Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Open thread

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* I had planned to shut down the blog yesterday for the holiday because I have a lot of errands and other stuff to do this afternoon and figured traffic would be light here, but changed my mind. I’m not sure why.

Anyway, you’re on your own for the rest of the day. Please try to be nice to each other and keep the conversation Illinois-centric. As always, you can monitor any breaking news with our live coverage post below.

* I will leave you with an excerpt from an email I received Monday from a person who worked for a former governor…

Hi Rich—someone just forwarded me your post on Karl. I did not realize he was Wordslinger! Karl was a friend of ours. … He was a great guy. We were able to stop by the memorial at Doc Ryan’s a few weeks ago and I know his family will be happy to see all the support from the Capitol Fax Blog community.

It’s like the man had two identities, along the lines of a Clark Kent or Bruce Wayne. To his family and friends, he was Karl Oxnevad, a great dude with a fine family living the good life in Oak Park. Unbeknownst to most of those folks, he was also one of the most influential voices in the state.

You cannot imagine how many political types have told me they were crushed by the news of his death. Whether they agreed with him or not, they listened to what he said.

RIP Karl. RIP Wordslinger.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 11:55 am

Comments

(Me pushing the like button.)

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 11:59 am
I was skeptical of Robert Murphy sticking with Heneghan in the Mulroe replacement process. John Arena is Murphy’s political godfather (Murphy managed his 2011 campaign) and when I saw Arena was with Martwick I figured Murphy would follow, especially since Arena would like the State Rep spot if he doesn’t get the job in the Lightfoot admin he wants

Comment by Grand Avenue Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 12:03 pm
===You cannot imagine how many political types have told me they were crushed by the news of his death. Whether they agreed with him or not, they listened to what he said.===

Two separate lives, both influencing in family and friends, an influencer of Illinois pols.

Anonymity.

Good on him for that. Good for all, actually.

I really miss him. Crushed, and heartbroken.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 12:03 pm
Here is some great at-the-scene reporting from Russ Stewart from the Mulroe replacement committee meeting:

http://www.russstewart.com/articles/2019/07-03-19.html

Comment by Grand Avenue Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 12:09 pm
Love this blog and the hard work Rich does ever day keeping us informed. But when I come here and read a post I immediately go to comments to see what Wordslinger’s take was, which was spot on, factual and/or very thoughtful. Now that’s gone. It’s feels weird and kind of empty. But seeing his daughter’s post and the incredible generosity of others towards his family is hopeful.

Comment by Baloneymous aka pool guy Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 12:23 pm
So quality reporting by the Beacon News/Trib on how Aurora is trying to get the registered sex offenders out of the large homeless shelter in downtown Aurora.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/ct-abn-mccarty-park-wayside-st-0703-20190702-dnzwabs6lvdsvepoxo7ysyqbii-dnzwabs6lvdsvepoxo7ysyqbii-story.html

For what it is worth years ago when I had an offender move by me in Aurora I was told my multiple law enforcement agnecies that the ‘poropery edge to park property edge’ was not how distance was calculated.

It’s better for everyone when the local paper is a bit adversarial vs just buying whatever the city is saying. Under the previous mayor they seemed to quick to just let stuff go. Hopefully this asking questions thing will continue.

Under the previous mayor there was a big push for non-profit, government and educational use of land downtown. The implications of that approach are now becoming more apparant.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 12:25 pm
During commenter of the year, for me Wordslinger was always in the running. I looked for others to vote for so that it wasn’t Wordslinger every year. Many of his comments were so devastatingly good. So glad I avoided any confrontations with him. He was a voice for many of us who were appalled at what was happening in Illinois recently.

Many or some can write real good, have great insight, know a lot, but Karl had political and social compassion, a trait that is an absolute necessity in my opinion for true greatness. It was easy to see how bothered he was by willful tearing apart of the social safety net over stripping the rights of “working stiffs,” as he called them.

Lots of us can be nice as individuals, but what are we politically? Karl and his beautiful, caring heart made such a deep impact. He truly can never be replaced.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 12:27 pm
Wordslinger was the mysterious commenter that we all respected, admired and wanted to emulate. His mastery of putting words into meaningful and cogent statements that we all appreciated. Arthur Andersenen ( Jon Bauman ) was another of those individuals who had insights and knowledge that he was more than willing to share with all of us.

These are two great losses to this special community.

Comment by illini Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 12:28 pm
Wordslinger

Did not always agree - but always listened

RIP

Comment by cannon649 Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 12:56 pm
I hope you’ll pick a great song to sign off for the weekend and give tribute to Wordslinger.

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 1:19 pm
GovJunk should be beamin’ Apparently his pals real estate deal (AKA Discovery Partners) is still limpin along.

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 1:30 pm
Different backgrounds. Different viewpoints. Great discussion. Words matter. Great thread.

Comment by Rural Survivor Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 1:39 pm
===Unbeknownst to most of those folks, he was also one of the most influential voices in the state.===

Not all heroes wear capes.

Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 1:51 pm
I wonder how many people that were friends of Karl are thinking back to times they discussed Capitol Fax and things Wordslinger said without ever having any idea it was him. I bet he got a kick out of that. I miss him.

Comment by Dog Lover Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 2:01 pm
great headline in the Sun Times….Cease to Exist. a bit rocky so far, but that curve ball looks sweet.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 2:07 pm
The Tigers are a good team for Cease to debut against. He gets to adjust by pitching against basically a AAAA team before he faces a real major league lineup

Comment by Grand Avenue Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 2:09 pm
@Annonin - With all respects, the Discovery Partners Institute is not only a sweet real estate deal, if it actually is, for Gov Junks friends. It may be that to a point. But as of right now the U of I has commitments for close to half of the funding for the State to match.

This is a done deal and will only benefit our state and its premier Universities.

This is probably the only initiative of our past Governor that I totally support. This is the kind of investment that has to be made.

Comment by illini Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 2:32 pm
So Pritzker was in Champaign today.

Glad to hear that the 57/74 rebuild will be funded in whole (this interchange is a nightmare) and apparently quite a few other bridge/road projects across the area. I know everyone is focused on trying to find stories of ‘common folk angry about gas tax’ but it’s nice to finally see some needed road improvements.

Comment by Nick Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 3:00 pm
Thanks mr miller for giving wordslinger a voice that was heard

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 3:48 pm
How about Dylan Cease with 6 strikeouts in his debut with Sox.

Comment by Frank talks Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 3:49 pm
I’ve been away from the computer for the last few days so I am late with my condolences to Wordslinger’s family. I am sure many have already stated more eloquently than I ever can how important he was to the success of Capitol fax. I am not a political insider and I learned so much from his posts. RIP.

Comment by G'Kar Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 4:21 pm
As a Pirates’ fan first and the Sox as my AL team, I cannot express my glee in the last two Cubs games.

Comment by G'Kar Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 4:23 pm
My condolences to Wordslinger’s family…he was a most enjoyable read and as a regular reader in an odd way he felt like extended family….that makes his passing just a bit more impactful and a bit more sad…

Comment by Sam Gove Wednesday, Jul 3, 19 @ 4:25 pm