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* We’ve never done one of these on Big Jim, so let’s give this a try. The former governor is holding a rare duck decoy, which he bought last year at an auction for $100,625. I kid you not…

Winner gets a free ticket to the July 25th White Sox game.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 4:02 am

Comments

Yep, 100,000 large for this Duck, seems like I still work for the State.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 5:54 am
If it looks like one, walks like one and quacks like one, it must be…

Comment by Danny B Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 6:48 am
Oh look, a duck!

Comment by Retired Non-Union Guy Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 6:51 am
And the winner of the 2011 “Lame Duck Governor” goes to Pat Quinn. Quinn is unable to attend today, although he did send a rambling 87 minute acceptace speech. Accepting the trophy is ‘Big Jim’.

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 6:51 am
If you think it wasn’t a good deal, print it …

Comment by Retired Non-Union Guy Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 6:51 am
“Wanna buy a duck?” — Joe Penner
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Penner

Comment by Dooley Dudright Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 7:00 am
After years of scrimping and saving former Governor Jim Thompson purchased ‘quacky’ the magical duck who guided him to getting elected state wide as a Republican for Governor…

Quacky who had been passed down from Thompson to Jim Edgar to George Ryan had been ‘lost’ during the Ryan administration after a party was held at the governors mansion.

Years later a mysterious man with really nice hair had pawned it, saying ‘Sam says I need more money’ the pawn dealer (ironically SLC) did not realize it’s value or it’s power sold it to a guy for $50.

This mystery solitary man, was informed by ‘quacky’ of his true power and realizing he could never be elected governor due to his snarky comments on a blog, put his up for auction hoping his moderate Republican idol would buy it and help return balance to the state.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 7:03 am
Former Governor James Thompson holds his $100,000 duck illustrating why top legal talent costs so much per hour.

Someone has to pay for daddies duck habit.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 7:04 am
Is gift wrapping free??

Comment by nieva Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 7:08 am
In a surprising bit of detail, reporters learned Thursday the entire case against Blagojevich hinges on recordings made on a novelty duck phone. Desperate for success, federal authorities early in the investigation approached former federal prosecutor turned undercover agent Jim Thompson with the task of convincing Blagojevich to use it. In recently unsealed memos, Thompson reported to top FBI brass that the only difficulty was teaching Blagojevich which end to talk into.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 7:10 am
Bleeping golden done right

Comment by thechampaignlife Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 7:17 am
“Why a duck?”

Comment by This Guy Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 7:18 am
Disenchanted with the newly-minted Mayor Emanuel’s handling of the flash mob crisis, Quaxelrod defects to the Republicans.

Comment by LJC Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 7:21 am
“I bought this with my pension money”

Comment by I don't want to live in Teabagistan Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 7:33 am
“A woman is an occasional pleasure but a cigar is always a smoke.”

Comment by Easily Entertained Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 7:45 am
What, you’ve never heard of the famous Trojan Duck? $100,645 is a bargain! I beat out Blagojevich, he was stuck using that stupid football to hide his hairbrush.

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 7:47 am
Having found the first sucker to purchase the counterfeit decoy, the State of Illinois only needs to sell 79,592 more to fill its $8 billion deficit.

79,503

Comment by South Side Mike Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:02 am
The fowl odor of success.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:03 am
“It’s a wonderful bird. Very folky,”

Comment by Way Way Down Here Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:10 am
Duck.

Duck.

Goose!

Comment by Cincinnatus Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:10 am
L.L. Bean denim jacket: $95; rare duck decoy: $100,625; George Ryan keeping his big trap shut about all the stuff we worked on together: Priceless.

Comment by just sayin' Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:13 am
“I bought this with Rod’s fees…d*cking golden”

Comment by one day at a time Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:14 am
See? I don’t give a duck anymore.

Comment by ChicagoR Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:17 am
Breaking News - Jim Thompson was indicted today for money laundering. Federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald said it was the most Daffy scheme he had ever seen in all of his years as a federal prosecutor. He was quoted as telling Thompson, “You’re disssthphicable!!!!!”

Comment by Kerfuffle Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:17 am
More wasteful spending.

Comment by Bucko Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:21 am
Decoy Ducky you’re the one…
You make bath time
Lots of fun!

Decoy Ducky I’m awwwwfully fond of you!

Comment by Peter Snarker Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:25 am
It was so nice of that state contractor to get me this present. He said he found it on a special shelf at a gallery.

Comment by Faux Anonymous Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:29 am
How do you cook this… It has to be better than the crow I use to eat

Comment by Bill Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:36 am
“$100,625 for a duck!”, yes but it came in a very nice box

Comment by Tom Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:38 am
100,000 cans of corn were not bought due to this duck snort.

Comment by Hawk Harrelson Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:42 am
I may have failed the AFLAC tryout but I got the Duck !!

Comment by railrat Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:43 am
Wanna guess what’s inside?

Comment by nothin's easy Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:43 am
Big Jim: Well that is a lot of money. OK, go ahead and send me the bill.

Salesman: Umm, Governor Thompson, for $100,625, you get the whole duck.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:45 am
Even the duck, in either an apparent display of embarassament or disgust at the price, turned his head away from the former governor

Comment by Tommydanger Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:45 am
I bought this with my 3rd pension.

or

This was less of a waste of money than defending George Ryan Pro bono

Comment by Wumpus Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:47 am
When you already have the Golden Goose, $100K for a duck is chicken feed.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:48 am
Recession? What Recession?

Comment by BIG R. Ph Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:50 am
This year’s Hallowed Foul award goes to former Illinois Governor Jim Thompson for his efforts to duck media questions and demonstrated skill in using decoys to bemaze his political foes.

Comment by Not So Quick . . . Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:54 am
“If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, looks like a duck, it must be a duck” Except in Illinois where our leaders current and former can be convinced it is a golden egg laying goose.

Comment by frustrated GOP Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:56 am
“Just folks”

Comment by Obamarama Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:56 am
This just goes to show how addictive snorting quack can be.

Comment by Old Shepherd Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:58 am
Former Gov. Jim Thompson receives a wooden duck to remind him of his testimony in the Conrad Black case.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 8:59 am
“Former governor does his best to help the state by paying sales tax on ridiculously overpriced dust collectors.”

Comment by frustrated GOP Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:00 am
Hmmmm, I wonder if it floats, think I’ll give it a toss in the Chicago River.

Comment by 8thRep Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:00 am
I’ve traded in my edifice complex for a fondness for my feather friends.

Comment by WhyMe Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:00 am
Big Jim: Which decoy is more “real” — this duck or the Governor? I’ll tell you this much, at least the duck will be effective.

Comment by unclesam Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:01 am
The duck stops here.

Comment by Sonic Infidel Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:01 am
Duck you!

Comment by Meanderthal Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:05 am
Baby Huey shows off his new toy duck.

Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:05 am
Partners at the law firm of Winston & Strawn were shocked to learn that their expected end of year bonuses were canceled, once again, due to the extravagances of the firm’s flamboyant chief managing partner. Antique Road Show purchases ate into the the firm’s profits for a sixth consecutive year.

Comment by Abandon Ship Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:06 am
Following the Gilbert Gottfried twitter incident, representatives of Aflac have decided to go in a DRASTICALLY different direction with their choice of former Governor Jim Thompson as the new voice of the Aflac duck.

Comment by Jimmy CrackCorn Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:06 am
Former Governor Rod Blagovich was quoted as saying about Former Governor Thompson’s purchase of a collectible duck decoy.

Wow, you know the number of suits you can buy for that or ties?

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:06 am
Why $100,625 for a decoy duck? Seller, US Dept of Defense.

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:10 am
I’m spending my pension money so you dont have too

Comment by foster brooks Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:11 am
Preeners unite.

Comment by Former Titan Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:13 am
“I was the longest serving Governor in Illinois history and all I got was this stupid duck.”

Comment by The Dood Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:16 am
What unfunded pension liabilities?

Oh…

Did you see my duck?

Comment by JL Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:18 am
The duck stops here.

Comment by Bill Cameron Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:19 am
“Did you know that time on the auction magically stopped for a few minutes so I could come up with the money to buy this duck?”

Comment by Boone Logan Square Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:20 am
Quack is not just an inner city problem.

Comment by walter sobchak Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:25 am
So that’s what two in the bush are worth.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:30 am
‘Woodcarver’s Investments’ coming to PBS this Fall.

Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:30 am
In this, the crowning achievement of my political career, I leave you with this parting wisdom. ‘Quack.’

Comment by Apple Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:33 am
Down the Slide , With a Duck !

Comment by x ace Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:42 am
“I’d like to thank the Academy…”

Comment by Cincinnatus Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:46 am
some of these quips are priceless….

“Known for his collection of fine antiquties, former Gov. Thompson generously donates a rare decoy duck to help cover roof repairs at the Dana-Thomas House. Thanks Governor, in these hard times, for giving a duck.”

Comment by anonymoose Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:50 am
So yeah, I went out partying with Willie Nelson after his Sparta show and next thing you know I own a $100,000 duck. No idea what happened. Reminds me of hthe time I briefly became the owner of the Farnsworth House.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:51 am
This duck is a better investment than the GOP Remap!

Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:52 am
As duck hunters will, he later regaled everyone with the old Duck Sausage joke.

Comment by Bemused Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:52 am
Madigan’s neck is gonna look like this decoy when I get done with him.

Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 9:53 am
If I can get six more of these ducks, I’ll trade them all for a lamp!

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 10:00 am
What the duck did I buy!

Comment by Nuance Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 10:06 am
This decoy is ducking golden!

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 10:14 am
“I’ve got this thing and it’s ducking golden, and, uh, uh, I’m just not giving it up for duckin’ nothing. I’m not gonna do it. And, and I can always use it. I can parachute me there.”

Comment by insert witty name here Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 10:22 am
Big Jim: “If you’ve heard the story of how I bought this duck before, don’t stop me, because I’d like to hear it again.”

Comment by Easily Entertained Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 10:28 am
“Three (maybe four) ex-Governor’s walked into a prison, Thompson ducked.”

Comment by Quid Pro Quota Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 10:32 am
This is going to make my duck collection pretty impressive, but not as impressive as my collection of friends and supporters still working for the state.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 10:38 am
“I purchased this as a good luck charm for the Illinois Republican Party. When I saw this for sale, I quickly realized that it’s the most effective possible use of the money for reviving the party!”

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 10:39 am
I could be wrong, it looks like a Perdew decoy made in Henry, IL.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 10:42 am
“I told you, in Illinois Politics you ALWAYS have to watch your behind”

Comment by Grumblinman Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 10:45 am
A successful Illinois Republican knows when to duck.

Comment by ZC Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 10:49 am
Having taken care of himself while in office and afterwards, former Governor Jim Thompson focuses on feathering someone else’s nest for a change.

Comment by South Side Mike Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 10:53 am
Big Bill in retirement displays his prize duck, Khartoum. “Madigan tried, but I was there.”

Comment by ZC Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 10:57 am
Everything’s just Ducky because I’m NOT the Governor who’s in jail!

Comment by Mike Huntoon Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 10:57 am
So the duck says “This guy pays $100 grand for me. I think everything will be ok, but when I turn my back to say goodbye to my family, he then grabs me by the throat! Then this other guy starts teasing me by tickling my underbelly. Then to top it off, the first guy sticks his fingers up my you know what. They are laughing and smiling. I hear them say they learned all this in someplace called Springfield. Now I am worried. I think they have plans to make duck sausage out of me. But they forgot I am a decoy. I was just floating in the pond at Madigan’s House.”

Comment by Not What You Think Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 10:58 am
I traded my coveted major award leg lamp for this?

Comment by Wondering if Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 10:59 am
Demonstrating the type of fiscal discipline Illinois governors are known for, Jim Thompson buys an old wooden duck for over $100,000.

Comment by Blue Dog Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 10:59 am
After all these years, Citizen Thompson finally locates his lost childhood toy “Roseduck”.

Comment by D.P. Gumby Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:00 am
A happy seller, an antique loon, and a duck decoy.

Comment by Ghost of John Brown Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:00 am
Now all I need is an orange, and I got dinner!

Comment by Cincinnatus Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:04 am
I sold my state for my collectibles, but boy, was it worth it. Look at this beauty!

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:09 am
Illinois Republicans continue to pass the duck no matter the price.

Comment by Jake From Elwood Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:14 am
“I don’t have a Senate seat, but I’ve got this rare “backwards head” duck decoy. At 100 large, it’s bleeping golden, and I’m not giving it up for nothing!”

Comment by Hunterdon Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:14 am
I think LJC is the winner. And might I remind all of you that the pun is considered the lowest form of humor?

Comment by soccermom Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:21 am
$100k? Shoot that’s nothing. You should of seen what I paid for the wooden fish!

Comment by WazUp Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:23 am
They say pets resemble their owners.

Comment by PaGo Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:25 am
Big Jim always loved “My Fair Lady” but never heard the lyrics clearly. Here he is singing:
“With a little bit of duck…with a little bit of duck…With a little bit of duck you’ll give right in.”

Comment by Lisle Mike Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:25 am
“So Billy Bob Thornton, Gov. Thompson and a duck walk into a bar….”

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:34 am
Quaxelrod switches parties. Every duck has his price.

Comment by Boone Logan Square Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:38 am
I say “Boy, is that one weird duck.”

Big Jim says “It sure is.”

I say “I was talking to the duck.”

Comment by Justice Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:40 am
Big Jim: “is this the actual duck phone that those Jersey Shore kids used?”

Comment by NeveroddoreveN Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:44 am
A local man poses with two wooden figures that have been kept in the attic for a long time.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:46 am
“What do you mean this duck doesn’t dance? What the heck did I just pay for then?”

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:48 am
“After the pro-bono Ryan defense, I couldn’t afford the Golden Goose, so a wooden duck…”

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:53 am
“I’m here today to announcement that I have decided to endorse this rare Ellison decoy as the Republican nominee for Governor in 2014.”

Comment by tada Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:54 am
The Duck Family (left to right)

Scrooge, Donald, Daffy

Comment by Cincinnatus Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:56 am
Former Gov. Thompson displays the newest member of the Combine.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 11:57 am
The cost of entry into elite duck hunting circles is very high. So high I think we need to lower their tax rates.

Comment by vole Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 12:05 pm
Jim Thompson accepts the famous Republican “What the Duck!” award with it’s head looking backwards to the glory days….

Comment by Lisle Mike Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 12:14 pm
This reminds me on how Ducky a Lame Duck General Assembly can be.

Comment by 3rd Generation Chicago Native Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 12:21 pm
The co-chair of Rod Blagojveich’s transition team sent a message of support to Blagojevich prior to Blagojevich’s recent cross-examination, telling Rod to duck all incoming questions from prosecutor Reid Schar.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 12:46 pm
$100,000?! Just put it on his bill.

Comment by hammer Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 1:08 pm
Behind the Scenes at “American Pickers.” Antique duck picked for $25. Sold for $100,625. Profit $100,600.

Comment by Redbird Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 1:14 pm
A Duck, a Schmuck, and a Mucket-Muck

Comment by SAP Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 1:48 pm
If only the duck could talk

Comment by Spring Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 2:00 pm
I dunno what happened. I was polising it and out popped this big guy in a blue jacket.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 2:12 pm
Like A Boss

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 2:58 pm
Without reading the story I would guess that the decoy is a “Mason.” Which are very rare decoys, especially on that is in a preening posture such as this mallard hen is in. This wont win the contest, but I would think my extensive knowledge of duck decoys and species should count for something.

Comment by John A Logan Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 3:21 pm
Human factors involves the study of all aspects of the way humans relate to the world around them, with the aim of improving operational performance, safety, through life costs and/or adoption through improvement in the experience of the end user.

Here is an example of what a mere $100,625 investment in Research produces. Several chapters of an operations manual were recently condensed into one visual that effectively conveys a single word in response to the question:

“What should one do when someone else yells ‘INCOMING!!!’ outside the context of mail call?”

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 3:35 pm
Cheaper than a Senate Seat!

Comment by Wonder..... Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 4:51 pm
What a loon!

Comment by CLJ Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 4:52 pm
Say the magic woid…

Comment by Robo Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 5:06 pm
It’s not the duck, it’s the access.

Comment by KeepSmiling Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 5:14 pm
JRT: “This’ll make a great ashtray!”

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 5:21 pm
AFLACK!!!!!!

Comment by Ain't No Justice Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 5:57 pm
Where is Harpo? We are ready for duck soup!

Comment by waitress practing politics... Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 6:52 pm
You’ve gotta be ducking me.

Comment by Jimbo Thursday, Jun 16, 11 @ 10:26 pm