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* Doc Davidson has passed away…

Former state Sen. John Davidson, R-Springfield, who served in the Statehouse for 20 years, has died. He was 87. […]

Davidson was chairman of the Sangamon County Board before going to the Senate, where he served from 1973 to 1993. He was a chiropractic physician and a Navy Air Corps veteran of World War II.

Man, he was a true character. Old school. Had his legislative office in the same building as his chiropractic office. He did more for chiropractors in this state than just about anybody. He also got a whole lot of people jobs through his Republican patronage network. Like I said. Old school.

* Meanwhile, I told subscribers about this Monday morning…

Sen. John Sullivan plans to have surgery this week to manage a rare but treatable form of cancer.

“It’s a personal and private issue, and yet because I’m a public official I just thought it was important that I let my constituents know what’s going on,” Sullivan said.

Four years ago Sullivan had a small growth removed from his lower abdomen as an outpatient procedure. Recently, his doctor observed a recurrence.

“I am scheduled to undergo a surgical procedure this week and will be away from my full-time duties for two or three weeks,” Sullivan said.

But I thought these two responses were particularly classy…

State Senate candidate Randy Frese issued the following statement regarding Sen. John Sullivan’s announcement that he’s having cancer surgery.

“My family and I are praying for John and his family as they deal with this difficult time,” Frese said. “I wish him a complete and speedy recovery.”

Frese echoed Sullivan’s commitment to continuing his campaign. “I look forward to news that his treatment was completely successful and his return to work.”

The following statement is from the Quincy Tea Party:

On behalf of its members, the Board of Directors of Quincy Tea Party would like to express our concern and wishes for a quick recovery for Senator John Sullivan as he battles his illness, announced today. We wish him and his family the best, and will be praying for a positive outcome to this challenge. We look forward to seeing Senator Sullivan back out and on the campaign trail, and discussing the issues important to our congressional district.

* Best wishes to the Cardinal…

Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago will work with his doctors to determine a course of treatment after test results showed cancerous cells in his kidney and in a nodule removed from his liver.

The archdiocese made the announcement Aug. 17. The cardinal received the results after undergoing a procedure Aug. 15 at Loyola University Medical Center.

After resting at home over the weekend, Cardinal George went on retreat for a week.

“We have no further information at this time,” the archdiocese said.

* And let’s hope this situation improves…

After visiting Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. at the Mayo Clinic, Rep. Dennis Kucinich told me Tuesday that he made the trip because “it’s about being there for a friend who is obviously in a fragile condition and who needs love and support.”

Jackson is “emotionally fragile,” Kucinich said.

Kucinich, an Ohio Democrat, said he talked for hours with Jackson over last Friday and Saturday morning about diet and nutrition — Kucinich himself is a vegan — and Jackson’s path back to health.

Last week, Jackson (who has been absent from Congress since June 10) was diagnosed with a bipolar disorder and depression. Mayo said in a statement that the condition was connected to bariatric surgery Jackson had in 2004, “specifically a duodenal switch. This type of surgery is increasingly common in the U.S. and can change how the body absorbs food, liquids, vitamins, nutrients and medications.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 22, 12 @ 1:44 pm

Comments

Until he moved to a retirement home last year, Doc was a neighbor (as were a few other politicans up and down the street). He’ll be missed.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Aug 22, 12 @ 1:56 pm
If you knew Doc, you knew he was an incredibly powerful personality, and an top-notch guy. He was a good friend, mentor, and neighbor. I’m saddened by the news.

Comment by In absentia Wednesday, Aug 22, 12 @ 2:08 pm
Doc was one of the more memorable ones. Many a legislator missed the adjustments he would give them in the Capitol nurse’s station when he retired.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Aug 22, 12 @ 2:08 pm
“Doc” was one of a kind. For those of us on the other side of the political fence, he was a pain because you could never beat him, he had a great reputation and was loved. And Rich, you are correct, his abiity to find a state job for the local GOP was beyond belief. And he coud turn those state workers into a campaign team at moment’s notice. Prayers to his family and Rest in Peace Doc.

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Aug 22, 12 @ 2:11 pm
Will miss him….God’s speed and condolences to his family.

Comment by LINK Wednesday, Aug 22, 12 @ 2:13 pm
Do you think the Quincy tea party knows the difference between a State Senate District, and a Congressional district?

Comment by Jaded Wednesday, Aug 22, 12 @ 2:17 pm
The Frese campaign is not all that classy. They are still running their nasty ads while John is out of commission!

Comment by Shakespeare Wednesday, Aug 22, 12 @ 2:35 pm
for all who suffer, we pray to the lord.

Comment by amalia Wednesday, Aug 22, 12 @ 2:45 pm
Doc Davidson was a gentleman, a good friend and a loyal and competent politician. His friends were many, his detractors few, and his belief in the goodness of people and government’s role in making life better was founded in a sincere religious faith.

Comment by Phil Bradley Wednesday, Aug 22, 12 @ 2:54 pm
===They are still running their nasty ads ===

Those are Adam A’s ads.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 22, 12 @ 3:08 pm
I recently saw Sen. Davidson at my sister’s-in-law funeral in April and he looked thin but so strong. I have admired his work ethic and his friendship for many years. I’m deeply saddened by his passing. He will truly be missed by so many.

Comment by Interested Observer Wednesday, Aug 22, 12 @ 3:57 pm
Nasty ads? Please. Sullivan is a good guy and everyone in West-Central Illinois wishes him a speedy recovery, but he’s got some ’splainin’ to do once he gets better. Lord knows the weak sauce Quincy media ain’t gonna do it.

Comment by John Wood Wednesday, Aug 22, 12 @ 4:29 pm
Doc said he was the only chiropractor with admitting privileges at local hospitals.

Comment by Langhorne Wednesday, Aug 22, 12 @ 6:09 pm
When I came up in Springfield, Doc and Don were the guys you had to see to get a job. Dixon was still a big swinging thing. So was Paul Simon, in his way. Madigan, too. But Doc and Don, and a guy named Cellini, ran the show for Big Jim and Edgar when it came to patronage.

To say Doc was old school is an understatement.

As a kid, I’d pop a Bud late at night in the old Blue Room with Joe Harris and Luke while Bill O’Connell, Doc and Monroe Flinn would tell stories about the old days that would curl your toes and make Patrick Fitzgerald plotz.

That, my friends, was an education.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 22, 12 @ 9:38 pm
lol Things they don’t teach you in college, word?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 23, 12 @ 12:52 am