Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Open thread

Posted in:

Illinois

* Every now and then I realize I’ve looked so long for something “quick” to post that I’ve wound up taking as much or even more time than if I’d just posted something long to begin with.

Oops.

Have at it.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:29 am

Comments

Hopefully today is another day toward a deal we can all like a little, and dislike a little.

Comment by Anony Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:32 am
Isn’t it today that AFSCME’s restraining order will be decided on by the courts?

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:32 am
So, are the Cubs going to repeat the World Series win in 2017?

What are the odds of a crosstown World Series?

Comment by Huh? Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:33 am
Paraskevidekatriaphobia

Comment by Rabid Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:33 am
It’s Friday, which is usually great and all, but it also means we’re just one day closer to a full-on Trump administration. Ugh.

Comment by Sick & Tired Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:35 am
Kristen McQueary is at it again, and repeats at least one bald faced lie.

Comment by Smitty Irving Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:36 am
Hopefully AFSCME gets injunction from court.

Comment by DHSJim Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:36 am
Over and under of John Groce saving his job?

Comment by Give Me A Break Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:39 am
I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.

Comment by Scamp640 Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:39 am
=Over and under of John Groce saving his job?=
I think recruiting may get him one more year.

Comment by m Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:40 am
We know how Governor Rauner feels about Betsy DeVos, but is someone going to ask him about this potential disaster for Illinois?

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/gop-governors-republicans-obamacare-233576

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:41 am
only 7 more days left of O’bummer … bring on Mr. Trump please.

Comment by Allen D Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:42 am
All the dogs are tempting this week in the NFL. Houston +16 is an eye-popper for any NFL game, much less the second round of the playoffs.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:45 am
Rauner will never agree to a budget without his TA.
Forget any possibility that the Senates proposals will solve the budget impasse.

Comment by MOON Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:50 am
@Smitty Irving. Read McQueary’s column, you got me. Where’s the lie?

Comment by Bogey Golfer Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:50 am
” think recruiting may get him one more year.”

I’m afraid you are right.

Comment by Give Me A Break Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:51 am
AFSCME court date is today.

Comment by Nick Name Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:52 am
Is there anything more childish than attempting to change a politician’s name into a word denoting incompetency?

Comment by AlfondoGonz Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:53 am
Paul Vallas to Chicago State…

Is that to SAVE Chicago State, or to aid in the closing of Chicago State, with no fault to Vallas, but giving cover to Rauner with Vallas once “…CSU closes… ”

Interesting.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:55 am
As an alum and season ticket holder, I want and expect to see improvement with the Illini BB program as measured in wins and loses. I agree with -m- that the incoming recruiting class has ensured at least one more year for coach Groce. I was at the Michigan game and liked some of the lineup and substitution pattern changes made. NCAA bubble team this year, the Maryland game on Saturday will be telling. No NCAA next year will likely result in a coaching change.

Comment by kitty Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:56 am
@ Allen D. I would like to point out that when you use phrases like you did to describe the current president, it really reflects more on you than the president. I just thought you should know.

Comment by Scamp640 Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:56 am
Earlier in the week, the autism vs vaccination debate sort of reated its ugly head again. Lets form a commission was the rallying cry. Old Blue is further confused. What exactly does the FDA do ?

Comment by Blue dog dem Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:56 am
Reared

Comment by Blue dog dem Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:57 am
To many of you, Rich is a well known commodity and friend. To others, his background and journey may be somewhat of a mystery. I’m posting an excellent link to provide some bio information on Rich.

http://illinoisissues.uis.edu/archives/2010/02/miller.html

This is as good as time as any to blow a little smoke up Rich’s backside and express as one reader how grateful I am that this forum exists to provide an avenue for adult discussions on the myriad of complex problems facing our state.

The readers’ comments almost always provide additional thought provoking discussions and are incredibly well informed. Rich would probably ascribe the success of Capitol Fax onto the commenters and to a certain extent, he is right.

But its more than that, its a symbiotic relationship between Rich and his readers; Capitol Fax wouldn’t exist without Rich and Capitol Fax would be less than what it is without the commenters.

So, raise your cups of whatever it is your drinking, and join me in a toast to the continued success and health of our friend, Rich Miller.

Comment by Tommydanger Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 9:58 am
Taking “State House Chick” seriously now is dangerous.

“State House Chick” is the same person who tweeted pictures if Haitian children and weeks later wanted a hurricane to devastate Chicago.

McQueary lacks.

In her other writings, like her ridiculous column cited. “State House Chick” ignores 60 and 30 that got these budgets, even ones signed by Edgar, Ryan, even Blagojevich at one point.

Anyone who has the gall to continue to call herself “State House Chick” and ignored the years and years of experience she has to be a shill for Rauner, that also speaks volumes about “State House Chick”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 10:03 am
CBS Chicago showed an interesting story on Rep. Thaddeus Jones misspending campaign funds last night.

Comment by Estubborn Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 10:04 am
Any of you northeners braving your way down south here. Be wary. Getting a bit slick.

Comment by blue dog dem Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 10:07 am
So former Rep Skoog has $56K in the bank as of January 1st. If you look back he had almost $100K the day after election day. He lost by 600 votes? Not very smart planning ….

Comment by Spliff Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 10:09 am
wordslinger, don’t take the bait. NE has trounced Houston consistently.

Comment by Fixer Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 10:10 am
In DC news, Trump and Pence will be hosting an “invitation only candlelit” event at the Washington Union Station next Thursday. I expect it to be a “disaster” for all, as commuters, like myself, try to get out of town before the Inauguration will have to get through security, crowds of protesters and the simple non-sense of a high profile event in a public space.

Comment by CLJ Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 10:10 am
Blue Dog Dem….gotta think about a new name. Blue Dog Dems are in a bar somewhere with moderate Republicans, Elvis, Sasquatch, the unicorn, and a bunch of other mythical creatures!

Odds of crosstown world series this year? Really slim, given where the Sox are on their plan. Four years from now? Could be!

Comment by Anony Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 10:11 am
I don’t understand how we can send a man to the moon, figure out nuclear fusion, and send a camera to Pluto, but still cannot somewhat accurately predict when it is going to start freezing rain. There are like 4 different predictions, and they are predictions, as to when the ice is supposed to get to Springfield. The Weather Channel says Sunday. SJ-R website last night said this afternoon. Someone else heard 7pm tonight.

Comment by L.A. Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 10:12 am
To everyone who will be impacted by the ice—stay safe and be well!

Comment by Cubs in '16 Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 10:12 am
Bogey Golfer
“skipped full pension payments”
Under The Ramp, at some point (early Quinn?) payments were more than required for pension liabilities incurred that year, with the rest paying off past underfunding. Right now the pension contribution rate is about 50% of payroll. Contrast that with Sangamon County, whose officials claim has fully funded pensions and a contribution rate of abut 15% for civilians and 30% for deputies.

Comment by Smitty Irving Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 10:14 am
===So, are the Cubs going to repeat the World Series win in 2017?===

The reigning champs are usually (see Florida Marlins) the favorites to win it again but Cleveland significantly upgraded their already formidable team. If they stay healthy they will be tough to beat.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 10:17 am
Vegas Line:

Cubs 9/5 on pennant, 15/4 on WS.

Sox 30/1 pennant, 60/1 WS.

Cards 12/1 pennant, 25/1 WS.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 10:21 am
Friday the 13th……..what will happen?????

Comment by DuPage Bard Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 10:50 am
Anony. How about “Winchester Willy”? This way I cover two great American icons.

Comment by blue dog dem Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 10:53 am
Can anyone tell me what is happening with the lawsuit via social services against state workers getting paid without a budget? The lawsuit that could shut the whole state down.

Will that lawsuit be thrown out once AFSCME goes on strike?

Comment by MAMA Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 11:30 am
Vegas Line:

“Cubs 9/5 on pennant, 15/4 on WS.”

Yes they are favored and should be, but every year, even when they stink, the Cubs have low odds because so many people every year go to Vegas and put money on them. Thus, gambling odds aren’t the best measuring stick. In this case, though, they happen to be correct.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Jan 13, 17 @ 11:30 am