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* Rep. Kate Cloonen sang the National Anthem today on the House floor...
Pretty good stuff.
Cloonen is wearing the jacket and the hat because she’s a freshman presenting her first bill. The jacket is a “tradition” for first bills. The stovepipe hat was added this year.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 1:41 pm
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Isn’t this sort of a microcosm of the ILGA for the past few years? Relishing in the side shows while ignoring the critical problems.
Comment by Empty Chair Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 1:52 pm
what a great lady! She brings class to the General Assembly.
Comment by Tom Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 1:53 pm
Awesome!
Comment by phocion Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 1:56 pm
I second the emotion put forth by empty chair. This won’t be a popular comment, but I have always thought the red jacket, top hat insanity is a tradition that is beneath the chamber, and adds to the laughing stock status that Illinois has carried for the better part of the last 15 years.
Comment by John A Logan Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 1:57 pm
Makes me miss the old David Phelps happy birthday renditions.
Comment by More Courage Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 1:57 pm
I think she should sing the National Anthem again to start the annual softball game. I know there are serious issues, but patriotic fun doesn’t hurt.
Comment by Softball Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 2:00 pm
=== I know there are serious issues===
You are mistaking her for somebody else.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 2:03 pm
David Phelps could belt out a tune.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 2:10 pm
I’ve asked around and many other state assemblies have similar rights of initiation. In Maryland your own party all vote against you and then someone complains that there was a problem with the buttons and ask for all them switched over.
It’s a right of passage. Is it silly? Sure. Is it harmful? Hardly.
What makes me happy about it is the bipartisan nature of the questioning.
Comment by Anonish Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 2:11 pm
===What makes me happy about it is the bipartisan nature of the questioning. ===
Exactly.
Yeah, it may be goofy, but those most worried about it should probably confine themselves to substantive issues and take a breath.
More like this, please.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 2:13 pm
good for her! first bill is a big deal and she showed she can take it. by the way, what was her bill?
Comment by Susiejones Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 2:26 pm
*I second the emotion put forth by empty chair. This won’t be a popular comment, but I have always thought the red jacket, top hat insanity is a tradition that is beneath the chamber, and adds to the laughing stock status that Illinois has carried for the better part of the last 15 years.*
Moments like this one are good. They are healthy. They humanize folks in a world where we are very quick to put people in their box and think we know them because of the voting record. When tough negotiations come around, and people are digging in their heels, we want them to remember moments like this so they can get through the rough spots. It is a good thing.
Comment by Montrose Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 2:29 pm
Nice rendition! Some of the other persons in the chamber were being a little disrespectful during the anthem if you ask me, but it’s a Friday so I will let it slide…
Comment by Jake From Elwood Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 2:31 pm
One of the best first bill presentations I can remember. She took all the “hazing” like a champ. Very impressive.
Comment by Jaded Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 2:32 pm
She sang a couple of versus, which is really all anyone knows anyway, to “Illinois” too. Pretty good stuff.
Comment by Jaded Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 2:36 pm
Bipartisanship begins with these more social efforts. As long as first bill rituals continue, I have hope.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 2:40 pm
Hey Chair, can I come to your work location and make sure you spend 100% of your time working on the tough issues? I don’t want you slacking off when there is work to be done.
Members and staff spend hours in commitee hearings, meetings and behind the scenes work on issues. The GA is at times a pressure cooker, let them blow off some steam. Lighten up.
Comment by Give Me A Break Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 2:48 pm
The new representative has some talent! And that room’s acoustics could do with more singing.
Any chance Robin Zander’s contemplating a run next cycle?
Comment by Boone Logan Square Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 2:51 pm
Montrose wrote:
**When tough negotiations come around, and people are digging in their heels, we want them to remember moments like this so they can get through the rough spots.**
When was the last time legislators “dug in their heels?” When was the last “rough spot” they didn’t give up on? The income tax, when half were on their way out and were promised jobs? So many people blame inactivity on pensions/budget/etc on the part of the Governor and Leaders, but no one even pauses to think that many rank-and-file legislators on both sides of the aisle aren’t too serious about making tough decisions. They’d rather just keep the wheel rolling along. Why reinvent it if it’s a fun ride?
I don’t mean to be a buzzkill, but this job shouldn’t be too fun. It shouldn’t be just about photo-ops and flags and sitting in the Chair. Many in this state aren’t having as jolly of a time as the legislators are. And I’m no anti-government tea partier.
It may be a larger problem with “the establishment” (media, state employees, Springfield culture, etc) that loves this and other traditions for a variety of reasons. Complaining about the establishment on this blog is sure to make me a popular fellow, but I’ll go for it anyway.
Comment by Empty Chair Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 3:32 pm
===It shouldn’t be just about photo-ops and flags and sitting in the Chair.===
Who said that? Where? Anywhere? Got a link?
You take a few moments of levity and comity and translate that into around the clock behavior.
Ridiculous.
Take a freaking breath.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 3:35 pm
Fair point. I may have been over the top on that. I only mean to say that the public has a greater distrust of government at all levels than at any time in history. Perhaps that has something to do with seeing images of their leaders walking in parades and singing the national anthem right next to headlines highlighting significant problems.
I guess I’m just not a big fan of the imagery.
Comment by Empty Chair Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 3:50 pm
Empty, you must be a real joy to work with/for.
Sheesh.
Imagine what was done in the GA before the internet. I’ll be those guys back in the 20s and 30s were all business, no fun.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 4:05 pm
Looks like she enjoyed a well-deserved break for a little fun in an otherwise stressful life these days as an Illinois Legislator–happy to see it + it’s good to see what’s apparently a light-hearted, old tradition in the Capitol continue…!
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 4:52 pm
I love this type of jocularity. It makes for a more cohesive bunch. Remember, our founding fathers had much greater differences between them, but the founders forged something great. Part of the reason why is they drank and had fun together. In these tough times, I think we have all forgotten to have fun. So good for the House.
Comment by Cuban Pilot Friday, Mar 15, 13 @ 6:07 pm