Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

A big thank you

Posted in:

Illinois

* I checked the blog’s usage stats and discovered that yesterday was our second busiest session day during the past 12 months.

To give you an idea of how the blog has grown over the years, yesterday’s page view count was actually higher than it was the day after Rod Blagojevich was arrested in December of 2008.

Anyway, I just thought I’d say “Thanks.”

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:12 pm

Comments

Thank you for giving us something to keep coming back to.

Comment by Ahoy Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:16 pm
You’re welcome. But it’s because this is consistently the best site for political and government news. Your outstanding coverage, constant updates, accurate reporting and interesting delivery is what drives so much traffic here. So thank you.

Plus, this lame duck session is like a mini-Con-Con. It’s not just the income tax debate either. The GA is advancing some of the most sweeping, structural reforms in a generation. If most of this stuff gets enacted, it will forever change state government in Illinois. That’s no exagerration either.

Thanks for giving it to me here and saving me the trip to Springfield.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:18 pm
No problem, my phone hated me for constantly refreshing your site for information about the tax bill

Comment by Publius Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:23 pm
I rely heavily on the information from your newsletter and this blog for my personal interest and also for my job.

Thanks for providing us with the most up to date, accurate info on Illinois government.

Comment by Because I say so Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:26 pm
No Rich,
Thank you.

We come back because of the good work that you do.

We, your readers, owe you a debt of gratitude.

Comment by jerry 101 Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:31 pm
Thank you, Rich. Thank you, also, for offering support to us public-sector workers in your recent editorial piece in the Chicago Sun Times. You advocate for compromise yet at the same time you do not approve of wholesale bashing of us.

Thank you for pointing out that the CEO of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago–I’m assuming this is R. Eden Martin–had a whopping salary last year ($15+ million, according to Forbes), and that the Chicago Tribune editorial page has all but given the CCC free rein to scapegoat us.

I have your article posted on my wall at work and on a bulletin board.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:31 pm
Wow, congrats.

You’ve earned it.

Comment by drew Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:33 pm
The thanks are from us to you for providing us with a place to go to get the most accurate and up to date information on what is happening in our State, for your insight into that information and for sometimes smacking us in the back of the head when we get a little crazy.

Comment by Irish Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:34 pm
You ain’t seen nothing yet.

Wait til Rezko takes the stand this spring!

Comment by Leave a light on George Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:36 pm
Go get ‘em, Rich. And remember to give Barton time to get his homework done.

Comment by Ray del Camino Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:39 pm
I also echo the thank yous.

I frequently tell people I know to read your blog if they really want to understand what is happening in the State. Plus they will always be a day or two (or maybe even a week) ahead of the stories in the Trib and Sun Times.

Comment by Objective Dem Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:40 pm
Good to have a business that’s counter-cyclical to state government. Kudos.

Comment by just sayin' Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:44 pm
Thanks for giving a site worth coming back to time and again!

Comment by Liandro Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:49 pm
Thank you Rich — we heart you too!!
(using my real name because someone keeps using my favorite alias — “just sayin’”!!!)
:)

Comment by amy brennan Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:52 pm
Thanks goes to you Rich. CapFax = best place for good info and debates to understand the impact of the issues.

Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:53 pm
Great work Rich. You deserve the page views.

Comment by Fed up Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:55 pm
Thank you for producing this site and providing a moderated, intelligent forum. It is a beacon of light in these contentious times.

Comment by davidh60010 Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:55 pm
…and to you Sir. Where else would I go to figure out whether time gets suspended on the floor of the House or Senate?

Comment by washedmyhands Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:56 pm
Thank you for enforcing civility here and yanking us back into line when we go overboard. This blog is so much better than the Internet message boards, in which people from all sides spew stuff they probably wouldn’t dare say in public.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:57 pm
I believe it was the Beachwood Reporter that linked you one day this past April. I’ve been coming on here ever since. I don’t work in IL politics, just a guy from the western suburbs of Chicago, that now lives in Chicago that works at the CBOE. I learn more about our state on here than I would from the local news.

Comment by Davey Boy Smithe Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 12:59 pm
Rich,

Thanks go to you for PWNing this beat. Representative democracy needs damn good journalists to keep it viable — and for Illinois politics you’re simply the damn finest.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 1:04 pm
Thanks - when do those private briefings start?

Comment by Jack Darin Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 1:05 pm
LOL, Jack.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 1:07 pm
No Thank YOU! I also use your site for quick links on looking up bills, and other matters along with reading the news feeds.

Just don’t try to improve the layout again for a while!

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 1:18 pm
I first became a fan of Capitol Fax about twenty years ago when my father subscribed to it.

This is the best place to find out the inside scoop on Illinois politics or we wouldn’t be here. On top of that, we get to argue with some of the most intelligent and/or opinionated people around.

Nobody does it better. It’s that simple.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 1:22 pm
Thank You! (I think) for making me a fledgling political junkie. Now, if you’d run a “lame duck” special so I could justify a membership, all would be great!!
Seriously, keep up the good work.

TimB

Comment by TimB Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 1:22 pm
I think many fans of this site could say the following:

My favorite website. Well, that is easy, it is Rich Miller’s Capitol Fax, obviously. Rich Miller’s best blog post, probaly, is a tie between, all of them. I do a Rich Miller impression, “ooff and sheesh”. That is pretty much from every blog post about the budget problem.

Am I obsessed with capital fax, I don’t know, I think obsessed is a strong word. I think I am a devoted fan. The capital fax is just perfect for me because with one click of a button I can find out about all the corruption and financial problems in Illinois. For instance, lets just say I happen to be in the mood for a story about a rebellous teen livig in a town where dancing is illgal. poof, I get everything I need to know about Aaron Shoock.

I check cap fax all day long. My wife said if I keep reading Rich Miller’s capitol fax, I am going to turn into Rich Miller. Fingers crossed.

Comment by Cuban Pilot Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 1:23 pm
thank You

Comment by Just Because Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 1:25 pm
Really Capitol Fax serves as a check on the rummors that fly about the halls of the General Assembly. I am not surprised at the number of hits.

Comment by Rod Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 1:30 pm
==I first became a fan of Capitol Fax about twenty years ago when my father subscribed to it.==

LOL

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 1:40 pm
You’re the best, most handsome Captain of Facts out there. My sincere thanks to you, Rich Miller!

Comment by Fan of Cap Fax Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 1:43 pm
Yeah, that was a little troubling, Anonymous.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 1:43 pm
Anonymous to Anonymous

He really did. It came as a fax and he’d always save it so I could read it.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 1:45 pm
Sorry, that was me. Here’s another laugher.
== most handsome Captain of Facts out there==
It must be the tux. lol

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 1:46 pm
When my NJ nephew decided to pick the IL Senate race to follow for his AP History project I told him this site would be his best resource. The kid earned an A.

Thanks Rich.

Comment by 10th Indy Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 1:46 pm
You gotta admit, Bill, I did look awful good in that tux last night. Or, as good as a guy who looks like me can look.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 1:47 pm
I don’t post much lately but I’m still lurking around. This site is indispensable if you want to understand what’s going on in Illinois politics. You’re a tribute to your profession, Mr. Miller.

Comment by Lefty Lefty Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 1:49 pm
Congrats Rich.
My friends in low places say you are one of the hardest working guys in Springfield. Given your competition, I am not sure how much of a compliment that really is but keep it up.

Comment by Jake From Elwood Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 1:51 pm
The product is exceptional, the viewpoints are stimulating and the rules of engagement are civilized. Splendid behavior.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 1:58 pm
This is my one-stop shop for all state news. I learn more in a few minutes here than I do from hours of watching talking heads on TV. It’s an honor to be able to join in the discussion too. Thank YOU, Rich

Comment by Secret Square Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 2:37 pm
No - THANK YOU!

Comment by collar observer Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 3:16 pm
Thank you, Rich, for educating those of us who know nothing about politics but find the process both facinating and infuriating. While you can limit the majority of your content to subscribers, you remain generous to little folk like me, and for that I am incredibly grateful.

Comment by Sgt Schultz Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 4:17 pm
I’ve only been here a few months, but I think it’s a great blog, very informative. And the quality of the comments from your readers is exceptional. As are the blog owner’s.

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 4:51 pm
People know where to go when there’s big state news afoot. Thanks for the good work.

Comment by Boone Logan Square Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 5:15 pm
Rich, honestly your’s is the only site where timely and important information is available. You are the value proposition.

Comment by last bureaucrat standing Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 6:01 pm
Your blog is the best site for the most authoritative, relevant, current, and reliable political news and insight! More than once, I’ve encouraged my Facebook friends to follow your blog for the latest news. Thank you for keeping us abreast of Illinois political news!

Comment by Stephanie Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 6:38 pm
As I myself have said more than once before, Thank YOU Rich…this is always a great, insightful, informative, and, yes, even fun blog to participate in at times, especially if one is even mildly interested in Illinois politics and/or government, which they should be if they live in our (the best in the U.S. on the whole) State! And in a healthy democracy, (and I’m sure our Founding Fathers would agree that) when it comes to the citizenry gaining relevant information and voicing varied opinions, the more the merrier!!!

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:45 pm
Rich you have provided years worth of insight about Illinois politics, you were my fax client when these were actually being FAXED…That was about a decade ago, you’re no longer my client, rather I’m yours, and a happy one. Thanks and keep up the great reporting.

Comment by Javor Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 7:52 pm
ugh, how did I miss this thread! Rich, this blog is a source of information, a way to work out thoughts, and I believe that decision makers read and are provided with paths for action that they may not develop themselves. Also, it’s just plain cathartic. thanks so much for doing this work for Illinois and for all of us.

Comment by amalia Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 11:28 pm