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Former restaurant owner mulls House bid

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* Gov. Rauner has often tweeted about visiting Charlie Parker’s Diner in Springfield over the years, and now the former owner is thinking about running for the Illinois House. Bernie fills us in…

Sangamon County Republicans are asking people interested in running for the Illinois House seat now held by Rep. SARA WOJCICKI JIMENEZ, R-Leland Grove, for resumes by Sept. 1.

Jimenez announced last week she would not seek re-election in 2018. One person already showing interest in the 99th District job is MIKE MURPHY, the 63-year-old former owner of Charlie Parker’s Diner.

“I’ve been involved and interested in politics for a long time,” Murphy told me. “I have a philosophy of life (that) you try to make things better for the next generation. … Illinois was a powerhouse when I was a kid and growing up, and now we’re a long way from being a powerhouse.” […]

He and his wife, CINDY, who has been a teacher for more than 30 years, owned Charlie Parker’s — the Quonset hut with the cool display of records on the walls that has received visits from politicians including MITT ROMNEY and Gov. BRUCE RAUNER — from 2009 through their sale of the business in March. He’s now doing restaurant consulting. […]

He says he would have to know more before judging if Jimenez did the right thing by breaking with Rauner and voting for a state budget that included a tax increase. But he said the only way he would support more money to the state would be if there were “strict guidance on how that money is going to be used” to help get Illinois back to the “straight and narrow.”

“Strict guidance on how that money is going to be used.” Hmm. Like a decent state budget, perhaps?

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:22 am

Comments

===He and his wife, CINDY, who has been a teacher for more than 30 years,===

I wonder if he agrees with the Governor about pension reform?

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:24 am
Bar and restaurant owners are often good legislators.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:26 am
Is this a fiscal conservative?

Comment by blue dog dem Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:26 am
Could be a reference to spending priorities. As I’m sure his wife could tell us, too much ed money is being spent at the administrative level.

Comment by changin' Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:37 am
Does that restaurant serve them horshoe thingies?

Comment by blue dog dem Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 11:57 am
Call me when Hamburger Dan from Sunrise gets in. That business is a model of egalitarianism and competence. Charlie Parker’s is your lame uncles basement tribute to the payola era that specializes in giant pancakes. Are they good? No, but they’re giant!

Comment by LizPhairTax Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:03 pm
== Does that restaurant serve them horshoe thingies? ==

Among other items, yes. Win a national contest for one breakfast item; Mike shared the prize money with the staff.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:15 pm
he should stick to riding his bike

Comment by FLEA Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:17 pm
Not sure this is a good fit for him, but the IPI has some vacancies.

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:21 pm
I love me some Charlie Parker’s. There is never a bad time for a 16″ pancake.

I think it would be interesting having Mr. Murphy in the General Assembly.

Comment by Curl of the Burl Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:25 pm
Location was awesome
Food was mediocre and overpriced
Decor was all faux and repo

Sounds like the perfect choice for politician

Comment by Critic Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 12:48 pm
Booths cater to fatso’s. From bench to table requires the reach of an orangutan.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 24, 17 @ 2:20 pm