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* When my brother and my nephew invited me to come along with them to the World Baseball Classic in Miami this weekend I naturally jumped at the chance.
I’m about to head to the airport, so blogging is going to be light to non-existent until late afternoon. You’re on your own, so be nice to each other. Share thoughts on Illinois-related stuff and any breaking news in comments.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 10:29 am
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Northwestern is getting closer and closer to getting that coveted NCAA bid.
They are looking real good right now, might even be a tough out for someone!
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 10:32 am
From the “I Like Illinois” files…
A case took me to Lewistown last week, so on a whim, I stopped by Dixon Mounds. I’d never been, but liked it. The area was surprisingly beautiful, the staff was friendly (And clearly excited to have a visitor), and the exhibits were great. I particularly liked that the museum covers the controversy around itself (though obviously doesn’t dwell on it).
It’s a shame it’s a bit off the beaten path, and thus, easy to forget. But it’s nice.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 10:35 am
So… Mike Glennon…eh?
Comment by A Modest Proposal Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 10:35 am
For a man of his age and position, Rep. Shimkus revealed remarkable confusion yesterday as to basic concepts of both insurance and biology.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 10:36 am
Glennon isn’t terrible. He isn’t good either. Kinda..meh. It was obvious from day one Jon Fox didn’t want Cutler and as soon as it became financially sensible, they sent him packing. I’d say from the free agent moves so far, the Bears intend to go heavy at CB, S, TE and QB in the draft.
Comment by Han's Solo Cup Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 10:40 am
What’s the general feeling around Champaign regarding the future of John Groce after the lackluster? finish to the Big Ten season?
Comment by Big Joe Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 10:41 am
Have fun! I was just in Arizona seeing some spring training ball for the first time - bucket list item. It’s very Zen to be at the park. You deserve the break.
Comment by Archiesmom Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 10:47 am
Big Joe,
If there were any quality candidates out there Groce would be gone.
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:02 am
Big Joe-I think I would be getting in contact with a realtor if I was Coach Groce.
Comment by Tough Guy Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:02 am
I envy you for being able to see some live baseball, although I can’t help but think you’d have been able to see some better ballgames if you had been able to check out the group playing this weekend in Mexico. I’m still trying to recover from Thursday night’s opening loss with Mexico blowing a four-run lead in the 9th to lose 10-9.
Comment by Gregory Tejeda Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:07 am
With Cutler finally being told by management that his services are no longer wanted, causing his leaving the state, that makes it one Jerkface down, one to go…
Comment by Roadiepig Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:15 am
And yes, physically he was the most talented quarterback the Bears have ever had. I really wish he would have succeeded in winning the Bears something (a few playoff games would have been nice). Its too bad that he was so stubborn, reckless, and bad for his team’s chances of success. Just like Jerkface #2
Comment by Roadiepig Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:18 am
What’s especially cool about the WBC is the idea it’s like pick-up games with the best in the World representing their countries with the commonality of the game, like kids picking sides and playing on an open diamond.
Managing these clubs, especially the pitching, yikes that had to be nerve-racking given their pro clubs don’t want the arms tasked too hard this early.
I’ve been know to be watching at 2-3 am. It’s exciting with the national pride.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:18 am
==I’ve been know to be watching at 2-3 am.==
It’s surprisingly comforting to fall asleep to. Because it’s baseball, which is already great, but I’m more relaxed because I don’t *exactly* care if Mexico or Italy wins, but there’s just enough name-able players around…
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:20 am
I remember going to Dickson Mounds as a kid when they still showed the bones. It made me think about being an archeologist when I grew up.
Comment by Former hillrod Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:21 am
Go Cubs Go!
Comment by fan Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:23 am
This is exactly the time of year… January 15th-ish to March 15th-ish where I long for a 80,000 retractable dome in Chicagoland…
… for Super Bowls, Final Fours… imagine the money generated for the economy. Big mistake when Soldier Field was “renovated”… then losing its landmark status anyway.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:24 am
Tell Jose Quintana not to get injured!
Jay Cutler is a good (not great) quarterback - because he comes off like a jerk (and might indeed be one) people don’t give him credit for how much physical abuse he took - terrible offensive lines for most of his career here.
Comment by lake county democrat Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:31 am
Groce may be gone with or without a top gun replacement in Josh Whitman’s sights.
When you have to give away tickets to fill the house, not good. The “Premium Seating Experience,” aka pay $300 for a $30 seat and a buffet has also not been warmly received. That business decision is not on Groce, but for the most part they have been a TV team (”why go, let’s just watch it on TV”) for his entire tenure.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:31 am
- Arsenal -,
You’re on it.
Soothing, it’s baseball. It’s a perfect thing to ease me into a slumber, enjoying the game.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:36 am
At least you have a football team to talk about. Mine packed up and went to LA LA Land
Comment by BIG R. Ph. Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:37 am
Cutler was never the Bears’ biggest problem, but he was a consistent problem.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:38 am
Bobcat limits should be quadrupled.
Comment by blue dog dem Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:39 am
I went to Dickson Mounds when bones were still exposed. Later my dad worked construction on the present building. Several years ago I took to the museum some native American artifacts picked over the years by my wife’s grandfather. We found out our pieces (arrowheads, spearheads, and tools) are about 12,000 years old.
Comment by illinoised Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:39 am
@wordslinger - I was stunned, too, (well, no, not really) at Rep. Shimkus’s remarks on what he does not like about the ACA. The man does not understand risk pools. And this from someone who represents a district with an estimated 70,000 uninsured persons. I think we can do much better than that sort of “representation.”
Comment by morningstar Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:42 am
Heading to AZ manana. Grand Canyon then Scottsdale. Enjoy the baseball Rich. Will be at the Cubs-Brewers Tuesday.
Comment by Bogey Golfer Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:49 am
=A case took me to Lewistown last week=
Just finished reading Edgar Lee Masters’ “Spoon River Anthology” for the first time, and it was so interesting.
Seems like the more things change, the more they remain the same - crime, corruption, petty differences, political divisions…the human condition. there is nothing new under the sun.
The entire collection is available online - of particular interest to Chicagoans:
Lambert Hutchins and his railroad switching yard.
Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:53 am
Groce will be gone as soon as they lose out in the NIT. He’s got a $500k payment due 4/1 if he is still the coach, and only like an $800k buyout. They have to fire him or extend him. It will be the former.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:53 am
Shimkus is a well paid loiterer.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 11:55 am
U of I loss to Michigan may just cap the end of career for Groce. It’d be great if Illinois could attract its own talent to stay in their home state.
Comment by DuPage Bard Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 12:03 pm
re John Shimkus
In the words of Buggs Bunny “What a maroon”
Unfortunately he’ll be in that seat as long as he wants.
Comment by train111 Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 12:05 pm
Chicago State University will have to pay out $4.3 million after losing a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by a former employee. The lawsuit relates to willful and wanton misconduct by former CSU President Wayne Watson (a favorite of Emil Jones, Sr. and Pat Quinn).
Applying the Oswego Willy rule, despite the fact that the misconduct occurred during the Quinn era, Rauner owns it because the check was paid while he was in office.
Comment by Crony State University Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 12:10 pm
Rich, have a great time at the World Baseball Classic. Sounds like a good time.
Comment by No Longer A Lurker Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 12:12 pm
Groce should be fired. He won with Weber’s mediocre recruits and he was hired solely for his recruiting ability (he got Mike Conley and Greg Oden while at Ohio State). He’s really failed in recruiting except for this past year. And it’s been demonstrated he’s not an x’s and o’s guy. I think there are some good coaches out there who are not unemployed. I’d first look at Gregg Marshall at Wichita State. He probably won’t take it, but at least make him an offer. Then look at Cuonzo Martin, former E. St. Louis and Purdue standout.
Comment by Steve Rogers Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 12:14 pm
===Rauner owns it because the check was paid while he was in office.===
Not my rule, but good try.
Rauner is rooting out “waste, fraud, and corruption”, you should be cheering this payout!
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 12:16 pm
Wait a minute. I thought ending waste,fraud and corruption was the governors spending cuts needed to balance the budget?!
Comment by blue dog dem Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 12:21 pm
Spoon River Anthology (1916)
Lambert Hutchins:
I HAVE two monuments besides this granite obelisk:
One, the house I built on the hill,
With its spires, bay windows, and roof of slate;
The other, the lake-front in Chicago,
Where the railroad keeps a switching yard,
With whistling engines and crunching wheels,
And smoke and soot thrown over the city,
And the crash of cars along the boulevard,—
A blot like a hog-pen on the harbor
Of a great metropolis, foul as a sty.
I helped to give this heritage
To generations yet unborn, with my vote
In the House of Representatives,
And the lure of the thing was to be at rest
From the never-ending fright of need,
And to give my daughters gentle breeding,
And a sense of security in life.
But, you see, though I had the mansion house
And traveling passes and local distinction,
I could hear the whispers, whispers, whispers,
Wherever I went, and my daughters grew up
With a look as if someone were about to strike them;
And they married madly, helter-skelter,
Just to get out and have a change.
And what was the whole of the business worth?
Why, it wasn’t worth a damn!
Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 12:23 pm
If Rauner has his way Dixon Mounds and Lewiston will close down
Comment by flea Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 12:23 pm
Anyone here follow the blockchain initiative being managed by Schneider from the IL Dept. of Fin and Prof Regulation?
Seems pretty cool. Would love to have a stand alone system that can’t be tampered with and allows the storage of government docs for all to see.
More info here: http://www.coindesk.com/illinois-blockchain-initiative-policy-regulation-bitcoin-blockchain/
Comment by BK Bro Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 12:49 pm
I am ever so proud of our Congresscriters from Southern Illinois.
My own John Shimkus has once again displayed his total ignorance or is choosing to be totally oblivious of the facts. He repeatedly demonstrates his lack of understanding and compassion for his constituents and refuses to dialogue with anyone who does does not accept his own narrow ideas of what responsible government is all about.
Representatives Bost and Davis seem to be afraid to meet with their constituents and prefer to opt out by hosting their bogus tele-town-hall-meetings. We deserve better.
I can remember when Southern Illinois had the likes of Al Dixon, Mel Price, Paul Simon, Ken Gray, Glenn Poshard, Jerry Costello and others.
What has happened and don’t we deserve better?
Or, do we now have what we deserve?
Comment by illini Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 12:56 pm
All you have to do with Shimkus is look at the date of the photo 2013. He only pops his head up during election time and this shows why. Remember his main campaign theme when he first ran was term limits and how long he would be in office-till that came up then he was to important not to run again..
Comment by Duckblind Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 12:59 pm
WE GOT PAID!!!
Comment by called the bank Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 1:05 pm
Are there any reasonable Republicans or electable Democrats who live in Shimkus’s district? Seems he could be vulnerable to a challenge.
Comment by orzo Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 1:16 pm
This is a cool thing to see in Miami, if you have time and enjoy history, architecture, and gardens.
http://vizcaya.org/
Comment by cdog Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 1:22 pm
===Are there any reasonable Republicans or electable Democrats who live in Shimkus’s district?===
Nope.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 1:31 pm
@Orzo - One would think so, but that does not appear to be the case. I have known some remarkable Dems who have challenged him in the past but who received absolutely no help, assistance or money from either the ILLDEMS or any of the national Committees.
a reasonable Republican???? In the past Primary he was challenged by my State Senator McCarter. I fear he would be even more of an embarrassment. Yet expect yet another primary challenge from him.
Comment by illini Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 1:39 pm
Tiny Dancer–Spoon River and ELMasters are both fascinating topics. You may wish to visit his house in Petersburg if you can catch it when it is open. So many of his characters speak to today. John Hallwas of WIU did an annotated version that gives info on the origins of the poems. Herb Russell did a biography of Masters published by UofI press that’s not too bad. Masters never really succeeded w/ other works. I’ve been wanting to read his screed against Lincoln and the Civil War. Though a longtime Master fan, did not know about that until recently and just downloaded onto my pad.
Comment by d.p.gumby Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 1:44 pm
So, since he will never give us a QOTD about football, this will have to do.
Anybody else rooting for Lincoln City to beat Arsenal in the FA Cup Quarterfinals tomorrow?
Comment by Gooner Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 1:54 pm
dp gumby
That is the version I read, the one annotated by John E. Hallawas. His commentary made the poems much more interesting.
Also included the Spooniad, an early 20th century version of modern politics!
Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 1:56 pm
@illini:
Noticed that not a single Republican made your list of Southern Illinois political leaders.
Maybe Republican Congressmen would be willing to resume holding town hall meetings if Bob Creamer and his acolytes were not sending busloads of protesters to heckle the elected officials.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 2:02 pm
@Gooner, what, are you with Piers Morgan who just wants to drive Arsene to the channel?
No, I’m rooting for Arsenal. only chance to pursue silverware.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 2:05 pm
===Bob Creamer and his acolytes===
Aren’t they a Sha Na Na cover band?
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 2:08 pm
Amalia,
Initially, I can’t stand Piers Morgan. I really wish he would stop telling people he backs Arsenal. My favorite Gooner is F1 driver Louis Hamilton. Morgan is with the worst.
That being said, I do accept his premise. Arsenal needs a huge loss in order to force the board to dump Wenger. He has to go. He’s been terrible the past few years in every part of the job. The side is not prepared and overall, with the exceptions of Sanchez and Ozil (who he’s driving out) the purchases have been terrible.
He needs to go. Hopefully a loss to Lincoln City will do it.
Comment by Gooner Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 2:10 pm
Against my own rule of replying to @Anonymous, but here goes -
- Please tell me of notable Republicans that I may have missed. And you can count Jason Plummer and Bob Romanik if you wish.
Bob Creamer and his acolytes????? Give me a break. Do you honestly think that there is no significant local outrage at these Congressmen and that a mythical organization is actually going to send anyone to to do our own work. Get real.
Comment by illini Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 2:15 pm
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170310/BLOGS04/170319985/chicago-white-sox-miller-lite-split-after-30-year-run
Now that is exciting. Beer choices at the ballpark!
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 2:33 pm
Re the Lambert Hutchins poem from the Spoon River Anthology: the house “on the hill / With its spires, bay windows, and roof of slate” still stands in Petersburg: it’s called “The Oaks” and was originally built in 1875 by Edward Laning. It’s been a B & B in recent years.
Comment by IllinoisBoi Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 2:37 pm
Love it! Catch the Creamer team at the (paid) protests with manufactured signs and they scream that the angry mobs were concerned constituents who spontaneously decided to disrupt Congressional town halls. Jan gave a speech to rally the opposition, but now we are told that the protests are not planned.
Comment by Walter Concrete Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 2:40 pm
Ducky, like Sox fans even know what craft beer is.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 2:53 pm
@Walter - “Creamer team at the (paid) protests..” and “Jan gave a speech to rally the opposition”
Please cite your irrefutable sources - if you can do that, I may respond.
Comment by illini Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 2:54 pm
@Gooner
==Anybody else rooting for Lincoln City to beat Arsenal in the FA Cup Quarterfinals tomorrow?==
As much as I know the entire club needs change, and as much as I hope it’s coming, no way I’m cheering against the team. Gotta still play each game like it matters and I’m hoping for the best.
Who knows, maybe a last trophy will make it easier for Wenger to say goodbye?
Comment by First Gentleman Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 2:55 pm
Willy-I hope that Northwestern makes the tournament. They have waited a long time. The have a better program than U of I do now.
Comment by Boat captain Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 2:59 pm
@ Gooner
I accept your premises, but can’t bring myself to fanbag.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 3:01 pm
- Boat captain -
It would be history, for sure. I can’t see how the committee can’t give them an At-Large bid right now. They cleared all the hurdles, earned the berth, no doubt.
They’ll be a tough “out” too…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 3:04 pm
Lincoln City will do about as well with Arsenal, as Fulham did with Tottenham. Buried by excellence at all positions.
Only question for Arsenal: who will rest their legs?
Comment by walker Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 3:06 pm
Other than showing Shrimpkus for what he really is, the bigger problem is that his comments display the incredibly disconnected bubble in which Congress exists and the unrealistic perspective they have even w/o having meetings w/ the public. It’s worse than the apocryphal visit of Bush Sr to the grocery store marveling over the checkout scanner!
Comment by d.p.gumby Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 3:10 pm
@d.p.gumby - exactly correct.
Comment by illini Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 3:17 pm
Is Lincoln City in Lincoln County?
Comment by blue dog dem Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 3:20 pm
*checks left*
*checks right*
THERE’S NO RULES!
Comment by Barton Lorimor Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 3:21 pm
===Ducky, like Sox fans even know what craft beer is.===
Naw, we know what it is. We’re just not all uppity about it like some folks on the other side of town….
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 3:25 pm
“THERE’S NO RULES!”
Food fight!
Comment by Skeptic Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 3:25 pm
Why am I not surprised that a Republican would think uppity is still an appropriate word to use in 2017?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 3:26 pm
Has anyone eaten an Oreo lately? Last week, in order to be a kind guest, I was forced to eat an ‘Oreo Ball’. Man, has their quality gone down hill.
Comment by blue dog dem Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 3:26 pm
Oreos taste crazy artificial now
Comment by Grand Avenue Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 3:29 pm
I feel great this week after Rauner got put in his place by the Fourth District Appellate Court. I was afraid of him but I’m not anymore. I don’t think he has time to stick it to the union before he’s voted out. He’s done, I hope.
Comment by Don Verdean Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 3:34 pm
I have a headache from Rauners Q&A on WBEZ this morning. For a guy who was never a politician, he sure has that political circular language skill set down. Now all he needs to learn how to do is lead and govern.
Comment by Ratso Rizzo Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 3:39 pm
Walker,
Don’t be so certain.
The collapse against Bayern was truly epic. They just didn’t care.
With Wenger having lost Sanchez and Ozil, I’m not sure anybody on that side can lead them to a win.
Wenger’s teams when they played well had a strong organization. I became a Gooner because I loved how they moved the ball. They just don’t have it and on top of that, the defense has utterly collapsed. Xhaka has been a failure as a defensive midfielder and Coquelin was always overrated.
If Lincoln is hungry, they have a good chance.
And yes, it does seem strange that an English side would be “Lincoln.” I had no idea until a few weeks ago that “Lincoln” was English.
Comment by Gooner Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 3:42 pm
Leave it to - Barton Lorimor - to break all the rules and put us all in “Time Out”… lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 3:48 pm
Marching in the parade Sunday union refreshments following
Comment by Rabid Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 3:54 pm
===Why am I not surprised that a Republican would think uppity is still an appropriate word to use in 2017?===
Me? A Republican? Wrong wrong wrong wrong. And Oreos do taste like bum.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 4:03 pm
Since this is an Open Thread let me chime in on the @PieceofWork and @Willy dialogues of late. I have time now to comment.
@PoW - My family is 5 generations at the UofI and I am very proud to have received degrees from there - however, this is not the same institution it was in the ’70s when I graduated. It is still a GREAT University, highly regarded and more selective than some of the out of state institutions that are attracting our best High School graduates. The system has been forced to undergo many changes over the years and is in “crisis” mode now, yet, I am certain, it will survive, better than most, but the funding, or lack of it, is already having long term effects.
@Willy is absolutely correct when he points to the willful destruction of the UofI, and all of Higher Education. I can not be convinced that this is not part of the Governors plan. The University has had to make some painful changes - and without recounting all his facts, he is correct as well.
The real question is this - what can be done to improve on a good, but troubling, situation to build on the status that the UofI still maintains.
Comment by illini Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 4:04 pm
This just in: Sessions just asked for resignations of remaining U.S. attorneys appointed by Obama.
New federales jefes on the way, eventually.
Is Rauner the GOP clout for recommendations, or does Trump have other rules?
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 4:05 pm
Played golf in FL a couple of weeks ago and Da Coach was in a foursome behind us. He’s sporting a beard again.
Comment by Stones Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 4:05 pm
Well then you are a non-Republican always cheering for Republicans. Same dif.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 4:06 pm
- illini -
You split the baby exceptionally well, bud.
You’re on it from all angles. - OW
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 4:09 pm
So, US Attorneys resigning.
If Trump chooses someone with strong Rauner ties, how can Rauner not claim his connections with the White House?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 10, 17 @ 4:16 pm