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* We’re riding out tonight to case the Promised Land.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 8:53 am

Comments

North side of Chicago is a winter wonderland on this Groundhog Day. 5 inches down, more falling at about an inch per hour for the rest of the day.

Pro tip: Lift the shovel with your legs, not your back.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 8:55 am
“Welcome to this special blizzard edition of ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS…”

Comment by Dirty Red Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 8:57 am
One of my all-time favorite lyrics. Note he doesn’t say that they’re going to live in the promised land. They’re just going to size it up so they can steal from it.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 8:57 am
South side, too. Don’t know how much or how fast, but I do know that the guys clearing out our parking lot are having a tough time keeping up.

@47th Ward - I hope you didn’t learn that pro tip the hard way.

Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 8:59 am
was kind of shocked to hear only 18% of US kids age 5 to 11 have been vaccinated. bit odd I thought.

Comment by Blue Dog Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:00 am
pro tip. pay the neighbor kid.

Comment by Blue Dog Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:01 am
Down here in southern Sangamon, we have 4 inches so far. Snow coming down hard and wind kicking up.

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:01 am
Apparently State of the State didn’t start at midnight. I was all ready to stay up late and watch it.

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:04 am
Did grocery/library runs earlier in the week so I have Stephen King, Double Indemnity, and chili. I’m good for a few days.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:04 am
Same storm out here in Colorado. Where i am in the burbs south of Denver, 8 - 9 inches overnight. It’s slowed now, but is supposed to continue all day. A physically huge storm.

Comment by Lt Guv Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:06 am
love the disconnect between the groundhog prediction and the weather. I’ll take the Woodstock Willie prediction over the Punxsutawney Phil prediction.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:07 am
Thanks JoanP, I’m fine. Nothing a little Advil and a hot shower won’t fix.

Blue Dog, the neighborhood teens don’t aren’t interested in trading their labor for cash up here apparently.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:07 am
= We’re riding out tonight to case the Promised Land.=

Best Springsteen song ever.

The last line seems appropriate for Springfield-

“It’s a town full of losers And I’m pulling out of here to win”

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:07 am
47th. I can relate. we don’t have much going on down here in Southern Illinois. can you send 2 inches of snow down ice free?

Comment by Blue Dog Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:10 am
“was kind of shocked to hear only 18% of US kids age 5 to 11 have been vaccinated. bit odd I thought.”

Health Department is only doing Moderna. School hasn’t had a vaccine drive since kids were first allowed to get the shots. Doctor’s office is way behind and overbooked. I am looking to get a vaccine for my child that just turned 5. I have no idea where to turn next. So I am not surprised. The ball has been dropped at the national, state and local levels.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:10 am
ILGA should offer an alert when committees start. this is just ridiculous.

Comment by moving forward Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:12 am
Well our sidestreet has been reasonably plowed so far. Went and fired up the snowblower this morning to make it easier for my wife to get to work and 2 hours later you can’t tell I did much of anything.

Yeah careful with this snow, when my wife was working in ICU when we were first married we knew snow like this meant she wouldn’t get called off of work due to a low patient census.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:12 am
Working in Wichita Ks. 8 inches, maybe 2 more on the way according to the Weather Channel. The ice is the real threat hete under the snow. It rained too much yesterday for them to prep the roads.

When I was a kid, this was a cash happy kind of day. My Father had a rule, don’t charge the older folk, just do it. It was ok to accept hot chocolate from them.

Be safe everyone. Stay warm.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:16 am
===The ball has been dropped at the national, state and local levels.===

That’s been the theme for the last two years.

Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:19 am
=== Health Department is only doing Moderna. School hasn’t had a vaccine drive since kids were first allowed to get the shots. Doctor’s office is way behind and overbooked. I am looking to get a vaccine for my child that just turned 5. I have no idea where to turn next. So I am not surprised. The ball has been dropped at the national, state and local levels. ===

Can you just go to a Walgreens or CVS?

Comment by Hannibal Lecter Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:25 am
I had to go to Walgreens for my booster — my PCP was out for anyone who had already received the first 2 jabs. I have long haul and *don’t* want another acute virus. Walgreens was quick, easy , and gave me peace of mind.

Comment by Arguenda Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:37 am
If it’s so bad outside (like today) that the groundhog doesn’t try to come out to see its shadow, that must mean snow and ice can’t be ruled out well into April.

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:38 am
“was kind of shocked to hear only 18% of US kids age 5 to 11 have been vaccinated. bit odd I thought.”

I’m shocked, too. But then that goes to how well on top of it the pediatrician group we go to for the little one. They set up special vaccination clinic time slots to get as many shots in arms as they could. And I think they pre-ordered in anticipation of authorization coming through; so no supply issues. Knowing the kid was fully vax’ed prior to the December holidays eased some anxieties. And it paid dividends with all the low-risk and close-contact notices we received in January.

@Ducky LaMoore - good luck in your hunt. Remember that a number of pharmacies, including those located inside grocery stores, are also providing the shots and may have availability.

Comment by From DaZoo Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:42 am
@Ducky LaMoore I am looking to get a vaccine for my child that just turned 5..

Walgreens, Meijer, CVS are your best bet.

Don’t know your location, but you should be able to get a Walgreens appt this week no problem.

Comment by jimbo Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:43 am
If I would have told you, in early 2016, that as a Republican at some point you’ll have to choose between Adam Kinzinger and Donald Trump, you would have likely said the choice would be “easy.” But I bet you would have been wrong on what that choice would ultimately be.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/01/31/rnc-expel-cheney-kinzinger/

Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:47 am
to add to my last post-

Sam’s and Costco are also carrying Covid vaccine. Not all for 5-11 though so double check.

Also, for those who don’t know- Illinois law requires Costco and Sam’s Club pharmacies be open to non members. Tell the person checking cards at the front that you’re going to the pharmacy and they will let you in. You’re not going to be able to purchase anything but prescriptions, but the cost is often SUBSTANTIALLY cheaper if you’re paying out of pocket.

Comment by jimbo Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:48 am
“pro tip. Use a snow blower”

Fixed it for you.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:54 am
“Can you just go to a Walgreens or CVS?”

I feel dumb for not thinking of that. Thank you.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:55 am
==If I would have told you, in early 2016, that as a Republican at some point you’ll have to choose between Adam Kinzinger and Donald Trump, you would have likely said the choice would be “easy.”==

Or around this time in 2011, during the first Groundhog Day blizzard, before the last congressional maps were released. If someone would have asked that you would have had to choose between Kinzinger and say, Tim Johnson. (Since before the maps were released a lot of people including here were speculating on a Kinzinger-Johnson pairing).

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 9:58 am
WBBM radio reporting lots of cars in ditches somewhere in Chicago (Dan Ryan?) Happening with lane changes.
Recommends if you’re going to drive, pick a lane and stay in it.

Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 10:04 am
That child vaccination rate is disheartening, but nationally doesn’t really surprise me that much. I’d be curious to see if the IL rate is higher. Our district sent out an email recently saying that 77% of eligible students are vaccinated here in Oak Park

Comment by Steve M Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 10:19 am
===Use a snow blower===

Lol, I’ve considered it. But I only have to clear about 30 feet of sidewalk in front of my house, and a bit more on the side of my house. The alley behind my garage too. It’s good exercise and Lord knows I could use more of that.

If I had a snow blower, I’d feel compelled to do the whole block, being the nice guy that I am. But I’m not nice enough, or lazy enough, to go out and buy one. I’m betting on global warming to make that purchase unnecessary.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 10:19 am
Walked the dog last night in Springfield about 11 pm and the it was just pouring rain. If that cold front arrived a few hours sooner we would have two feet of snow. Still about 6-7 where you can measure and not find a drift.

Kudos to the plow folks - city was in good shape and 1 lane open on I-55.

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 10:33 am
===Use a snow blower=== You mean that thing sitting in the corner of the shed that hasn’t been used in two years? I was wondering what that was.

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 11:05 am
“I’d be curious to see if the IL rate is higher.”

Mayo Clinic has IL’s 5-11 group pegged at 33.9% (fully vax’ed). For comparison, they have USA at 21.8%. They put IL at #5 in the US for this age group.

Comment by From DaZoo Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 11:16 am
why is CPS in school? I kind of despise CTU, but this is ridiculous, whoever said school today is unfortunately probably going to regret it.

Comment by rutro Wednesday, Feb 2, 22 @ 11:35 am