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Question of the day

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* Sen. Darren Bailey chatted recently with Quad Cities TV news person Jim Niedelman about his political career to date…

Just three short years ago whenever Cindy and I decided to step up for this journey, it was because we as normal Illinoisans are fed up, we’re tired and we’re concerned about the future for our children.

That got me to wondering what “normal” is.

* The Question: Do you consider yourself to be a normal Illinoisan? Explain.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:19 pm

Comments

No, because I regularly read and post on Capitol Fax. Anyone who does that is unusually- and perhaps unhealthily, lol- bothered by state politics.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:24 pm
No, I’m a goo-goo.

Comment by Keyrock Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:24 pm
No, I am not normal.

The grandiose nature of Bailey’s statement, and the lack of self-awareness are mind boggling. Most “normal” Illinoisans have not taken millions in free money from the Federal government.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:26 pm
No. Because I have no idea what they mean by “normal Illinoisans”. and also why does normal matter?

Comment by Amalia Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:26 pm
Definitely not since 2008.

Although I strongly disagree 10,000-plus % with his personal COVID views and handling in his workplace, I have agreed with Dave Ramsey’s view of “normal” since I took his class at church in 2008: “Normal is Broke–Be Weird.”

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:27 pm
Also, I am a resident of Chatham, Illinois, not Normal, Illinois.

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:27 pm
No, I don’t live in Normal.

Comment by ChicagoVinny Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:27 pm
Yep, I am normal but I DO NOT believe in detaching the Chicago economic engine from the rest of the state.

Comment by The Old Man Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:29 pm
I define “normal Illinoisans” as “fans of the Chicago Cubs” and the rest of the people are sort of strange but that’s just me.

Comment by Crash Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:29 pm
Has anyone here ever met Darren and Cindy?

I think they are normal, as far as people of faith are normal. They talk it, walk it, live it. It’s genuine, it’s not an act.

I personally am not a person of strong religious convictions, yet I support the religious convictions of others and religious freedom for everyone.

I am comfortable being around people like Darren and Cindy.

BTW: Did anyone see Darren Bailey’s press conference from the roof of Pastor Brooks’ church in Woodlawn this morning?
https://livestream.com/blueroomstream/events/9965362?t=1638194950

Comment by We've never had one before Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:31 pm
==No, I don’t live in Normal.==

Same here. I’m more of a Shirley guy. And no, my name is not Laverne.

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:34 pm
There is no such thing as normal and our divirsity is what makes us great (and some of us not so great).

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:35 pm
Adding, this morning during a court appearance I had to make a very quick judgment as to whatever the German Shepherd Dog just ran off with might be dangerous and destructive and if so, should I ask for a two minute continuance to address the issue.

I elected to hope for the best and assume she ran off to be chased rather than destructive and in making that choice, I acted in the manner of any normal Illinoisan.

Comment by Crash Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:37 pm
=== Most “normal” Illinoisans have not taken millions in free money from the Federal government.===

Yeah, my member of Congress and her husband have received over 940K in federal farm subsidies yet they rail against “socialism” programs to help poor people or build roads.

I’m not a normal Illinoisan, either. I actually value the opinions and cultures of those different from mine, despite growing up in rural Kankakee County and having lived in Springfield and other parts of the state. I’m not extreme thus I can’t be “normal” like the Baileys.

Comment by Saluki with a Job Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:38 pm
I used to live in Normal when I went to school there. A lot of students used to call it “Abnormal Illinois” at that time. (A long, long time ago.)

Comment by DuPage Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:38 pm
Normal? Probably not. At 69 I still play with cars … especially with 4 Checkers sitting in the garage. And owning an all steel Lustron home eligible for the National Historic Registry (there’s another clue to identify me if anyone cares to). Oh yeah, I’m also a Cubs fan married to a Red Sox fan.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:41 pm
That’s polite of Bailey to characterize himself as “normal” (which would mean I am an extremely abnormal Illinoisan).

I think what he really means is he is a “real” Illinoisan. Anyone who is different from him is just a phony.

Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:41 pm
I am far, far from normal. And grateful, although it is frustrating at times.

My high school buddies who stayed in Kankakee instead of going to college or finding greener pastures? They are normal Illinoisans.

Illinois is a land of wide horizons and low expectations.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:42 pm
== Do you consider yourself to be a normal Illinoisan ==

I am the only normal person. Much like Wonko The Sane

He lives in an inside-out house overlooking the Pacific Ocean. That is, to visit you park on the carpet. There’s a sign on the wall that reads, “Come Outside.” He considers the rest of the world to be “The Asylum,” because it seemed to him that any civilization that had so far lost its head as to need to include a set of detailed instructions for use in a package of toothpicks was no longer a civilization in which he could live and stay sane.

Comment by OneMan Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:43 pm
I’m a “normal” citizen of Illinois who is sick of downstate rural candidates who are the constant voices of old white people who hate everything and anything that doesn’t look, speak, act, worship or think like they do.

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:44 pm
I live in Normal so I suppose I am truly normal for sure. My guess is that the statement by Bailey has a specific type of pointing for support. My guess is also we are pretty divided in Illinois. That said for the first time I have thought about moving to escape mostly the climate. Many places much worse to live that Illinois. You just cannot take the wonderful dirt for growing corn and beans but we sadly do and I am not a farmer. Just the facts, soil is our resource.

Comment by clec dcn Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:45 pm
If Bailey is normal, then I am proud to be abnormal.

Comment by Manchester Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:46 pm
BTW, politics is the only walk of life where everyone tries to claim that they’re normal when they’re not. In every other context, people are falling all over themselves to demonstrate how unique and special they are.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:47 pm
I got to ask what’s a “normal” Illinoisian. I consider myself a common man. An everday Illinoisian trying to live his life the way he sees fit and who hopes that this state will be the place he can stay as opposed to moving to more prosperous locales. The answer would be no to the question.

Comment by Levois J Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:48 pm
I am absolutely not Normal
Normal is boring. Who would want to be normal?

Comment by S Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:49 pm
Not to be glib or snarky;

I think normal is conformity to what your tribe of people rally around as the standard to be one within your chosen group.

It’s a state of mind to feel part of what one wants to be seen as the standard.

As to being a normal Illinoisan?

If I apply the criteria above to myself, “probably”, but probably is doing a lot of work.

The negativity Illinoisans show towards their state is disappointing. That is “not normal” as I see one feeling about their state… so…

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:50 pm
If he’s normal, then I must be absolutely insane.

Comment by Ryan Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:53 pm
No, I consider myself an insider because I read Cap Fax every day.

Comment by Siriously Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:54 pm
That’s where an interviewer needs to stop and ask Bailey to elaborate on what a “normal” Illinoisan is (or an abnormal one for that matter). Getting an explanation of that from Bailey could have been telling. The really good interviewers would have pressed even if a couple later topics were missed.

Comment by Independent Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:55 pm
Bailey is dog-whistling here, where “normal” means “white and non-urban.” That’s not me. Whether that’s the median Illinoisan is another question.

Comment by Benjamin Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:58 pm
Normal and abnormal are constructs that are too subjective to quantify. Bailey probably meant ‘average’ but that’s difficult to define as well unless put into a specific context i.e. income, family size, etc. This would be a better discussion to have at 4:20.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 1:58 pm
I must not be normal because I did not receive millions in government subsidies to run my business like Senator Bailey. The voice of the “conservative” movement in Illinois

Comment by Numbers matter Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:01 pm
So Darren Bailey and his wife are normal. I’ve never met them, but the way he has handled the pandemic even when his own family member had the virus. If that’s normal I’m happy being just the opposite. He puts his political agenda before everything and that’s surely not what Illinois needs in Springfield.

Comment by Club J Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:04 pm
Anyone who reads CapFax is inherently not a normal Illinoisan.

Comment by new kid on the block Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:08 pm
RNUG- It’s not in Normal, but close and sold in June this year… https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/3-Oakland-Ct_Bloomington_IL_61701_M72821-20798

To the post… I doubt that Bailey’s narrow definition of “normal” would include me. But I did attend ISNU nee ISU, and was Normal for my time there:)

Comment by Anon221 Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:13 pm
No. I’ve learned sadly that intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and actually caring for others is not the norm in this state.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:14 pm
I suspect that we all think we’re “normal” to some extent and tend to surround ourselves with like “normal” people. The question is how common is our “normal.” I suspect that Darren Bailey is seen as quite normal to downstate residents. But no so much in our more populated areas. I encounter very few friends and neighbors who see being pro-Covid as “normal.”

Comment by Pundent Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:16 pm
Oh, Darren…there ‘ya go with labels. Would a normal (sane) person blast a stack of papers with a shotgun to destroy the Illinois budget?

Too much reading for you?

Comment by Rudy’s teeth Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:31 pm
No Rich. I think everyone is crazy but you and me. And sometimes I wonder about you.

Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:34 pm
Yes. Absolutely. Of course. I am completely normal. A completely normal Illinoisan. Uh huh. And don’t forget it.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:36 pm
We would like to say “yes” on the normal questions, but we vote in elections, understand services and programs require funding and think all the this local control/personal choice stuff ought carry through to every thing. We think even the whacks would concur, but then who could they boss around?

Comment by Annonin' Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:37 pm
RNUG - past posts indicate that you and I share a native hood. There are a couple of those Lustron homes around there. If I were wittier I might be able to figure out which one is yours. And I thought my love of Ramblers put me well outside the norm, but Checkers? That’s as eclectic as it gets…

Comment by Captain Obvious Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:37 pm
“Do you consider yourself to be a normal Illinoisan?”

No. I work for the gubment. I’m here to hep y’all.

Comment by Huh? Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:39 pm
Why did he use the word normal and not average?

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:39 pm
I always figured I was within +/- 3 standard deviations of being normal

Comment by very old soil Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:39 pm
I don’t know what normal means, it’s awfully subjective, but I feel secure in agreeing with the commenters who have said that anyone reading this is not normal. I’m just as secure in believing there is absolutely nothing normal about Beetle Bailey either.

But the real question is, did RNUG get Big Jim’s old Checker? Inquiring minds want to know

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:41 pm
I work hard, pay my taxes, vote in (almost) every election and expect competent and responsive leadership (which fortunately returned with the 2018 and 2020 elections).

Comment by jackmac Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:41 pm
Agree with OW — “Normality” always requires a reference point or a baseline, usually external. I’m not interested in measuring myself against such b/c doing so imposes an assumption that conformity is automatically good. It’s not. I have my own set of principles by which I act, based on serious reflection about how one should live. I don’t push those on other people, either the principles or their consequences.

As for Bailey, his is an insidious form of “normalcy” that is best described as controlling, not norming.

Comment by Flapdoodle Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:46 pm
I am a 5th generation Illinoisan. My kids and grandkids the 6th and 7th gen. Family is both farmers and Chicago area. Mostly Catholic schools, but not all. So I consider myself and family to be normal. If not, who is?

Comment by Banish Misfortune Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:48 pm
I don’t know if I’m normal, but then who would the -un-normal- Illinoisans be?

Comment by Inland Nobody Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:57 pm
Darren, here’s a better script…”because we as ( remove normal) Illinoisans are fed up (with what—explain), we’re tired (of what—explain), and we’re concerned about the future (explain).

Too many empty words, Darren. Content is lacking.

Comment by Rudy’s teeth Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 3:02 pm
Sure, I’m perfectly normal. I grew up in downstate farm country, live in suburbs, work in Chicago and read CapFax. That’s normal, right?

Comment by Suburbanon Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 3:02 pm
I’m from Kappa. It’s just a little bit above Normal.

Comment by repete Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 3:08 pm
- Joe Bidenopolous -

No, I do not have either of Big Jim’s Checkers. As best as I can tell from research, they were likely scrapped.

- Anon221 -

I’m familiar with a lot of the homes in the State. And quite active in various preservation groups for the homes.

- Captain Obvious -

All but one were built in the same neighborhood. And not many. So yeah, you could figure it out if you wanted to.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 3:21 pm
- Banish Misfortune - you got me thinking. I’m 5th generation also on at least one line. I know for sure my great-great grandfather was in Springfield in 1850 … maybe before.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 3:35 pm
Yes, I am normal– that is, I am a white man. That’s what Darren’s getting at, right?

Comment by 47th and Lake Park Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 3:36 pm
Normal, just like Abby:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH97lImrr0Q

Comment by SAP Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 3:43 pm
If Bailey believes that “normal” means assigning any chance that he can become governor then consider me very abnormal.

Comment by don the legend Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 3:44 pm
“ …it was because we as normal Illinoisans are fed up,…”

It sounds like he is using the word “normal”, to (wink, wink) distinguish himself and his followers from people who are not like him… elites, urbanites, law breakers, mask wearers, insert your favorite pejorative.

Comment by Langhorne Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 4:02 pm
Statistically speaking, “normal” for Illinois would be living in Cook or the collar counties and voting for Democrats. I somehow doubt that Bailey will see the support of “normal” Illinoisans.

Comment by duck duck goose Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 4:09 pm
If Bailey’s negativity is normal, I’m glad I’m not normal.

Comment by Mama Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 4:16 pm
Is anyone else as annoyed about the fact that he mentions Cindy by name in practically every statement he makes? I sometimes wonder if they are, in fact, two separate people or if they’re joined at the hip.

Comment by Osborne Smith III Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 4:29 pm
I over to Normal specifically to be a Normal, Illinoisan. Nobody else has a claim to that except us 55,000ish.

Comment by TJ Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 4:34 pm
What a question, lol.

I was thinking that the second definition of “normal” might well apply to Sen. Bailey in that he seems to be at a right angle to most of the residents of the state.

As for me, I think Sen. Bailey would, at first glance, take me as his version of normal (white, middle-aged, male). But I’m also mask-wearing, vaccinated, and educated enough to see him for the self-aggrandizing huckster that he is; so, he would not consider me to be normal if he got to know me even a little bit.

To the question: Am I “usual, average, or typical”?

Yes, in some categories; no, in others.

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/IL/PST045219
https://datausa.io/profile/geo/illinois

Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 4:34 pm
I’m normal for the section of the State I reside in. Not normal if I go a few hours North, South, East or West.

Comment by May Soon Be Required Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 4:36 pm
Yes, I do, but I suspect that under whatever standard Bailey is using, he may not consider me a “normal Illinoisan” because I disagree with him on many issues.

Also not to digress, but, given Bailey’s participation in the resolution to make Chicago its own state, I very much doubt that Bailey and I would agree on what constitutes an “Illinoisan”.

Comment by Bourbon Street Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 4:40 pm
Normal downstate is way different than Chicagoland normal.
And that’s ok.
And I agree, the readers of capitol fax are not normal Illinoisans.

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 4:55 pm
Well, I was born in Normal so . . .

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 4:56 pm
Of course I consider myself normal. Everyone else seems to disagree on that point.

Comment by Odysseus Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 5:07 pm
Just noticed that Lucky Pierre has not answered this question. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 5:18 pm
No. If Darren Bailey is what passes as normal, I want to be as abnormal as possible.

Bailey’s language here is intentional. He wants his followers to see themselves as normal and everything that is different from them as not normal, and everything not normal is bad.

Comment by Candy Dogood Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 5:29 pm
yes. a normal Illinoisan loves the distinct 4 seasons. spring. fall. summer hot hu.id
winter. windy. cold. that’s normal.

Comment by Blue Dog Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 5:55 pm
Bailey is a normal hypocrite, maybe even above average

Comment by Elliott Ness Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 6:35 pm
I will quote my junior high band director on when we played at the Illinois Wesleyan jazz fest in Bloomington. “For most of you, this is the closest to normal you are very going to get.”

Comment by DTown Resident Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 7:35 pm
Well, as a “Yooper in Diaspora,” probably not. But there is not one Illinois. I felt more at home during my years in Chicago than I do where I live now in west central Illinois (forests and Great Lakes are more native to me than cornfields), but which of these places is “more” normal Illinois? I heard Finnish and Slovenian spoken growing up in Upper Michigan, so in that respect Chicago is more “normal” to me in its immigrant diversity than my current spot in Illinois. Insofar as Illinois welcomes people from other places, I suppose I’m a normal Illinoisan.

Comment by Yooper in Diaspora Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 11:23 pm
@Ron Burgundy — “I’ve learned sadly that intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and actually caring for others is not the norm in this state.–

What state DOES excel, as a state, in intellectual curiosity and critical thinking? (Random apparent fact, at least as of some time ago: Cook County, Minnesota–on Lake Superior’s North Shore–has more PhD’s per capita than Cook County, IL)

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 11:30 pm
2 folks not normal. Bruce rauner and jb pritzker. just sayin.

Comment by Blue Dog Tuesday, Nov 30, 21 @ 7:20 am
Waiting for the “no true-Illinoian” logical fallacy to start making an appearance in Bailey’s speechs.

Comment by Name Withheld Tuesday, Nov 30, 21 @ 8:24 am