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* UPDATED x1 * We have a new Speaker!

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* My headlines are automatically posted on Twitter, so this one was specifically designed to freak out those folks. The real story here is that Illinois Retail Merchants Association President and CEO Rob Karr has been elected the new Speaker of the Third House, an organization for lobbyists.

The group held its annual holiday party today via Zoom. Outgoing Speaker Julie Sullivan joked that she had the honor of hosting the lamest Third House party ever. But it did have the smallest bar tab.

Anyway, congrats to Rob, who does a fine job with IRMA. I looked around and couldn’t find a suitable photo to use for a caption contest, so we’ll just have to settle for this story from The Onion that’s going around this week…

GAITHERSBURG, MD—Plotting out a career path that would enable him to one day land his dream job, aspiring lobbyist Christopher Talley told reporters Wednesday that he’d been able to get his foot in the door as a state senator. “Obviously I can’t jump right into my dream gig, but being a state senator and nominally representing the people of this district for a few years will help me work my way up the ladder to something actually worthwhile,” said Talley, who won a state senate seat in November as the first part of his personal 15-year plan to someday pursue the financial interests of agribusiness conglomerates in Washington. “Being in a state senate seat is kind of like having some control over how the government works for business, so this will help me get my feet wet and prove to potential lobbying firm employers that I have what it takes to network with people in the government biz. The money’s not great right now on a public servant salary, but this is just the first step to getting into the House of Representatives, maybe a mid-city mayorship, and finally make it to the lobbyist level. I can’t wait.” Talley also admitted that it did make him nervous to see how many of his state senate colleagues were also competing to be lobbyists someday.

*** UPDATE *** OK, now we got us a caption contest. Here’s Rob Karr at the 1990 holiday party…

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:01 am

Comments

Mr. Karr: a class act, a professional, good luck..

Comment by NotRich Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:02 am
The headline worked. It jolted me for a couple of seconds.

Comment by The Dude Abides Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:04 am
Well-deserved. Karr is top notch and worked his tail off this year for his members

Comment by Centennial Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:07 am
well played sir….well played

Comment by BerwynBob Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:10 am
Thanks for getting my pulse moving this morning Rich. Your headline worked. I saw the tweet and got giddy for a moment.

Comment by Draznnl Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:14 am
Nearly spit out my coffee laughing out loud. Grat onion article.

Comment by Left of the Lake Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:20 am
I wondered what happened to Speaker Pelosi.

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:22 am
Karr is a true pro. Have worked with him as public an private sector lobbyist and agency legislative staffer. He understands listening to all sides and crafting policy that reflects the best idea.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:22 am
Why, you…I ought to…

Comment by Tom Collins Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:25 am
If you are in the market for a new speaker this holiday season, I HIGHLY recommend this $100 Sonos model from Ikea: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/symfonisk-wifi-bookshelf-speaker-black-00357561/

Great sound and easy to use by itself or incorporated with Sonos system.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:35 am
Well this headline got my attention.

Comment by Levois J Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:49 am
You’re mean Rich. I was all like “No f***ing way MJM caved this fast.” Clicked at the speed of light

Comment by Perrid Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 10:53 am
Which one is Rob?

Comment by Hmm Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:20 am
“And that’s not all I want”

Comment by walker Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:24 am
Rob sitting on Santa Rich’s lap.

Comment by Chatham Resident Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:24 am
Who knew Mike Z moonlighted as a holiday Santa…

Comment by View from the Cheap Seats Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:28 am
Santa: “That tie ain’t gonna age well.”

Comment by Santa Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:37 am
You want to represent ISRA? No way kid, you’ll shoot your eye out.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 11:54 am
He is no Vite — but then who is? He will be just fine. Sullie should get a mulligan during a normal year
BTW someone should FOI the “19″ for all emails and text sent in the 20 minutes after this headline appeared to see who thought who got double crossed, etc.

Comment by Annoin' Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 12:02 pm
“I’m really over being Baise’s driver. Can you get me a new job for Christmas?”

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 12:10 pm
“Young man, hurry up and tell me what you want for Christmas. I’m running late for the Governor-elect Edgar Christmas party.”

Comment by Chatham Resident Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 12:14 pm
-Rich and @misterjayem - thanks for the laughs.

Comment by Mama Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 2:14 pm
Rob is a great pick for the position

Comment by Just Curious Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 3:31 pm
As a former Speaker, Rob is one of the finest people I have ever known. He represents his industry well. And don’t forget, he ably replaced a pretty competent guy.

Comment by Old Lobster Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 4:08 pm
Rob Karr is the best. No better person to be found in Springfield.

Comment by Shytown Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 4:58 pm