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* From 2019…
Charlie Wheeler has forgotten more about the Illinois Legislature than most reporters will ever know — and he hasn’t forgotten much, least of all the time an ill-tempered state senator purposely dumped a bowl of hot soup on him.
Longtime readers of the Chicago Sun-Times might remember Wheeler by his elegant byline, Charles N. Wheeler III, matched by the equally elegant writing style he used to explain the legislative complexities in a way everyone could understand.
More recent readers might know him for his insightful comments, offered from his perch as director of the public affairs reporting program at the University of Illinois-Springfield, where he has helped mold a generation of top young journalists.
Wheeler, 77, is retiring this summer after an amazing 50-year run as a close observer of the Springfield scene — the first 24 years with the Sun-Times, the last 26 running the reporting program.
* Today is Charlie’s 80th birthday, so I thought we could honor our occasional blog commenter with a caption contest…
Happy birthday, Charlie!
…Adding… From Charlie…
Hi Rich,
Thank you so much for the kind words in your post about my birthday in yesterday’s Capfax. Thanks too to all the commenters who responded to your captions request, they really gave me a chuckle, especially those relating to my Santa Claus-like appearance and presumed octogenarian tastes. In my defense, I’d mention that I have heard of ear buds, but unfortunately they don’t work well when your ears are already plugged with hearing aids, thus the traffic controller headset.
I would have included my thanks as a Point of Personal Privilege in the comments section, but I spent most of the day with my daughter and grandkids, and by the time I saw the post, I figured it was too late to add anything. But I did want to let you know that I appreciate the shout out.
Cheers, and happy Thanksgiving!
Charlie
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 11:40 am
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Previous Post: Some political updates
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Growing tired of static created by tin foil hat wearers, Wheeler adopted an “I can’t hear you” pic for his Official UIS Portrait,
Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 11:44 am
After spending the pandemic losing a bit of weight and learning how to Zoom, Santa Claus is ready to get back to work in-person this year.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 11:45 am
Walter White, Mall Santa.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 11:48 am
Point of Information,
Charlie Wheeler is a treasure. Happy Birthday from a big fan and admirer.
Respectfully,
Oswego Willy
:)
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 11:50 am
… while listening to Metallica… on “11”…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 11:51 am
… while listening to his favorite podcast “Wonk and Hack”…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 11:53 am
Wow (exclamation point) Burl Ives lost a lot of weight during the pandemic.
Comment by Jocko Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 11:54 am
… while listening to old Bill Black rants, “the greatest hits”…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 11:55 am
Happy 80th sir! Apple has these things called “earbuds” now. Much more discrete than Air Traffic Controller headphones.
BTW, I do recall the incident with John Knuppel
Comment by Stones Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 11:55 am
Not a caption, but anyone looking for a weekly dose of Charlie’s insight should subscribe to the NPR Illinois “State Week” podcast:
https://www.npr.org/podcasts/381443849/state-week
Happy birthday, Professor Wheeler‼
– MrJM
Comment by MisterJayEm Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 11:56 am
“Charlie Wheeler is honored by a sports trading card company as the first in a line called ‘Journalism’s Superstars’. Stats on the back include his years of reporting, hometown, and other fun facts. Collect the whole series.”
Comment by thisjustinagain Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 11:58 am
… while listening to old Rickey Hendon radio ads…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 11:58 am
Narrator: … so the Feds brought in this professor, Charlie Wheeler, to explain what was actually being said on the taps. For hours he sat there, tape after tape…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 12:01 pm
Going through the Who’s Naughty and Who’s Nice lists on Audible.
Happy Birthday!
Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 12:02 pm
There’s only one headphone that Charlie Wheeler trusts for his zoom calls, Beats by Dre. Beats by Dre, when you really want to feel like your on General Assembly floors
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 12:06 pm
What a treasure! Happy Birthday
Comment by Grateful Gail Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 12:09 pm
Charlie Wheeler, the second contestant for the “Fast Money” round of Family Feud
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 12:09 pm
While waiting for the podcast to begin, please enjoy Wilson Phillips’ “Hey Santa.”
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 12:11 pm
Charlie Wheeler is the gold standard for decency and articulation and eloquence and an example of the very best that journalism and public reporting have to offer us. Listening to State Week in Review is like attending a weekly master class in politics and history in Illinois.
Happy birthday Charlie.
Comment by Name Withheld Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 12:12 pm
The Greatest.
Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 12:15 pm
… while listening and enjoying the countless past students on their podcasts…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 12:18 pm
Charlie enjoys the latest download from 30 Days of Dead: “Touch Of Grey, New Minglewood Blues, Ramble On Rose”
https://www.dead.net/30daysofdead
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 12:18 pm
“While also waiting to start, Charlie, what’s your prognosis on Rochester-SHG this weekend?”
Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 12:18 pm
The Beard…Homeric!
Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 12:19 pm
… while listening to the Abbey Road master recordings of Spinal Tap…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 12:22 pm
“Headphone Headshot: Only one man can represent class and generational relevance. Wheeler, Charlie Wheeler.”
Comment by CentristsRUs Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 12:24 pm
Charlie Wheeler does David Letterman impersonator at baptisms, birthday parties, and barmivitmas.
Comment by Moi Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 12:25 pm
… while listening to the Boat Drink Caucus, “Live and Still Caucusing” tour recordings…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 12:28 pm
“…filling in for Doctor Demento tonight, Choo-choo Charlie Wheeler, and with a GOP primary coming up, it’s allllmost Funny Five Time….”
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 12:35 pm
… while listening to Rabine, Schimpf, Bailey, and Sullivan pretend to actually address pension reforms…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 12:37 pm
… while listening to “We’re All Crazy in Chicago” by Johnny B… on repeat…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 12:40 pm
Over the years, Charlie learned that politicians talk a lot, but don’t listen much. So, he ditched the microphone because he wasn’t using it anyway.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 1:00 pm
Content Rating - 10/10
Room Rating - 3/10
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 1:05 pm
“Retired, Journalist, Professor and part-time Santa”
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 1:11 pm
Very few people can work turntables and look good wearing a double-Windsor tie knot while doing it like Chee Whizzle…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 1:34 pm
He is re-creating the moment when he beat Charles Van Doren on the game show twenty-one
Comment by Jocko Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 1:44 pm
Former Sen. Knuppel calling in (from where?) to Charlie on radio show claiming he really did trip on the carpet and please send him your dry cleaning bill.
Comment by Jo Jo Monkeyboy Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 2:49 pm
..oh and happy birthday!
Comment by Jo Jo Monkeyboy Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 2:50 pm
Professor Charlie Wheeler, Fortnite Savage
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 2:51 pm
Stones, wearing full earphones isn’t just an age thing. Buds don’t fit well in some folks ears. I’m one of those. I’ve tried, but they continually fall out. That’s frustrating and not worth the hassle.
Comment by Lt Guv Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 3:09 pm
So the sleigh still has a cookie/cocoa dispenser plus I also get Spotify? Ho, Ho, Ho!
Comment by 37B Thursday, Nov 18, 21 @ 4:04 pm