

Comment by Shelbyville Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 11:32 am
Good guess Shelbyville,

It might be Ed McBroom’s. There was a time, back in the day, that if you wanted any city or county business in Kankakee, you’re chances improved greatly if you bought a Cadillac from Chairman Ed.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 11:52 am
Yes, Ed McBroom. Thanks 47th ward. I will ask George Ryan if he has his. These were sold one other time and perhaps it didn’t really belong to anyone from Kankakee. I would like to have it, but I will see what happens with the bidding. I don’t know if I want it $1,000 + or not.

Comment by Shelbyville Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 11:59 am
No need to reimburse the state of Illinois for the chair. When the chamber was remodeled and new chairs bought, the legislators were allowed to take their personal chair home to keep.

This is not the first time that it happened. There are other chairs out there in Illinois and elsewhere that once graced the capitol.

Comment by Nearly Normal Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 12:00 pm
The chairs cost $25. Maybe I shouldn’t have given one to the McHenry County Historical Society. (It was not in as good shape, however.)

Comment by Cal Skinner Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 1:23 pm
Can we sell the governor’s mansion, too? ala Eisendrath? It’s not being used.

Comment by Hoosierdaddy Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 3:15 pm
It’s a chair from the senate, not the house. They replaced them all a couple of years ago. I know this because I recieved one for X-mas.( from the north side of the isle)

Comment by caveinrocker Friday, Jan 27, 06 @ 4:10 pm
That’s a red Senate chair, the House chairs are blue.

They’re crappy chairs.

Comment by The Colonel Saturday, Jan 28, 06 @ 6:02 am
Can’t really say that I would want a chair that George Ryan sat in/on in my house. I think too much of my friends and guests to ask them to sit in that same chair. It would be like asking them if they would like to spend the night at my house and they could sleep in the bed that Benedict Arnold or John Wilkes Booth slept in that I have in my spare bedroom. I don’t think I would have too many takers on my offer.

Comment by Beowulf Saturday, Jan 28, 06 @ 12:12 pm
It may in fact been Ed McBroom’s chair…when he was Senator Ed McBroom. He lost to Jerry Joyce, a democrat & believe he came back to Spfld in the Ill. House & I believe losing to Chuck Pangle then a democrat. Ed was around a long time & so was his family. And, you are right it’s a Senate chair. $1000.00 seems a little “salty” & someone is apparently trying to capitalize on George’s trial.

Comment by the old republican Saturday, Jan 28, 06 @ 10:47 pm
Talk about giving someone “the chair.”

Comment by Amy Saturday, Jan 28, 06 @ 11:09 pm
Col- The chairs in the House were red until the 1974 remodeling. They were more comfortable than the blue chairs, but red did not match Speaker Bob Blair’s eyes…or so the story goes.

Comment by Cal Skinner Tuesday, Jan 31, 06 @ 9:41 pm