Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

A new record

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Illinois

* According to statistics generated by my web hosting company using Apache log files, we reached a milestone last month. CapitolFax.com had nearly 5 million page views in the month of May (not including spiders, spambots, etc). That’s more than double what it was in May of 2012.

I don’t usually share this sort of data because my advertising sales are based on the target audience, not the quantity of clicks. But that’s a pretty darned amazing stat and I figured you ought to know. Also, the number of unique IP addresses using this site in May grew by more than 57 percent compared to the same month two years ago.

* More importantly (for advertising purposes), a check of the top IP addresses found that at least 20 percent of those May page views - or at least a million - came from within the Capitol Complex, which is my target audience during session. That’s about 50,000 Statehouse/Stratton Building-area page views per session day. And that doesn’t count all the cell phones, etc. which aren’t connected to the LIS wi-fi system.

Not bad for a little state politics website, eh?

* Anyway, thanks so much to all you subscribers and readers out there. And thanks to the commenters who truly help make this site live and breathe. And many, many thanks to the advertisers who allow me to keep this little monster of a website going strong.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 2:41 pm

Comments

– (not including spiders, etc).–S

Spider, Paulie, Carlo, won’t see them no more.

Congratulations, dude.

Has the Trib asked you to make a bid yet?

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 2:43 pm
I was saving this for tomorrow’s QOTD. You must have had a dozen ads on the site last week. Cha-ching! Congrats Rich, the stats only confirm what I’ve believed forever, this is the premiere political blog in Illinois.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 2:44 pm
===You must have had a dozen ads===

8.

There’s a limit on the number of ads which can appear here. Too many and messages get lost and the site loses its effectiveness as an ad vehicle. I could’ve sold at least three or four more last month if we hadn’t hit our limit. Not sure what to do about that “problem.”

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 2:47 pm
Congrats! You deserve it—Cap Fax is a terrific site!
I was out of touch most of the month so you were minus my 22 clicks for the month.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 2:48 pm
Just think of all the dog treats and “doggie spa days” we are all funding.

Makes me proud to say I knew Rich which he was just one of the great unwashed sitting in the little press area of D-1 watching Mary Lou Cowlishaw hold court when she chaired Elem. & Secondary Education for the two years Lee ran the House. See Rich, we are both getting old.

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 2:50 pm
===Not sure what to do about that “problem.”===

Maybe if you got rid of the White Sox news feed there’d be more room?

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 2:50 pm
Many congratulations.

This place is the “Blog of Record” for Illinois Politics. Period, end of story. That speaks volumes to all you created.

It’s one thing to create the ultimate Illinois Political Blog, it’s another to also make it the ultimate Illinois political community.

It lives and breathes, every day.

Thanks for having an unbeatable political hangout.

Sam/Frank

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 2:52 pm
Rich, congrats to you. I hardly ever post but do enjoy lurking on your site for information regarding Illinois politics.

Comment by No Longer A Lurker Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 2:52 pm
We do what we can. And obviously so do you. Nice work.

Comment by A guy... Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 2:52 pm
Congratulations! You’re a huge success and you earned every bit of it.

The White Sox news feed is the only one I always look for. Go Sox!

Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 2:54 pm
Sorry, I didn’t mean to visit that often.
end/snark

Congratulations! This proves that you are the go to source for Spfld Info.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 3:01 pm
Well was Oscar in the picture last year?

If not, there is your answer…

Comment by OneMan Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 3:03 pm
That should totally validate this blog format Rich, please don’t try to “update” again !!

Congrats and thanks as always for your great work.

Comment by siriusly Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 3:06 pm
Oh crap - I feel my client’s ad rates going up already.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 3:12 pm
Errr, I mean, Congratulations on the well-deserved success Rich!

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 3:13 pm
Congratulations Rich, this is a great website without bias and accurate reporting. The Tribune and Sun-Times should be taking notes.

In 2012 when Obama said you didn’t build that, he was wrong!

Comment by Almost the Weekend Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 3:13 pm
Congrats!

==That should totally validate this blog format Rich, please don’t try to “update” again !!==

But the ad men say we always need shiny new things to keep us coming!

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 3:14 pm
===I feel my client’s ad rates going up already===

Actually, you just gave me an idea. Maybe May ad rates should be higher for those who don’t advertise in other months.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 3:16 pm
“I could’ve sold at least three or four more last month if we hadn’t hit our limit. Not sure what to do about that ‘problem.’”

Um, time to raise your rates!

Comment by Concerned Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 3:18 pm
Rich, congratulations are in order. you’ve built a real powerhouse here.

Comment by jim Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 3:18 pm
“Congratulations. I knew the record would stand until it was broken. ” ( Yogi Berra )

Comment by x ace Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 3:23 pm
Rich, congratulations!

This is a such a great site and community. This is a place where ideas flow freely, and many people and views are welcome, as long as they respect the rules and try to contribute. That’s what makes it so special, and so different, the diversity.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 3:28 pm
Congrats Rich!

Comment by Bring Back Boone's Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 3:37 pm
I talk about this site all the time to civilians who are not into the political scene but who ask which site they should frequent if they want to know something about some political issue of the day. You not only provide the information, but you attract very interesting people who comment and the dialogue is always informative and instructive. congrats on the big number.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 3:38 pm
Congratulations. To me the best testimony to your success is how the fellow posters here “chastise” the clueless and / or sock puppets before they get deleted.

Rich, if you really want to make some serious money, figure out how to put that in a bottle and sell it newspaper comment sections …

Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 3:41 pm
It’s such a simple concept. Provide your readers with content they actually want and, not only will they come to your site, but they’ll pay you for the privilege. I cannot understand how or why newspapers continue to utterly reject that reality, Who gives a flying bleep about D304s new green cleaning policy?

Comment by Jeff Ward Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 3:50 pm
47th Ward, not the answer. We aren’t trying to put our Bullpens in the basement. Abreu back tonight!

Congrats Rich. I don’t know of any other state that you can get all of the news all of the time. Good Job!

Comment by 3rd Generation Chicago Native Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 4:18 pm
The best argument for why Cap Fax is both relevant and fun to read is that Rich and his network are close to the action and actually speak to the people who run the Statehouse. Nothing against the IPI or Illinois Mirror or Think Progress or HuffPo but a newsletter and website run by a guy who actually is at the place where decisions are being made and news and events are happening is helpful and allows those not immediately connected to the Statehouse and the Governor’s Mansion to know what is happening in real time.

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 4:20 pm
Congrats!

Comment by Keep it Simple Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 4:29 pm
Well deserved Kudos, Rich. I’ve looked for something similar in other states, but what I’ve found pales in comparison to what you put out here.

Too bad the other “media” haven’t figured out what you have….find out what info people need and want, add a bit of humor and a bit of “family” through comments, and the world will beat a path to your door.

Since the Sun Times syndicate dropped comments on stories, they’re about as much fun as “Budapest!”

Comment by Arizona Bob Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 4:45 pm
Just curious, Rich. How many paid employees do you have, and when do they get to vote on unionizing?LOL

Comment by Arizona Bob Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 4:47 pm
Amazing stats. Well deserved. Excellent reporting by rich, backed up by knowledgeable and insightful comments from people who are there, or have been there. Commenters may argue points of view, but the arguments are sound.

I really enjoy the way drive by comments, and sock puppetry gets shut down.

Comment by Langhorne Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 4:52 pm
Congrats, that is great!

Comment by Wally Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 4:54 pm
Proud Momma and your Grandma would be proud!

Comment by Rich's Mom Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 5:19 pm
Wow. Congrats!

No better place to be for information, discussion, and best of all, hearty fellowship, all wrapped around our beloved Illinois and its unique political culture.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 5:24 pm
It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it — and you do it very well.

There were sessions when I got out of town as it ended because I could not stand to even see the Capitol Dome. I know some years you are disgusted as I was, but you contain it well - better than I could in your shoes.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 5:24 pm
I certainly am educated every time I pop in here for a look.. Congrats to you Rich, and thanks!

Comment by Mr. Big Trouble Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 5:26 pm
Congrats! I’ve told people at work if they want to keep up with changes in pensions and school related information, they need to check Capitol Fax daily.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 5:32 pm
Well done, Rich. Congratulations! Appreciate you keeping us all better informed.

“Movin on up…”

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 6:00 pm
Rich,

As an advertiser who does both one offs and multi-months, it’s not a bad idea. I’ll reach out to you via email on this - it might be time to move past the one size fits all model, without overcomplicating it.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 6:43 pm
Yeah - but how many clicks are OW’s?

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 7:00 pm
===Yeah - but how many clicks are OW’s?===

In all of May, right?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 7:05 pm
Congrats, Rich, and thanks for crafting a politcs-oriented blog that is consistently relevant and thoughtful.

Comment by Steve Downstate Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 9:32 pm
Congrats Rich, you earned it. I remember the early days of this blog. You’ve come a long way and outlasted a lot of wannabe political bloggers, including myself, to make this one of the best state politic blogs in all the land.

Comment by Jeff Trigg Monday, Jun 2, 14 @ 9:42 pm
We are SO VERY PROUD of you Rich! You deserve all the accolades! You work(ed) hard and did this yourself! Not only are you so damn smart and savvy about politics and life, but you’re one of the greatest people we have known. True blue friend, big heart of gold and a great character with great character! We admire you so much and are proud to have known you since the early lean years at Sangamon State and Commie Nights at Bruce’s Tavern. We did have some fun in Springfield in the 1980’s, didn’t we? And you were a big part of it. Congratulations on doing it your way! You rock Rich! Keep on keepin’ on!

Comment by Val and Dave Tuesday, Jun 3, 14 @ 12:47 am
Some report the facts as they know them. You report the facts as they are.

You have built a base of knowledgeable commenters with great insight to not only what has happened, but how it happened and what we can look forward to in the near and distant future.

A great site, a well informed, and a trusted and distinguished narrator. You are the greatest Rich! Don’t let up!

Comment by Sunshine Tuesday, Jun 3, 14 @ 8:24 am
congrats Rich, it’s beyond impressive. you’re the Mark Zuckerberg of online Illinois politics.

Comment by PoolGuy Tuesday, Jun 3, 14 @ 9:24 am
Way to go, Rich! Fabulous development for Cap Fax and a testament to all of your hard work and interesting, thought-provoking articles cited, as well as other pieces of information (e.g. Qs ot Day, inCLUDing the occasionally, fun SPORTS banter that goes on!), photos, Caption Contests etc.–let alone your own insightful input/opinions regularly inserted into the Blog.

Thanks for sharing this terrific news with everybody, and although the start of this particular week has been challenging for mySELF to comment much, whenever I do I often thoroughly enjoy the experience, learn much, and, to be honest, once in a blue moon even realize something’s someone’s said may really get my dander up, which sometimes causes me even more so to realize how strongly I may actually feel about the nature/content of some subject or issue referenced to, or another’s comment(s) about it! And, yet, isn’t that what public discourse among the Citizenry in a Free Society should be all about…!?

Thanks to Capitol Fax Blog, we Illinoisans who care enough to look in–and all of the other welcome visitors–can appreciate such a forum in which to state our opinions, or just plain communicate something, in a serious way, or sometimes just for kicks and giggles in a more LIGHThearted fashion! Thanks for all you do to make it happen and God bless you and yours!

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Tuesday, Jun 3, 14 @ 7:19 pm