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Saying Illinois could become the epicenter of a “clean transportation revolution,” Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday signed the Reimagining Electric Vehicles in Illinois Act during a visit to the Rockford region.

Pritzker signed the law championed by Illinois state Rep. Dave Vella and state Sen. Steve Stadelman during a visit to the future home of the Rock Valley College Advanced Technology Center in Belvidere. The facility focused on advanced manufacturing education is expected to open in 2022.

“With this bill, we intend to attract more EV manufacturers, charging station manufacturers and automotive parts manufacturers than ever before and help Illinois to become one of the leading EV hubs in the entire nation,” Pritzker said.

“With this new focus on electric vehicles, our state can also become a leader in the clean transportation revolution. Electric school buses, electric municipal buses, electric delivery trucks, electric 18-wheelers and so much more.”

After the presentation, the governor offered to take questions from the media. Nobody spoke up. “OK,” he said after a pause. “That was the easiest press conference I ever had.”

* We’ve seen time and time again on this blog that whenever I post a question having to do with the Illinois Senate, it gets almost no responses. So, I’m wondering, could the presence of this man behind Pritzker have somehow caused reporters to clam up?…

Yes, it’s the comment-killer himself, Don Harmon. And his trusty sidekick John Patterson (also a notorious comment killer) was at the event as well.

* The Question: Why don’t you like to answer questions about the Illinois Senate?

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 2:36 pm

Comments

When I think of the Senate, I think of Emil Jones. And I don’t want to think about Emil Jones. 1/2 /s

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 2:39 pm
=crickets=

Comment by thechampaignlife Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 2:40 pm
Patterson IS a growing force.

Comment by ANNON'IN Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 2:42 pm
What is wrong with local media reporters that there is a live Governor standing right there offering to take questions… And they ask… Nothing? It’s not the first time, or just this governor. The Third Estate is comatose, apparently.

Comment by Give Us Barabbas Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 2:43 pm
For me?

The House is like an ongoing drama/comedy that has colorful characters, convoluted and intricate storylines, and folks willing to be both mocked and celebrated

The Senate makes C-Span2’s coverage of a “Quorum Call” seem more exciting than the 59 senators we have milling about.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 2:43 pm
Because Madigan.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 2:44 pm
===It’s not the first time, or just this governor===

It also happened to Rauner in Rockford.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 2:44 pm
Blinded by the light?

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 2:47 pm
I’m also a big fan of Patterson, his elusiveness, overall, has probably made him a moving target for me, at least.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 2:48 pm
We have a Senate?

Comment by Ok Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 2:49 pm
If the governor answers a question, and it does not match what they have already written, then what? They have to go back and rewrite??

C’mon Rich, these guys have deadlines and cigar lounges to get to. Not everyone has the time or energy to be accurate? What do you take them for, Rich Miller?

/s

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 2:50 pm
Harmon and Lex Luther… never in the same place?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 2:56 pm
===Why don’t you like to answer questions about the Illinois Senate?===

It’s kind of like getting your teeth cleaned, you know you should do it regularly, but it’s just too easy to forget about it. There is always something else to do instead.

Or eating vegetables. The Senate is that green thing on your plate that you put there to show you understand how a healthy diet is supposed to look even though you have no intention of actually eating it.

That’s the Senate. We know we need it, but it’s just not terribly interesting right now.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 2:56 pm
Would have been interesting for someone from the media to ask the Governor for a response to Georgia and Rivian. Granted, not a done deal, but Georgia’s is after the same claim to EV fame that Illinois is pursuing. https://www.ajc.com/news/rivian-may-build-electric-vehicle-plant-in-georgia/RWLUPO24KJB35BZ6EGQWLMEVRU/

Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 2:57 pm
First rule of the Illinois Senate… you do not talk about the Illinois Senate?

Maybe? No?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 3:01 pm
Quite a day for Stellantis to announce 400 layoffs at their plant in Belvidere.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 3:02 pm
We’re all afraid of The Butcher.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 3:08 pm
== Too bad no one asked Jay Bob if he had a plan to make sure Rivian stays economically viable here long term.==

Is Jay Bob like, a Rivian executive or something? Someone who’s job it is to make sure their business is viable? ‘Cause that ain’t state government’s job.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 3:10 pm
Turtle Wax?

Comment by Dotnonymous Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 3:11 pm
==Of course, they gave not yet produced truck #1 yet, so such long range thinking may be premature.==

Technically, not true. Just this morning in another thread on this blog, someone said they saw one this morning parked in a farmer’s field. Also, there’s this from about three weeks ago:

https://insideevs.com/news/542908/rivian-production-numbers-first-month/

Comment by Dysfunction Junction Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 3:13 pm
Because Madigan … for decades allowed them to hide in plain sight …

Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 3:18 pm
Back when I was a newspaper reporter - a long time ago - I rarely asked questions of the Governor or a statewide official at a press conference. I would wait until the TV and radio guys turned off their mikes and then ask my questions. That way they didn’t get my story on camera or tape.

Comment by Suburbanon Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 3:22 pm
It just doesn’t draw the interest or attention right now. Not colorful, scandalous, politically intriguing, or frankly that active. Just bland and sort of there. It would be akin to trying to drive interest for a message board on… oatmeal.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 3:26 pm
Because the adults in the room are always the boring ones

Comment by This Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 3:28 pm
===Technically, not true.===

Totally not true, which is why it was deleted.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 3:35 pm
- This - Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 3:28 pm:

Because the adults in the room are always the boring ones

As a former Senate staffer, it doesn’t surprise me at all. The House (Romper Room) has always been about flash, and we had to clean up the mess after it came across. Having elections every two years has its consequences, and they manifest as undeserved attention.

Comment by House of Lords Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 3:40 pm
===Totally not true===

There is a Rivian IN THIS PHOTO for crying out loud. Rivian’s IPO was so successful the company has a book value higher than Ford or GM.

The stupidity of some people continues to amaze me.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 3:42 pm
===The stupidity of some people===

Let’s get back to the question while the bots reboot.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 3:44 pm
Where was Amy Jacobson when you need her?

Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 3:44 pm
Maybe Patterson is a genius solely because he’s single-handedly made an entire legislative body be the purist essence of a proverbial Mushroom?

Not a member, not members, an entire half of a branch of government.

And no one seems to care?

I say “Bravo”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 3:46 pm
I don’t know how you do it every day Rich. But I’m glad you do.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 3:46 pm
Two things:
1. Everyone is still recovering from the Senate removing Blago from office.
2. Can you imagine the comments Senate President Pate Philip would have generated? Be thankful times have changed.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 3:48 pm
“Because the adults in the room are always the boring ones”

Before seeing this I was about to type “because the Senate is boring. And in this case, being boring is a very good thing indeed.”

Comment by New Day Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 3:57 pm
Q. Why dont…

A. The senate would like to create an even playing field for all businesses throughout the state.

Comment by Blue Dog Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 4:01 pm
A veteran Springfield observer shared a baseball analogy with me after the Congressional map passed last month, which true to form, was chaotic in the House and boring in the Senate.

He said the Senate is like a center fielder who reads the scouting report, positions himself in the right spot, gets a good jump, and runs down the fly ball without leaving his feat. The House is the player who’s caught flat-footed when the ball is hit his way. He takes a step the wrong direction, but immediately recovers, and after an all-out sprint, makes a spectacular diving catch. In both cases, the result is the same: an out. But the House player makes all the highlight shows.

Comment by Simi Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 4:14 pm
Because the Senate never had a bedsheet ballot.

Comment by Keyrock Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 4:18 pm
When I think of the Illinois Senate, my first thought is of Phil Rock. Efficient, effective, and truthful, so to most reporters, nothin’ doin. And, they didn’t want to hear Thompson or Edgar praise him.

Comment by Springfieldish Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 4:25 pm
As noted above, it can’t be overstated the difference in the time we live if Pate were wielding the gavel.

Instead of walking back statements, Patterson had the luxury of a quip, a snip, and a tip kind of Senate

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 4:31 pm
Everyone knows that within 30 minutes of Rockford if you ask a question about the State Senate that Rick Neilson loses a guitar.

They just don’t talk about it.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 4:43 pm
Don Harmon said he’d take my thumbs, Rich‼

My thumbs‼

– MrJM

Comment by MisterJayEm Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 5:07 pm
Are you kidding? Harmon is quite clearly an energy vampire: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1515989/?ref_=tt_cl_t_5

https://whatwedointheshadows.fandom.com/wiki/Colin_Robinson

No one wants to mess with an energy vampire.

Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 5:45 pm
Looks like the president is giving thumbs down

Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 6:52 pm
Everyone likes Harmon, so their is little public conflict, so there is no news.

Comment by Thomas Paine Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 9:38 pm
I do love electric vehicles… I don’t love how Illinois jacked electric vehicle registration to $1000/year and the public has already forgotten about that tidbit.

I know, I know… You have to recoup that lost fuel tax revenue. Why don’t we just spend a little less and make it more attractive to those that may be leaning towards EV?

Comment by UpNrunin Wednesday, Nov 17, 21 @ 7:35 am