Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Open thread

Posted in:

Illinois

* Have at it.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 8:57 am

Comments

I’ve seen the “Bailey abortion” ad at least 3 times since yesterday.

I don’t watch nearly as much network or cable television as I use to, this ad seemingly knows when I switch back to those services.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 9:12 am
Mask usage on Metra (at least my line) is down to about 10% at best.

John Deere is advertising in Union Station for tech positions at the new location in Fulton Market.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 9:17 am
Speaking of John Deere…

The John Deere Classic, the PGA Tour stop in the Quad Cities begins today.

Now, I know many are not golfers. That’s fine, we all have our own leisure activities, but before one scoffs at a PGA Tour stop, consider this;

With the 2021 donations, the John Deere Classic now has helped raise a total of $145.66 million for charity since the tournament began in 1971, with $143.18 million – 98 percent – coming since John Deere assumed title sponsorship in 1998

That’s money staying in the QC region, and why professional golf is important to cities and regions.

Cool stuff.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 9:22 am
The JD Classic is not one of the premier PGA events, but it is a really nice one. That said, I played the course a few days after the Classic. That year I think the winner was -22. I am an average golfer. It was a humiliating experience. The rough was insane and the greens were impossible. The experience gave me a whole new respect for the PGA Tour golfers. The worst among them is still an amazing golfer.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 9:28 am
- JS Mill -

“Charity” is the big winner on the PGA Tour.

:)

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 9:33 am
===Mask usage on Metra (at least my line) is down to about 10% at best.=== The placards inside the cars say mask use welcomed, not required. That’s probably a signal to the 90% to not bother. Speaking of Metra, it looks like people are slowly gravitating back, but there are acres and acres of empty spaces at the outlying station parking areas that are the bread and butter of Metra’s clientele. I’d say 2/3 or more empty.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 9:47 am
WaPo has an editorial scolding Pritzker and the DGA for spending money that wound up helping Darren Bailey in the GOP primary.

What WaPo doesn’t say in the editorial is that every ad that Pritzker and the DGA ran was truthful in pointing out the flaws they saw in the GOP candidates.

It is not dirty tricks to simply point out Richard Irvin had ethical lapses or was a wishy-washy politician, when Richard Irvin had $50 M to spend on ads attacking Pritzker.

It is not dirty tricks to point out Bailey was too conservative for Illinois either.

If the WaPo editorial board wants to be mad at somebody for right-wing extremists winning Republican primaries how about they direct that anger at the Republicans?

It’s not the Democratic Party’s job to soothe the anxieties of rich WaPo editorial writers who want to believe nothing is at stake when an election happens and want to feel OK with either party winning an election.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 9:48 am
If you want an insane golf course, try this one:
Bourne Golf Course
2359 N 35th Rd
Marseilles, IL 61341

Off of IL 71 south of Norway.

Carts are mandatory. Some tees are on top of the bluff, hitting into the ravines, knee high rough, trees blocking the fairways, blind holes. The prettiest hole is a 115(?) yard par 3 over a creek and waterfall. The green is surrounded by trees, tucked at the base of the ravine. Bring several sleeves of balls. Very tough course to play.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 9:52 am
- Huh? -

Played it more than a few times, a fun track, crazy nuances, for sure.

Norway is a fun place, there’s that gas station on 71 that’s a real hoot.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 9:59 am
2 U.S. Supreme Court orders of note today that impact states. one future one immediate. the future one is that the Court is taking up a case that deals with whether State Legislatures or Courts have final say over elections cases…the Trump electors type issue. the present effect is that they will not take the case of the Doctor who sued New York over the vaccine mandate. only three justices dissented on not taking the case, Thomas, Alito and Gorsuch. the court refuses to take a case which deals with religious rights on stem cells and vaccines and health care workers mandate. one bright light with today’s “smog” decision against the EPA.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 10:08 am
Has anyone heard a rumor that JB wants to move the Illinois Governors Election to align with the Presidential?

Comment by Bruce Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 10:11 am
@ Oswego

Just following up on a new thread . . . So who was the last Republican candidate you voted for in a General election?

Comment by Soapbox Derby Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 10:16 am
= It’s not the Democratic Party’s job to soothe the anxieties of rich WaPo editorial writers who want to believe nothing is at stake when an election happens and want to feel OK with either party winning an election.=

So everything is ok if your folks win? Good to know.

The point of the editorial is that this strategy only serves to legitimize the crazies and give them a bigger platform. If you want a healthy two party system, that’s not a good thing. If you just want your folks to win so you can feel good about being on the right team, then I guess it’s fine. But don’t be shocked when the other side gets crazier because you helped normalize it.

Comment by Wonky Kong Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 10:22 am
You are not a real Republican, you’re a R_N_, voting in Dem primaries.

Voted for Kasich in the 2016 GOP primary

I’m not the member of any cult, thanks.

You’re a lazy sort, I’m pretty sure I said I left POTUS empty in 2016, knowing Clinton would win Illinois, I voted for Biden vs. a twice impeached POTUS who later led an insurrection.

Now, please go back under your bridge, thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 10:23 am
No need for personal attacks here, most of us are adults.

Not sure why you refer to yourself as a Republican since you haven’t voted for a major Republican candidate in a General election since at least 2012.

Comment by Soapbox Derby Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 10:39 am
===Not sure why you refer to yourself as a Republican since you haven’t voted for a major Republican candidate in a General election since at least 2012.===

You voted for a twice impeached POTUS, who later led an insurrection?

You’re not a Republican, you’re in a cult.

The first thing about getting out of a cult… realize you’re in a cult.

You’ve voted in more Dem primaries than me… so there’s that.

Now follow your own advice and let the adults talk.

:)

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 10:42 am
Never said I voted for Trump twice. Not in a cult, not even a Trump fan, but I do vote for Republicans more than just occasionally . . .

Comment by Soapbox Derby Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 10:49 am
- Soapbox Derby -

Are you still talking?

I’ve moved on. Thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 10:51 am
I feel much lower stress level since the primary elections were finished. Stress level will go up again as candidates attack and counterattack before the November elections.

Comment by DuPage Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 10:52 am
I know, simply asking you who you’ve voted for must have totally stressed you out. Better take an aspirin and lie down.

Comment by Soapbox Derby Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 10:59 am
Still. Talking.

Whew.

- JS Mill -

Did you play it before or after the renovations?

Played it before and after it was renovated, totally different track. Missed shots found bigger penalty areas for Ams, that’s for sure. Pros do go low there. It’s nice to have a place like that to play, amateurs I mean.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 11:04 am
I played Putt-Putt once, but they kicked me out when I tried to hit a 7-iron to the hole.

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 11:15 am
an emergency alert sound just came on my cable tv listening. rushed to see why no text. would not be expected…it’s June 30m thursday… and normally I’m not an alarmist, but there was a fire warning on the iPhone today, so….. strange times.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 11:20 am
@Wonky Kong-

I do want a healthy two party system and the Republican Party to be less crazy but it’s not the Democrats’ job nor in their capability to fix what’s wrong with the Republican Party. Only Republican voters can do that.

I don’t want my side to win so I can “feel good” about being on the right side but because I have deep public policy convictions and have chosen a political party that most closely aligns with them.

Also I am not sure how what Pritzker did served “to legitimize the crazies.”

This notion denies Republican primary voters any agency for the choice they made in Bailey and ignores the hard work and strong base of support Bailey had that was independent of any attack Pritzker made on Irvin.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 11:30 am
= This notion denies Republican primary voters any agency for the choice they made in Bailey and ignores the hard work and strong base of support Bailey had that was independent of any attack Pritzker made on Irvin.=

There’s a reason campaign buy ads, because they help sway voters. There’s a reason a campaign with more money usually has an advantage, because they can buy more ads and send more mailers. I’m not saying Bailey wouldn’t have won without Pritzker’s help, and we wouldn’t ever know if that’s the case.

But when you try to help the most extreme candidate from the other side, you are helping them to get the nomination, which gives them a bigger platform, and helps legitimize them. When you do that, you shouldn’t be surprised when their beliefs spread. You encourage the crazy.

There were multiple comments here every day from people cheering on Bailey, talking about pulling R ballots just to vote for him. That is not healthy.

Comment by Wonky Kong Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 11:38 am
Observations on my drive from Louisville to Flora on Route 45 this morning:

The giant American flag is still flying at Darren’s parents home. I did notice it was being flown from a fire truck aerial ladder parked in the driveway. I expect it is an old, retired fire engine that is privately owned. I may drive by again and see if I can spot markings on it. It would be upsetting if taxpayers we’re providing Bailey’s huge flagpole. Nothing wrong with being patriotic and displaying the flag at one’s own expense. In this case, it seems more of a partisan political statement than purely patriotic. At least it isn’t a giant Confederate flag. There is one along 45 flying under the American flag a few miles on farther south. Not a huge one, but still a rebel flag.

IDOT crew was busy grinding down the buckled up pavement humps in the highway. Darren wants to suspend the gas tax and sales tax on gasoline. Well, I drive 50 miles RT to work, so it would save me a little on gas. The smart thing, however, would be to leave it on and use the money to pay for some much needed road repairs. The work that the IDOT crew was doing helps, but that is just a bandaid. When it gets hot again the pavement will buckle again. I would rather have decent roads and less auto repairs and back pain, than saving a little at the pump. Biden is pushing the same sort of policy nationally on the federal gas tax. I don’t like paying high gas prices any more than anyone else, but this is to be expected with the current circumstances. If it curbs demand and leads to movement away from joyriding around in giant gas guzzlers andto more efficient transportation, we will all be better off for it in the long run.

Comment by MoralMinority Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 11:38 am
To all the folks agreeing with WaPo, one question. Was Pritzker supposed to let $50 million get spent attacking him over five months before he’s allowed to respond? That’s preposterous

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 12:37 pm
= To all the folks agreeing with WaPo, one question. Was Pritzker supposed to let $50 million get spent attacking him over five months before he’s allowed to respond? That’s preposterous=

If you truly believe that’s what he was doing, then I feel bad for you. I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you’re just trying to be cute.

Comment by Wonky Kong Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 12:43 pm
Looks like USC and UCLA are going to B1G

That’s a huge deal.

They both can be in the Rose Bowl before the Illini?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 1:18 pm
It initially looked like Peggy Hubbard was gracious in accepting her defeat. I was very surprised. She is now responding to her loss in the way I always assumed she would.

Comment by SIUEalum Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 1:24 pm
One other local observation, Aurora has been doing stuff on social media and sending texts about fireworks being illegal and that they will write tickets for using them.

We will see.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 1:41 pm
If Miller (no relation) wins, please note that her new 15th will include all or part of two state universities: All of EIU, as well as the livestock and agronomy buildings at WIU, plus the golf course (the rest of the Western campus will be in the new 17th).

Comment by Just Sayin Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 1:44 pm
==Looks like USC and UCLA are going to B1G==

Looks like the B1G will have to rename themselves “Conference USA.” Whoops, that’s already taken.

Comment by Just Sayin Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 1:45 pm
==Looks like USC and UCLA are going to B1G==

That is insane geography-wise but in this twisted college sports world, makes sense financially.

Comment by Just Sayin Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 1:47 pm
“B1G” is a billion dollar enterprise and brand, now including the New York AND Los Angeles media markets,

Lincoln Riley… he’s is a mad genius.

Leaves Oklahoma, leaves the possibility of the SEC… now he goes to USC… he gets a “Los Angeles” lifestyle… and also gets to join B1G?

Genius.

Also keep the Rose Bowl too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 1:56 pm
Happy New Fiscal Year’s Eve, everyone.

Are there actually any Capitol types or other people who party on the night of Jun. 30 like they do on the night of Dec. 31?

Comment by Just Sayin Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 2:55 pm
== Are there actually any Capitol types or other people who party on the night of Jun. 30 like they do on the night of Dec. 31?==

A post-work July 1 social gathering is the norm in my office and tomorrow is no exception. Still have 9 hours to get work done this year so June 30th doesn’t leave much time for any celebrations.

Comment by SIUEalum Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 3:06 pm
That Big Ten news is out of left field (pun intended) and it will be interesting to see how things shake out. I know football is the moneymaker in college sports, but I’ve never been a fan of making decisions that impact lots of other athletes for one sport.

Wonky Kong, there can be lots of reasons for why Pritzker did what he did, and unless you’re inside his campaign you have no grounds to be insulting.

Comment by MyTwoCents Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 4:12 pm
OW talking of golf above, the LIV tour comes to far NW burbs of Chicago in the fall. hoping for protests. and the Big Ten news is good for the conference for media…coast to coast….and the women’s sports of the two new schools are very good.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 6:13 pm
- Amalia -

Very true.

Rich Hill Farms, a course I really wanted to play, now I’m pretty much done with that. Very disappointing. Not as disappointing as Cross not inviting me to play, or anyone needing that “fourth” and not reaching out. I’m not angry no one invites me, I’m just disappointed. Who knows, summer is really just starting.

You’re so on point, USC and UCLA women’s athletics are elite, a huge add to B1G women’s athletics.

Football? Now we get Illini football in Pasadena and Los Angeles, that will seriously help recruiting, it’s great for the entire conference, recruiting California athletes got a whole lot easier. The media markets of NY/NJ, DC/MD/VA, now LA… the media rights will help each school’s take in media dollars.

This is at least on par with Oklahoma and Texas joining the SEC.

Everyone wins #B1G #FightOn #GoBruins

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 30, 22 @ 6:24 pm
“But don’t be shocked when the other side gets crazier because you helped normalize it.”

You talk like the voters have no control over who they decide to vote for. I look at the issues and what the candidates say and how the candidates voted in the past (you can look up ballotopedia and vote smart) and vote accordingly. For judges I look at the Illinois Bar association, the Chicago Bar association and read up on everything I can find.
Nobody forced voters to vote for crazies. The voters did that themselves.

Comment by Da big bad wolf Friday, Jul 1, 22 @ 6:12 am