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* By thy rivers gently flowing…

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 8:27 am

Comments

So looking forward to the State Fair this weekend. We have not been since the boys were young (now 21, 23, 25, and 31). Even the weather seems to be anticipating our return /s

Comment by H-W Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 8:52 am
If that weather forecast holds for next week, the State Fair is going to be blessed with the best weather for fair week that has been seen in years.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 9:25 am
I’ll bet if you asked 100 people what the state song is, 99 of them would respond, “we have a state song?”

Comment by Steve Rogers Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 9:47 am
I read that Aetna is replacing United Healthcare as the state retirees’ health insurer. The article also said that United Healthcare is appealing the decision. Any updated information on the appeal?

Comment by Cook Street Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 10:02 am
Fun fact: When I was prepping for my job interview with Rod, I brushed up on the lyrics of the state song, just in case. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

(Do we think Rod even knew we had a state song? Or Bradley?)

Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 10:23 am
I think our state song is okay, considering it’s pretty 19th-century focused. The one I really like is the Alaska Flag Song. They have a great flag too. Most of them are blah.

Comment by Excessively Rabid Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 10:51 am
oh Soccermom, now you have me thinking that Rod could be singing the state song, gig needing and all.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 10:53 am
@- Cook Street - Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 10:02 am:

===I read that Aetna is replacing United Healthcare as the state retirees’ health insurer. The article also said that United Healthcare is appealing the decision. Any updated information on the appeal?===

When is this switch supposed to occur? Why is the state switching? Is this a “low bid” decision or based upon quality of coverage? Are they going to force everyone into HMOs? I have not heard anything yet, and the state should keep the people affected informed.

Comment by DuPage Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 11:01 am
I thought it was El-A-Noy from that old show on PBS about IL history. “Then move your family westward, bring all your girls and boys, and cross at Shawnee Ferry to the state of Illinois”

Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 11:04 am
Okay, so this is only remotely, and very remotely, related to Illinois, but I, who does live in central Illinois, just got a Robocall from Hageman for Wyoming, and I don’t mean the town in Stark County (banned punctuation)

Comment by G'Kar Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 11:05 am
I thought when state employees retire they are allowed to keep the same insurance they had when working (at least until they have to switch to Medicare).

Comment by Big Dipper Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 11:07 am
Okay, found an article. United will no longer be an option unless its appeal is successful, but Aetna will not be the only option.

https://www.wcia.com/news/target3/state-awards-aetna-statewide-retiree-insurance-plan-united-healthcare-appeals/

Comment by Big Dipper Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 11:13 am
Pretty big story about Aetna/UHC insurance changes for state retirees. Let’s see how we get shafted.

Comment by up2now Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 12:52 pm
Illinois State Song: See, Fogelberg, Dan. “Illinois.”

Comment by H-W Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 1:22 pm
==I, who does live in central Illinois, just got a Robocall from Hageman for Wyoming, and I don’t mean the town in Stark County==

Maybe Hageman has won the Jim Nowlan endorsement?

Comment by Just Sayin Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 2:38 pm
We were taught the state song and sang it regularly in grade school way back in about 1963.

Comment by rabble Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 2:49 pm
are Cub fans liking the Field of Dreams game? One pal says the coverage is awful. all I saw was they came out of right field.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Aug 11, 22 @ 8:26 pm