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* More evidence why the Illinois Republican Party needs to focus a lot more resources on the Chicago region…
Situated in a cornfield east of the intersection of U.S. 47 and Illinois 113 in Grundy County is the point referred to by the census as the Mean Center of Population for Illinois.
The coordinates are calculated as the place where an imaginary, flat, weightless and rigid map of Illinois would balance perfectly if all its residents were of identical weight. […]
“Somewhere close to half the population of the state is within 40 miles of The Loop,” Illinois State University geography professor Mike Sublett said.
This actually isn’t “new” news. The state’s population center has been in Grundy for the past twenty years. In fact, the population center actually moved a tiny bit south in the most recent census.
* Meanwhile, I defended Rod Blagojevich for years for not living in Springfield. I have no regrets about that because I also criticized him for not showing up for session days. And, here we go again…
Since his inauguration for a full term Jan. 10, Gov. Pat Quinn has spent 12 days in Springfield, according to a review of his publicly released schedule.
Counting days Quinn spent partially in the capital city raises the number to 24, according to the governor’s staff, which also reviewed his private schedule.
The Executive Mansion is not the White House. There is no requirement or even established tradition that he should live there, the whining from Springfield types notwithstanding. As the top story clearly shows, most of Illinois lives in the Chicago media market. Population trumps geography any day in my book. I really don’t care how many days the governor spends in Springfield as long as he gets the job done. By the end of the session, we’ll have a good idea if he cleared that particular hurdle.
However, the governor has said time and time again that he “lives” at the mansion. That’s obviously not true, so this SJ-R story is a legit little gotcha.
* And I do have another problem with the governor’s excuses…
Quinn spokeswoman Mica Matsoff responded that “when the General Assembly is in Springfield, so is the governor.”
Not true. The GA has been in session more than 24 days since Quinn was inaugurated. They surpassed 24 session days back in March.
“I live at the mansion,” “I’m there whenever the Legislature is in town,” “I won’t support any tax increase above 1 percentage point,” “I’m for the death penalty,” “My helicopter couldn’t land in Cairo.” These things do add up.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, May 2, 11 @ 3:28 am
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Quinn has always had trouble with the truth. It is only since he has been Governor that people have started to keep track of his statements. He doesn’t see it though. He thinks everything he does and says is beyond reproach and that everyone else is wrong.
Anyone that has worked with him has learned not to point out that he might be wrong. That is why truth tellers have long departed his staff and only the bobbing head yes people remain.
Comment by cassiopia Monday, May 2, 11 @ 3:35 am
Given its lack of use, cost of operation and backlog of deferred maintenance, the mansion is an unnecessary luxury. Perhaps it’s time to knock it down before it falls down.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, May 2, 11 @ 6:52 am
Cue the Quinn “underwear defense”
Comment by Jimmy CrackCorn Monday, May 2, 11 @ 9:18 am
Are they sure Quinn wasn’t at the Mansion. I’m pretty sure HE doesn’t know where he is sometimes…
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, May 2, 11 @ 9:23 am
Pat Quinn survived only because of who he ran against. If the Illinois GOP had run anyone else (instead of Bill Brady) and it was a candidate who wasn’t known for being inflexible and rigid and known as the poster boy for “a right-winger’s right-winger”, then Quinn would have gone down in flames on election day. My guess is that Dan Rutherford will be Quinn’s next contender. If that should be the case, get out the crayolas and “color Quinn gone”.
Poor Quinn had become so steeped in surviving politically over the years that his salvation has suddenly become his achilles heel. Saying whatever you think will get you re-elected eventually fails. You wind up leaving a trail of false promises and lies that eventually come back to bite you. What had served Quinn well in the past will not necessarily continue to work for Quinn’s benefit in the future.
Comment by Sugar Beet Monday, May 2, 11 @ 9:38 am
Recently on Charlie Rose, he had a guest, James B. Stewart who has written a book “Tangled Webs: How American Society Is Drowning In Lies”. We have become a society where lying is indemic within all levels, especially in the leaders of industry and government. Unfortunately, we as a people have come to accept this behavior. It’s only perjury. Well perjury hurts everyone and we should take it more seriously. The governor should not be let off just because he can’t get his facts right.
Comment by RetiredStateEmployee Monday, May 2, 11 @ 10:06 am
He lies all the time. Nice of you acknowledging it. Can’t wait to hear what he has to say about this years “balanced budget”.
Comment by Fed up Monday, May 2, 11 @ 10:11 am
Come on…its not a lie if he believes it.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, May 2, 11 @ 10:24 am
Rich, in your opinion, should the Governor be in Springfield when the General Assembly is in session?
Can you state your logic either way?
How many days a year is the General Assembly in session (min, average, max)?
Comment by Mark Monday, May 2, 11 @ 10:54 am
Rich, that highway, in Grundy Co., is Illinois Rte. 47, not U.S. 47.
Comment by Conservative Veteran Monday, May 2, 11 @ 11:11 am
Mark,
Given the budget problems in the state, do you not feel that Quinn should be in Springfield to lead the debate?
It looks like the GA usually has about 5 months of sessions per year. The start date is determined by Constitution, the end date is determined by the GA leadership.
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, May 2, 11 @ 11:17 am
Playing a Truth card (Jon Kyl:’It’s not intended to be a factual statement’ after claiming 90% of what Planned parenthood does is abortion services) seems to be neck and neck with the Race card these days.
Comment by zatioichi Monday, May 2, 11 @ 11:41 am
I hate it when there is a disconnect between official talking points, the candidate, and the facts.
I’ve learned you can’t change two out of the three.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, May 2, 11 @ 3:20 pm