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posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 8:14 am

Comments

Even though Sinclair and Channel 20 have dropped “Code Red” after the Joe Crain fiasco in 2019, my text alert yesterday (which presumably is a non-Sinclair product) calls the upcoming Winter Storm Warning a “Code Red Warning.” We can’t escape that infamous term, although those texts are only for more serious warnings and not for even the most marginal risk of severe weather in Danville or Effingham (but not in Springfield or Champaign), like 20 was doing until Joe Crain called them out.

NWS Lincoln’s point and click forecast for Chatham estimates about 9-19 inches of snow plus up to 0.1-0.3 inches of ice before the storm ends. FWIW they’re currently estimating about 10-20 inches in the Capitol Complex, so “slightly more” snow in Springfield.

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 8:21 am
“…currently estimating about 10-20 inches in the Capitol Complex”. You do mean ‘outside’ Capitol Complex, right? ‘Inside the Capitol Complex” snowjobs are routine.

Comment by Sayitaintso Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 8:36 am
I like the June primary more than the March so far. It has shortened the campaign season which is way too long. It has been nice to wait until the new year when most campaigns started. But since it impacts session so much, we should consider a later primary like September. The summer is such a boring time for the general election matchup — not much movement since most persuadables are tuned out. Kind of a big waste of money and effort.

(We could split up the presidential primary to February/March and everything else in September in Olympic years.)

That’s my random opining.

Comment by Dan Johnson Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 8:41 am
This sunny morning looks lovely, belying what is coming. Hopefully we can get some decent snow melt today before it hits.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 8:57 am
Sounds like The Red Green Show here today. Mr. Sangamo Girl is out cutting and stacking wood near the house so we are ready for the storm.

Comment by Sangamo Girl Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 9:04 am
This winter storm may have an interesting impact on me. Where I live, may get dumped on. Where I work, may barely get a dusting… should make for an interesting commute.

Comment by Guy Probably Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 9:05 am
Don’t think we remember a forecast that declared travel hazardous or impossible. Remember lots of crappy trips between SPI and northern IL. Smart decision not to drag folks to SPI. Anyone remembers efforts to cut sales/gas taxes in the past? Generally biz owners stuff more $$$ in their pockets. Hopefully final plan just sends out cash directly. Let’s see how ‘Riffie and RichieRich cope with this one.

Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 9:16 am
Is it just me or is the ILGA web site running about as slow as molasses in well…February? Seems like everything there is taking forever to load, etc. regardless of browser or device.

Comment by DownSouth Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 9:19 am
===is the ILGA web site running about as slow as===

Same issue here

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 9:22 am
===ILGA web site===

It went to the store to buy bread and milk.

Comment by Candy Dogood Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 9:26 am
While having coffee and watching Tee-Vee this morning I see Sullivan still with the ads, while searching for a running mate?

Who exactly *wouldn’t* qualify to be his running mate at this point?

I mean, Happy Gilmore found a caddy in the crowd, it’s like that ridiculous right now.

Sullivan is asking for support but can’t find another soul in this state to say “hey, I’ll run with you”?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 9:29 am
Also… Sullivan’s media people cashing in now on ad buys and production, good on y’all. Make your hay now, just in case Sullivan pulls the plug, lacking a running mate.

Sure, it’s gonna snow, but it’s raining cash money on Tee-Vee…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 9:32 am
Sangamo Girl, keep your stick on the ice. I’m pulling for ya. We’re all in this together.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 9:32 am
Feel for the fully vaccinated/booster folks in the storms path that have tested positive. I just spent the last week getting over the “milder” version being fully v/b. I couldn’t have gotten out to do an inch of shoveling let alone 12. It was anything but mild in my case.

Comment by Slugger O'Toole Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 9:38 am
I’m assuming the IT staff for the ILGA website is reading CapFax and tuning up their snowblowers instead of encouraging the hamsters that power their website to move a little faster. It’d be real nice if I could run a legislation report without getting timed out.

Comment by Just Another Anon Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 9:46 am
Just saw that Amtrak has preemptively canceled Lincoln Service (and other) trains on Wednesday and Thursday.

Having trouble remembering when that happened before but maybe I just wasn’t paying attention.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 9:50 am
Is it just me, or does it seem like judge Grishaw is dragging out a decision in the hopes of it coming closer to the end of the most recent spike in cases.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 10:05 am
I remember being stuck in Springfield for 2 days due to a blizzard. I think it was in ‘81 or ‘82. It went from warm and calm 60 degrees to blizzard conditions, then sub-zero with high winds. The next day ALL roads in Illinois were declared closed. I advise everyone to cancel plans and get home before the storm hits.

Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 10:05 am
Yup, ILGA site is super slow. Was looking up an amendment, took so long I started looking around my desk for a dial up modem.

Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 10:08 am
I remember back in the 70’s Mr. Roberts from the Chanel 3 news predicted snow flurries over night and the next day. We woke up to 8″ of flurries in the morning and by the end of the day we had 16″, and then the wind started blowing.

Comment by Gruntled University Employee Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 10:20 am
Totally agree with Dan Johnson about the primary date. I think it should be permanent. When I worked in politics in Missouri we had primaries in August. The thing is, especially in a redistricting year, if the primary is in March, you get, like 2 months to try to get to know a bunch of new candidates before choosing one to be the nominee for each office. It was nice to have a longer “playoff” season before the championship game. It just seems to make more sense to me.

Comment by The Ford Lawyer Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 10:44 am
TheInvisibleMan
Perhaps the Judge is just being meticulous in the authorship of the Decision . Being aware that it will be climbing the Appeals ladder may be driving time consuming super precise drafting.

Comment by Red Ketcher Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 10:52 am
“I remember back in the 70’s Mr. Roberts from the Chanel 3 news predicted snow flurries” There was also a day in the 70’s where they preemptively closed schools because of a predicted blizzard and it was one of the most lovely sunny days of the winter.

Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 11:00 am
Interestingly, the portion of ILGA.gov that hosts the administrative code is going faster than the part that hosts the ILCS.

Comment by Homebody Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 11:19 am
@TheInvisibleMan - It does seem like the ruling is being drawn out. I just hope the judge follows the law, rather than trying to craft objections to the law. IF the Governor’s orders are legitimate as the Judge recently claimed, then explaining why the Governor’s Office cannot enforce its orders through the Board of Education will require an intelligent explanation, if it is to pass muster on appeal.

Comment by H-W Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 11:41 am
Rich, if nothing else please give us an open thread for the next 48 hours. It will help keep us from shut-in craziness due to the pending snowmaggedon.

Comment by don the legend Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 11:41 am
So far it looks like ti’s little ice and mainly snow. I’ll gladly take that. Hopefully we can avoid the power outages. That’s the killer.

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 11:45 am
So was there ever a ruling on the most recent DeVore lawsuit?

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 12:32 pm
Fortunate in life to see 4 GOATs during my lifetime.
Jordan.
Nicklaus.
Brady.
Pujols

Comment by Blue Dog Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 12:48 pm
Soon it will be time to count the accidents at a 3-way intersection about a block from my house. Any bets on leveling of traffic signals? It’s bad enough I’ve called in accidents by the sound before I could make it to see the intersection in good weather, let alone Snowmaggedon 2021.

Comment by thisjustinagain Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 1:36 pm
I swear to god the ILCS search is going to drive me INSANE. Can’t save queries, can even get a search done without getting force kicked and signed out. Part of me wonders why I bother, since anything material that passes is going to be shelled at 3am the morning before the end of session.

Comment by Just Another Anon Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 1:44 pm
Saw the Sullivan ad and noticed his tight tea shirt. The next one might have him shirtless in a thong.

Comment by Frumpy White Guy Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 1:51 pm
“Quando omni flunkus, moritati”

But seriously: stay safe, everyone.

Comment by yinn Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 1:55 pm
“- Blue Dog - Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 12:48 pm:

Fortunate in life to see 4 GOATs during my lifetime.”

You missed Larry Bird?

Comment by Dotnonymous Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 2:03 pm
I miss Mr. Roberts…and his gentle forecast.

Comment by Dotnonymous Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 2:07 pm
“I’m a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess.”

Don’t be a stupid man and stay safe.

Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Feb 1, 22 @ 4:31 pm