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Illinois

* The setup…

A Peoria political reporter will remain in a hairy situation as long as Illinois legislators are deadlocked on a budget.

Journal Star reporter Chris Kaergard says he won’t shave his beard until lawmakers reach a deal.

He says it started as a bit of a gag in May when lawmakers adjourned in the spring without a spending plan in place. But now Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Democrat-controlled Legislature are still at an impasse nearly two months into the new fiscal year.

I did that a few years back. Never again.

* The “before” photo…

* The “after” photo…

* The Question: Caption?

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:05 pm

Comments

“If the Burgermeister saw you, we would all be in real danger!”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:07 pm
At least it gives bobcats a place to hide!

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:08 pm
“Next on ‘Duck Dynasty ‘…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:11 pm
“It only itches when I’m asleep or awake.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:11 pm
Who cares about social services? I want the budget solved so that we can get that raccoon off Chris’s face!

Comment by Ace Laredo Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:12 pm
I hope he gets to shave before the 2015-2016 Blackhawks…

Comment by cover Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:12 pm
Touch of Grey on Shakedown Street

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:13 pm
Prepping for his part in the new star wars movie as a wookie reporter.

Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:15 pm
His face will stay nice and toasty warm this winter.

Comment by Bluefish Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:15 pm
“No. I’m Doc. The other guy is Sleepy”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:15 pm
If Just For Men® can make Santa look like this…just think what it can do for you!

Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:15 pm
===hope he gets to shave before the 2015-2016 Blackhawks===

I hope he gets to shave before he looks like ZZ Top - somewhere around 2019.

lol

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:15 pm
“… but his back is waxed weekly… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:16 pm
“Wilson!… Oh Wilson… Wilson?!?… Wilson!!”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:17 pm
Even the chia-pets get nervous when they see it

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:18 pm
Life is really getting hairy at the state capitol now. The poor workers can’t afford to buy a razor.

Comment by Mama Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:18 pm
“I’ve gotten used to the birds living in my beard. They’re kinda nice, but they don’t pay rent. It’s a double-edged sword.”

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:18 pm
“Tie or no tie?”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:19 pm
“… my pots and pans have never been cleaner… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:20 pm
I can remember when my beard looked like the “after” photo. I keep it much, much shorter now.

And I started mine on a whim over 30 years ago. I shaved Thanksgiving morning and decided that if it looked good and I was still comfortable with it by Christmas that I would keep it. So many years ago.

Comment by illini Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:21 pm
That beard will really set him apart from all his former PJS colleagues in the unemployment line. There are better odds of Gatehouse folding that paper than there are of a state budget deal anytime soon.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:22 pm
PJ Star reporter Chris Kaergard is preparing for hell to freeze over. Projected temperature in hell is 451 degrees F for the foreseeable future.

Comment by Hyperbolic Chamber Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:23 pm
“Want some candy little boy?”

Comment by Mich Willar Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:23 pm
“After I got done rung-ing, I bee-came a ree-porter, you know one of those people askin’ quest-yons, writin’ down things, Mama was so proud. Now Jen-nee, I had heard from her in a long time… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:24 pm
“When the beard moves upward, that’s when I’m smiling”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:25 pm
“Mayor Ardis, he started his own satire Twitter of my beard…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:26 pm
“Contacts or glasses?”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:26 pm
“No, I’ve been eating lunch alone lately, why?”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:29 pm
Dude, bad year to make a vow like that!

Comment by Stones Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:30 pm
When the hair starts going out the ears, you may want to rethink this…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:30 pm
“Sir, we’ll charge you for the haircut, but if you want, we all chipped in for a shave.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:31 pm
Illinois is in a Grizzly situation.

Comment by Ahoy! Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:31 pm
“Frodo and Gandolf will be here shortly, I love ComCon.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:32 pm
“Nope, not a bet, I’m choosing to do this…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:33 pm
“Sure it’s movie quality, but I’m suppose to be an Ewok… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:34 pm
Celebrating the centennial of Illinois’ last budget.

Comment by Excessively Rabid Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:38 pm
“… and since then I’ve stayed clear of Velcro… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:38 pm
“… Now? Now I just tell them what want from the salad bar and they bring it to me… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:40 pm
“This is my 3rd Press ID since January…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:41 pm
“I use to be a ‘Summer’ complexion before the beard, now I’m a Fall/Winter, depending on the lighting… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:42 pm
Mother Earth News welcomes its new editor

Comment by AC Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:43 pm
Maybe now that the Mayor can’t recognize me, I can get away with saying something critical of him without my home getting raided by the police.

Comment by Jeff Trigg Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:43 pm
“I know, I know, I KNOW! The Blackhawks won, got it, thanks. I’m doing this because of… oh, never mind… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:44 pm
Insider stuff- no one cares except those around you.

Comment by Liberty Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:45 pm
If things work out, I’ll be the face of the Peoria Rivermen by… What?… Seriously?… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:46 pm
PJR Reporter Cousin Itt…

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:48 pm
If it doesn’t end before the next Westminster Show, I’d say we’ve got a contenda’

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:49 pm
Might want to warn Oscar by the way…

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:50 pm
A non-caption aside: Did I hear Jim Oberweis is growing an overtime beard too? If so, can we see those pics?

Comment by Tammy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:50 pm
New study links unmanaged state budget with unmanaged facial hair growth, razor Industry stocks drops 10%

Comment by AC Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:51 pm
In a few more years, and if I get a little more white hair, I know I can win the “Oscar” look-a-like contest.

Comment by Blago's Hare Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:51 pm
The governor, the speaker and the beards they control

Comment by AC Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:51 pm
“Wait. Let me comb it… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:53 pm
If I were his wife I’d kill him. It’d be like sleeping next to bigfoot, especially when you woke up in the night and rolled over expecting to see your husband and GAAAAAAH BIGFOOT.

Comment by Educated in the Suburbs Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:54 pm
(*or his husband. The point is, that beard breaks marital vows.)

Comment by Educated in the Suburbs Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:55 pm
“I haven’t buttoned a top button in weeks… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 1:59 pm
“We loved you in Teen Wolf… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 2:02 pm
This IS the before… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 2:03 pm
“Please welcome Alan Garner to Springfield… “

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 2:05 pm
“Be careful with that; it’s a Lewis Vitton Notepad.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 2:07 pm
More like Lycanthropy-oria Journal Star reporter Chris Kaergard, amirite?

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 2:10 pm
Ch, ch, ch, chia

Comment by Wildcat D Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 2:11 pm
Ladies and gentlemen of the General Assembly, I’m just a caveman. I fell on some ice and later got thawed out by some of your scientists. Your Chambers frighten and confuses me! Sometimes the ringing of your voting bells make me want to get off my Twitter feed on my iPhone.. and… run off into the hills, or wherever.. Sometimes when I get a text on my cell phone, I wonder: “Did little demons get inside and type it?” I don’t know! My primitive mind can’t grasp these concepts. But there is one thing I do know - when a budget isn’t passed and I find myself on the sidewalk in front of the Capitol, I’m entitled to no less than two outstanding quotes from Leadership and the Governor, and two million clicks on the column. Thank you.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 2:19 pm
Willy, you are really having some fun with this today. Always enjoy your comments when it comes to some light humor and a little “snark”.

Comment by illini Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 2:44 pm
Two months to ZZ Top length.

Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 2:48 pm
Getting ready for that reality TV show, ” Bush Political Reporters”.

Comment by The Colossus of Roads Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 2:53 pm
I’m trying to look cool, like Rich Miller……

Comment by Evil T Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 2:56 pm
I should be wearing the Carhartt!

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 3:06 pm
Plus, I always have my lunch w/ me…just comb it out.

Comment by D.P.Gumby Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 3:10 pm
Next time? Clean shaven, no haircut.

(Tips cap to - illini -)

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 3:15 pm
Hi—Do you play outfield for the Colorado Rockies???

Comment by anon Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 3:17 pm
Josh Duggar escapes notice with his new Bruce Vilanch style.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 3:19 pm
Inspired by Peoria’s own, Willie York.

Comment by Skid Lid Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 3:22 pm
Hipster check list:

Facial hair? Check
Bicycle to work? Check
Skinny jeans? Check
Microbrew fan? Check
Ironic sense of humor? Check
Tattoos? OK, I don’t really want to know.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 3:26 pm
IL passes balanced budget on 1-0 vote by “The Last Man on Earth.”

Comment by the Patriot Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 3:33 pm
Governors own beards. Always have. Beard is Rauner’s fault.

OR:

It is all Madigan’s fault. That beard would be shaved by now if it weren’t for the corrupt common denominator.

Comment by Go Huskies Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 4:27 pm
If this budget gets passed in December or January and this cat shaves his beard then, he’s gonna have a whole new understanding of the effect of the wind chill factor. Whoa.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 4:35 pm
That beard’s gettin’ so big, his ties no longer fit him.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 4:36 pm
The beard makes him look about 15 years older, so maybe is just seeking some gravitas.

Comment by Jake From Elwood Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 4:36 pm
Muck dynasty

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 5:27 pm
Because… Madigan!

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 5:28 pm
Post office wall paper

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 5:31 pm
Medical marijuana test subject

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 5:33 pm
Growing a beard, in the extreme

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 5:50 pm
Folk duo Harry whiskers and son

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 5:52 pm
This is the Illinois budget. This is the Illinois budget on drugs.

Comment by Vote Quimby! Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 6:01 pm
I think the biscuit madigan sent over has rogaine in it ?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 6:16 pm
Great now I need a new iD for big Al’s

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 6:18 pm
Annual peoria wooly caterpillar lookalike contestant

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 6:30 pm
Hairy Potter

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 6:43 pm
Mr. Kaergard,

I wish you the best in you continuous bearded state.

I have no sage advice or an old wives’ tale when it comes to the keeping of a beard, but a weight will be lifted from your face, and the state too, once that pesky budget is signed.

Good luck,

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 7:12 pm
The new trump combover

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 7:37 pm
I think it looks good on him, but what do I know? I’ve had a beard for over thirty years… cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter, and none of that blood or time wasted shaving…

Comment by downstate commissioner Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 8:43 pm
OW said the Look was Cait J, but I just don’t see it.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 9:27 pm
“Listen: It’s not a cult. It’s a spiritual system. And Father Yod has some pretty good ideas if you’d just give them a fair hearing. But you can’t do that because you’re too afraid they upset your precious System. You’ll never understand until you free your mind, man.”

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Aug 25, 15 @ 9:45 pm
Grow up

Comment by My FiNgErS HuRt Wednesday, Aug 26, 15 @ 9:07 am
He may change his mind when the tip of his beard starts tickling his ankles.

Comment by Beardless in Illinois Wednesday, Aug 26, 15 @ 9:10 am
I remember during Ron Turner’s first year coaching Illinois some folks from a Champaign radio station had a stunt to sleep on top of their station every night until the team won a game. Illinois went 0-11 that year.

Comment by mcb Wednesday, Aug 26, 15 @ 9:19 am
Jumanji, Jumanji, juman…

Comment by GA Wednesday, Aug 26, 15 @ 9:29 am
I want to look like Rich Miller!

Comment by Let'sMovetoNorthDakota Wednesday, Aug 26, 15 @ 9:56 am