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Reader comments closed for the weekend and a shout-out to the new intern

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* Yeah, I know it’s only Thursday, but the GA is gone for the week and I have to go out of town tonight and didn’t think I’d be able to post tomorrow. I’ll be back Monday. Not much happened Thursday anyway, except for the Senate passing the legislative scholarship ban. And this…

Chicago Teacher’s Union President Karen Lewis and other union leaders were reportedly in Springfield, Illinois Wednesday meeting with Senate President John Cullerton and Speaker of the House Michael Madigan in what’s been called a long meeting, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Lawmakers wanted an update on how negotiations with the City of Chicago are going. They’ve expressed concerned a teacher’s strike may happen.

Sources tell Ward Room that Mayor Rahm Emanuel is working furiously behind the scenes and would like to amend the new SB7 bill - as the teachers union sees it - changing the rules at mid stream on a strike authorization vote.

Emanuel reportedly wants the rules to be more specific, and lawmakers wanted to hear directly from the union.

* I’ve known Owen Irwin most of his life. He’s Tom Irwin’s son. Tom is, of course, Springfield’s legendary singer-songwriter and the music writer for the Illinois Times. He’s also one of my oldest Springfield friends.

A month or so ago, Owen asked if I could meet for dinner and get some advice about his future. He graduated summa cum laude from Bradley University with a degree in Economics. He’s since been doing some day-trading, but lately he decided he really wanted to try his hand at politics.

So, we talked for a long time about various options and jobs he could apply for. Finally, it occurred to me that maybe what Owen needed to do first was see if he even liked real politics up close and personal. So I asked if he’d care to intern for me in May. He said he’d love to and he started Wednesday afternoon. Within a half an hour he’d met Speaker Madigan and Leader Cross and then attended a big reception at the governor’s mansion. He says he had a great time. I believe him.

* Now that I have an intern again, we’re going to revive “Morning Shorts” next week sometime. You’ll also be seeing him around the Statehouse. Be kind, please. He’s not only my intern, he’s one of the best guitarists in town. Here he is on the left. Check out the windmill, man…

The kid can play.

* Owen sat in with his dad Wednesday night at the Butternut Hut. I asked him yesterday if he’d be cool with doing that every Wednesday evening during May and he said he would. So, depending on the session schedule and Owen’s availability, we may have a weekly late night gathering for Capitol Fax types this month. Bonus!

Anyway, I thought you’d like to know.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 3, 12 @ 4:50 pm

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