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* Illinois Public Radio…
Illinois now has an official state vegetable: corn.
Gov. Bruce Rauner signed it into law today without fanfare.
However, he’s scheduled to attend an annual sweet corn festival this evening in Chatham, a suburb of Springfield. Local elementary school students had promoted making sweet corn the state vegetable as a class project.
* Not everyone was amused…
Ugh. Families are struggling to make ends meet, but don't worry, we now have a state vegetable! #twill #comeon @ashmo217 @WCIA3Drew
— Cynthia Bruno (@WCIA3Cynthia) July 17, 2015
* The back story…
A class of fourth-graders in central Illinois was learning about state symbols when students stumbled upon a puzzling question: Why does Illinois have a state fruit but no state vegetable?
The students at Chatham Elementary School, south of Springfield, could not abide the oversight.
“Vegetables are just as important as fruit,” was how one of the students, Halena Stuart, put it.
So, the 9-year-olds turned to technology. They had a video chat with eighth-graders at Taylorville Junior High who taught them how a bill becomes a law. Then they used online surveys to poll students about which vegetable ought to be accorded the honor.
And lo and behold, they got a state senator, Plainview Republican Sam McCann, to introduce a bill this month to designate sweet corn Illinois’ vegetable of choice. (The state fruit is the Goldrush apple).
* The governor even did some shucking yesterday…
Also in attendance, Governor Bruce Rauner and his wife Diana. The governor helping to make this year’s festival even more special by signing a bill today making sweet corn Illinois’ official state vegetable.
The first couple also took part in shucking corn. The Chatham Sweet Corn Festival runs Friday through Saturday.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 9:05 am
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Is Cynthia Bruno going to take that attitude to the Urbana Sweetcorn Festival August 28 and 29?
Comment by LizPhairTax Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 9:14 am
The GA needs something to keep busy while Madigan and Rauner feud. /s
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 9:16 am
Normally I would agree with Cynthia but given how this was driven by kids, I’d say lighten up. That said, it’s funny that the only thing we seem capable of doing are creating a state vegetable and making sure happy hour returns. On second though, yup, that’s about right.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 9:17 am
I wonder what the state rodent is.
Comment by Ahoy! Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 9:17 am
I’m pretty certain Channel 3 covered te story of the kids initially pushing to make this happen months ago. So it was ok and a feel good “Illinois Homepage” story then, but when the Governor takes two minutes to sign something leslgislators debated months ago and kids lobbied for (while learning about the process), suddenly it’s a terrible thing. Way to show your true biased colors, Cynthia
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 9:19 am
Lighten up, Cynthia.
To borrow from Guy Clark, there’s only three things in this world you can’t buy: true love, homegrown tomatoes and Illinois sweet corn.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 9:20 am
This process was started during the last General Assembly. Since this is a site that is mostly frequented by insiders, we should all appreciate legislators and staffers being able to multitask and work on things other than the budget. It also slays me that so many people who have been around for a while seem flummoxed that such bills are passed and in the hopper well before the budget process even begins. Or maybe I should couch my surprise…
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 9:22 am
@ Ahoy! -
Sadly, we do not have a State Rodent. We do, however, have a State Amphibian, the Eastern Tiger Salamander. I’m shocked they couldn’t find a Midwestern Salamander.
Comment by JoanP Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 9:27 am
Great to see the GA fiddle while Rome burns.
Also, I prefer zucchini.
Comment by Collinsville Kevin Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 9:34 am
Heck, I thought Rauner was the state vegetable…
Comment by Peregrine48 Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 9:37 am
Makes sense - a Governor and General Assembly that can’t pass a budget do agree to change corn from a grain to a vegetable. Only in Illinois!
Comment by Motambe Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 9:45 am
We have a state fruit? What’s left to ’statify’?
Comment by Not quite a majority Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 9:47 am
I love corn but why’d our state vegetable hafta be the least nutritious of all vegetables?
Comment by Politix Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 9:49 am
“I wonder what the state rodent is.”
Depends on what political party one supports.
Comment by a drop in Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 9:57 am
++ I wonder what the state rodent is. ++ I think Quinn named one…
Comment by Mama Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 9:59 am
I thought the state rodent was Scabby, Local 150’s giant inflatable rat. If it’s not, it should be.
Also, isn’t corn a grain?
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 10:07 am
Good news: Even in a time of unprecedented fiscal, budgetary and political crisis, a bill designating corn as the state vegetable of Illinois passed both Democratic houses of legislature and was signed by the state’s Republican governor.
Bad news: Corn is not a vegetable. Corn is a grain.
Good news: The constitutionality of this law is unlikely to be challenged in court.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 10:11 am
=The first couple also took part in shucking corn.= Is it difficult to remove cornsilk from a Carhartt jacket? My bad, too warm for the jacket.
Comment by Bogey Golfer Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 10:11 am
Sweet corn eaten fresh out of the field is food of the gods. Illinois is famous for corn. I love that the kids are involved in this. Cynthia is a big killjoy but maybe if the kids hear about her comments that will be a life lesson for them, too.
Comment by Responsa Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 10:20 am
47th get your corn straight!
A grain is defined as the harvested dry seeds or fruit of a cereal grass, or the term can refer to the cereal grasses collectively. Field corn that is harvested when the seeds are dry would thus be considered a grain. Sweet corn when harvested before maturity is considered a vegetable.
Comment by Responsa Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 10:22 am
===Sweet corn when harvested before maturity is considered a vegetable===
So corn is a grain then, thanks. And sweet corn is the vegetable equivalent of veal. Got it.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 10:26 am
Hi Rich,
Against his better judgement, Bruce signed legislation designating ‘corn’ as the State Vegetable.
Unfortunately, it appears that MJM was involved with the 4th grade class that held sham ‘votes’ leaving many other middle class vegetables such as peas, carrots and onions w/out representation.
Best,
ck!
Comment by How Ironic Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 10:37 am
A WCIA news reader criticizing something for not being serious enough.
Think about it.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 10:51 am
I assume then, that Cynthia feels a twinge of guilt every time she sinks her fork into a full meal, or any time she buys a product or piece of clothing at the store for herself, or any time she takes enjoyment from anything in life that can’t be enjoyed by every single other person in the State of Illinois, or…..
Comment by BigDoggie Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 10:53 am
City boys!
No, sweet corn is not like veal. Commercial sweet corn and commercial field corn are two entirely different plants which start from different kinds of seeds, look different while growing, and are harvested at totally different growing times for totally different purposes and end product. Incidentally, this is why Burpee Seeds sells sweet corn seed packets as a vegetable to backyard farmers.
These central Illinois rural elementary school kids and their teacher know exactly what they are talking about! (And yes, 47th, I know you are funnin’.)
Comment by Responsa Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 11:36 am
I think, in honor of OW’s efforts to enlighten us as to the math issues in this state, we should designate an “Official Illinois State Math Equation”. Or perhaps an “Official Illinois State Math Theorem”. I think that is a winner!
Sadly, MrJM schooled us on the truth that corn is not a vegetable. Perhaps we should have chosen the tomato.
Comment by dupage dan Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 11:42 am
Sounds like someone’s jealous that others at the station got awards while all she got was an hour fluff show at 9.
Comment by OurMagician Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 11:55 am
@47th Ward: I love that inflatable rat. I always thought he and Squeezy the Pension Python would make for a hell of a cage match.
You know what would go real well with our new state vegetable? A new state budget.
Comment by CEA Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 11:56 am
I agree that a lot of these designations waste time that should be devoted to more pressing matters. But how often does government get the opportunity to inspire its youngest citizens to want to be aware and engaged? This was one of those opportunities and I’m glad the State took it.
Comment by Southside Markie Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 12:39 pm
Somebody has way too much free time on their hands down in Springfield. How about wasting even more precious time and precious state taxpayer dollars to determine if we should still retain the state’s favorite snack food? Now that ranks right up there with where the state is going to go to seek financial help. Move more squeegee guys, our Illinois elected officials down in Springfield will soon be your most aggresive competitors on Cicero Avenue.
Comment by Ethan Hawk Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 12:44 pm
Corn is um, durable. Same form on the way in as on the way out. Much like politics in IL, it is indigestible
Comment by Wumpus Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 12:52 pm
Sweet corn is part of Illinois cultural heritage. Sweet corn in the back garden. Sweet corn put up for the winter. Sweet corn grown as a commercial processing crop. Sweet corn festivals. Sweet corn on the roadside stands and at the farmers markets. Sweet corn banditos, aka as raccoons and coyotes. Corn ear worms. And some great sweet corn genetics coming from VEGETABLE Crop breeders in the dept. of Horticulture at the U of I. I mean, doesn’t love a fresh ear of sugary enhanced sweet corn thanks to Dr. Dusty Rhoades?
The choice fit. Roastin’ ears from Cahokia to Chicago. Rauner can now be called “sweet corn boy”, a grade above soy boy unless you rank ADM and industrial ag higher on the pecking order.
Comment by vole Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 1:06 pm
Now, why didn’t the Guv refuse to sign this legislation until that gosh-darn Turnaround Agenda was passed? What a missed opportunity! Heehee
Comment by South Central Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 1:23 pm
“I wonder what the state rodent is.” Bobcat
Comment by Pacman Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 2:08 pm
I see Ms Bruno’s concern for Central Illinois working families took her all the way to Italy last month.
Now that’s dedication.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 2:24 pm
I thought there was more than corn…..in Indiana?
Comment by Dee Lay Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 2:47 pm
Wumpus, some years ago a date shared this bit of her Appalachian wisdom with me: “You don’t eat corn, you rent it.”
Comment by Harold's Left-wing Dinner Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 2:50 pm
Doesn’t the Cow Pie Throw take place at the Sweet Corn Fest? Brucie must have a bye since he’s been throwing so much!
Comment by DPGumby Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:04 pm
I might be late in pointING this out….but sweet corn is technically a grain. Not a vegetable
Comment by Strangerthings Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:19 pm
Sweet Corn is indeed a tasty veg on the ear or as kernels. Popcorn must be handled differently however as it does POP! Field Corn is the most dangerous of all as it becomes ethanol and will explode or if fed to cattle produce methane. So be careful when traveling downstate.
Comment by A Citizen Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 3:54 pm
To those debating what type of food corn is, take a look at what our nation’s land-grant universities have to say (all three): http://www.extension.org/pages/36971/please-settle-a-dispute-is-sweet-corn-a-vegetable-or-a-grain-what-is-the-difference-how-about-field-#.Val5j17bLs0
Comment by Danny Boy Friday, Jul 17, 15 @ 4:59 pm