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* Um, OK…

The Illinois Capitol Complex is usually very busy with large rallies in April, but #coronavirus has changed the status quo. Thousands of gun owners normally fill the streets during IL Gun Lobby Day. Organizers hope they can hold their event later this fall. #twill pic.twitter.com/BR8FyIKWkZ

— Mike Miletich (@MikeMiletichTV) April 2, 2020

* The Question: What do you miss most and least about spring session? Make sure to explain your answer. Thanks.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 1:06 pm

Comments

Miss least - sessions that are supposed to end on June 30 & turning back the clock (literally). Miss most - Sen. Jack Knuppel yelling “Langhorne Bond” in the rotunda.

Comment by Stones Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 1:14 pm
Anti-vaxxer homeschool pie.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 1:15 pm
TV news is (largely) dead. This is Exhibit A.

What happened to the old adage, “in order for it to be news, first, it must happen?“ Literally, nothing happened. How can it be a story? So much good, important journalism to be done right now, and this is the focus? What a shame.

Can’t wait to turn on the evening news tonight to see this reporter ask the audience to close their eyes and imagine what might have been in an alternate universe. /s

Comment by Cronkite’s Ghost Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 1:16 pm
CG you didn’t answer the question. MF, you didn’t explain.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 1:18 pm
Least: Committee Room 413 in the Stratton Building. Worst ventilation anywhere.
Most: The tulip tree in bloom outside my office window and Magic Kitchen. No explanation needed.

Comment by Steve Reick Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 1:18 pm
Miss the least: Massive numbers of SEIU members swarming on the Capitol, but when you ask why they’re there, a solid number simply say they were told to get on the bus.

Miss the most: The IMA tent party.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 1:26 pm
I miss them because of the irony.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 1:26 pm
Speacialy Caucuses and mingling with other peeps.
Exhibits :
A. Sullivan Caucus.
B. Sportsmans Caucus
C. Latino Caucus

Comment by NorthsideNoMore Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 1:26 pm
I miss gun owner rallies the least.

I miss the general drama of the spring session the most, plus seeing legislators in my neighborhood grocery store in May.

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 1:28 pm
I miss the opportunity to sit in the gallery and see good legislation being debated, not the feel good nobody opposes bills but the ones that have a real impact on people and in my opinion are positive for the state.

I miss the least those unseasonably warm days sweating in a business suit. I love the weather just not when i have to be in a suit and am outside.

Comment by frisbee Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 1:34 pm
Most - watching big deals come together - most important was probably 2017 Veto Override.

Least - downtown Springfield streets clogged with Illinois members of the “Ike Clanton fan club” …

Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 1:36 pm
I miss wonky discussions over really obscure thing the most.

I miss insane out of touch with reality bases for policy positions from GOP members the least.

Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 1:42 pm
Most: seeing groups of schoolkids taking in the majesty of democracy and self-governance (seriously) in an ennobling setting (our Capitol building is beautiful.) Some will come back as elected officials or staff one day.

Least: Monday night fundraisers. When the ethics working group gets back to it I hope this is one practice they will recommend we ban. It looks bad and it wastes everyone’s time (which we ought to appreciate these days is actually quite precious) for a purpose that could be accomplished in other ways.

Comment by Moe Berg Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 1:43 pm
I most miss the hustle, bustle and energy of the entire legislature. It really can be invigorating, if frustrating at times.

That said, I least miss afternoon committees and the Stratton Building in general.

Comment by Cronkite’s Ghost Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 1:57 pm
What I miss most is just the entire process. Watching new bills be introduced, and tracking their progress from committee to amendments to votes. Learning about the strange details about how the sausage is actually made, specifically seeing just how many bills consist of nothing but removing the word “and” from an existing law, and replacing it with the word “and”. I’m still learning about all the reasons why this is done, and I always look forward to learning more about how the entire process works.

What I miss least is Brad Holbrook, and Allen Skillicorn. They aren’t even funny anymore, just sad.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 1:57 pm
Worst: Waiting around outside the Gov’s office on that hard marble floor for hours waiting for the “Four Tops” to come out and say basically nothing.

Also worst: That teeny-tiny afterthought of a Blue Room.

Best: just taking in the beauty of the capitol’s art & architecture and the same in the legislative chambers. Always puts me in a civic-minded do-gooder mood.

Comment by Flat Feet Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 2:10 pm
I miss seeing people I’ve known and worked with for years, but now only see in and around the Capitol, and I’m only there late in the Spring session. I miss how much earlier Spring arrives in Springfield than in Chicago. I miss Kathleen at the Globe.

I don’t miss walking the hard floors and waiting interminable lengths to see the legislators I need to see, stalking them and hounding their assistants. I’m sure they don’t miss that either.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 2:17 pm
Most…The beauty of the Capitol

Least…Tim Butler’s constant recognitions…

Comment by Wire Tap Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 2:18 pm
What I miss most about session is what I miss most about everything right now - seeing and connecting with other people. I have a lot of friends I see during and outside of session, but I also have a lot of friends that I pretty much only see during session and I miss you all (well, most of you anyway).

What do I miss least? Oh how do I count the ways? Interstate 55 probably wins, but committee hearings and check-the-box to-dos are close runner ups.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 2:24 pm
Miss most: watching the IGOLD parade struggle down the street, and wondering why so many of the men in yellow T-shirts are so overweight that they look like they could use an electric mobility cart with an oxygen tank. Wondering why so many of the men have full grey beards and look like clones of Mike Rowe, Valinda’s husband? Is it deliberate plan to imitate the appearance of the guy in TV pickup truck commercials?

Miss least: former NRA lobbyist Todd Vandermyde whipping up the troops at the convention center. So glad that NRA fired him so he can’t do any more damage.

Comment by Elmer Keith Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 2:30 pm
@Elmer Keith

What you “miss” in your rant about out of shape IGOLD participants is they are dedicated to the point that yes some of them probably should be on oxygen, but they are marching for what they believe in. What do you believe in?

Miss Least: Email alerts that there has been the 10th rules report…by 2:00pm

Miss the Most: Lou Lang in the chair. I realize he has been out for a bit but man could he charge through the calendar.

Comment by Dudley Magoo Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 2:46 pm
From my time as a staffer many, many years ago. . .
Most: Watching big things happen;
Least: Standing on the House floor for 18 hour days, destroying one’s feet.

Comment by Lt Guv Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 2:49 pm
Miss the least: having to travel and be away from my family during the week

Miss the most: seeing the bills I was working get passed

Comment by Hired gun Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 2:55 pm
Most: Friends and the social interaction.
Least: Stratton Cafeteria. Yuck.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 3:50 pm
Miss: school orchestras noontime performances.
Least: the daily uncertainty of when the chambers will adjourn.

Comment by Cook street Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 4:09 pm
Stones you must have been around when I first came to Springfield. Most people on here wouldn’t understand Langhorne Bond.

Comment by For,erGOPer Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 5:03 pm
Magoo what you said…Believing in the Constitution good place to start IMO … I’ll take that as my level set regardless of the issue and that applies to the State as well. Really miss the interaction with all the good folks in the business that many of us are committed to. Hope All of You are Safe and Well.

Comment by theCardinal Thursday, Apr 2, 20 @ 8:40 pm