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Today’s quotable

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Republican state Rep. Chris Miller says Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Democratic lawmakers are directly responsible for fueling much of the state’s ongoing exodus.

“They’ve destroyed Social Security, the school system and our economy and now they’re destroying our energy independence,” Miller told The Center Square after the latest U.S. census Bureau data on state-to-state migration showed that Illinois lost 146,000 residents on net in 2021.

“On top of everything else, knowing that people can’t count on energy anymore is just another nail in the coffin,” he said.

Despite what the official numbers indicate, The Center Square previously reported Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Democratic leaders continue to express optimism about the state’s direction, pointing to a Post Enumeration Survey released last year that found the state undercounted in the 2020 Census by nearly 2% as the basis for much of their resistance.

“They’ve destroyed Social Security.”

Too much time on the combine, and it’s not even harvest season.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 10:37 am

Comments

Sir, this is a White Castle…

Comment by Northsider Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 10:43 am
There’s going to be a harvest season? Sounds like some pretty irrational exuberance there, Rich. /s

To the post… sounds exactly like what I would expect. Yelling into the dark without knowing the facts, or even caring.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 10:48 am
The reader should keep in mind that Chris Miller (no relation here either) is in an active state of war after his declaration of war on January 6th, 2021 and nearing the 30th month of his war he has nothing to show for it other than bluster. He’s trying to inspire others to acts of terrorism without doing it himself. He’s got a lot to lose, after all. He’s a rich man by most people’s accounts.

One might benefit from reading his statements like when Vladimir Putin makes a crazy claim about Ukraine or NATO. The statement isn’t for NATO or Ukraine. It’s for the people already bought into the propaganda.

I’ve not been keeping a running list, but Rep Chris Miller might be the only individual person who has ever declared war against me.

Comment by Candy Dogood Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 10:49 am
Still with the blackout/brownouts nonsense.

How many more seasons with reliable power before this unfounded paranoia is shelved?

Rhetorical question, obviously.

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 10:50 am
Is this conservative making an argument for spending more on or expanding a socialist government program?

Comment by slow down Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 10:50 am
I clicked through and read the whole piece. Rep. Miller doesn’t say anything about why people who share his “concerns” should stay in Illinois. ILGOP has put up escalating losses since they adopted the questionable strategy of pushing their own base out of the state. But that would require admitting that they’ve failed.

“You have to recognize and admit you have a problem before you can make it better and Democrats are just not at that place,” he said.

Physician, heal thyself.

Comment by vern Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 10:54 am
Trying to figure out how schools, Social Security and the electric grid have been destroyed. Hmmm…

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:01 am
JB destroyed Social Security?

“cuckoo” - Richard M Daley

Comment by Jerry Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:04 am
Regardless of Pritzker constantly saying the sun is shining- the facts are irrefutable as to the number of high income people, companies , jobs and tax revenues leaving Illinois. As for income revenue leaving we were third behind only CA and NY. It is strange how the media refuses to challenge JB when he says the opposite is occurring

Comment by Sue Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:04 am
Chris Miller screaming at clouds is Exhibit A in terms of the problem with an opposition party lead by morons with zero political acumen.

As recently as 2010, the IL House was 62-56 with Southern IL Democrats (they actually existed then) more like Republican Lite. Moderate, mainstream Republicans were very much in play.

Oh, how the sanity has taken a beating.

Comment by Um, No Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:05 am
“they’re destroying our energy independence”

I demand to be reliant on energy that comes from a place other than where I’m using it.

Thanks, but no thanks. I’m currently designing/installing solar on my newly built stand alone garage to power a workshop and car charger.

Not depending on anyone else for my power, somehow means I’m less independent.

When did his brain break?

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:12 am
=It is strange how the media refuses to challenge JB when he says the opposite is occurring=

Maybe it’s do to the fact that Illinois has the 5th largest GDP in the United States and not everyone buys into the “sky is falling” rhetoric that you want to push? And the last guy that was all doom and gloom on the Illinois economy got clobbered at the polls.

Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:18 am
Invest in the past! Coal and gas forever!

Either you move towards sustainable energy or you consign the state to an increasingly unstable climate and our Saudi overlords whims.

Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:18 am
So Rep. Chris (Rambling Rhetoric) Miller spouts his usual screed involving the state of Illinois. Typically, his banter offers no solutions.

Even a train stops once in a while.

Comment by Rudy’s teeth Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:25 am
Who can’t count on energy anymore? With Com Ed and Nicor as my providers, except for the very odd power outage due to severe weather which last for minutes or an hour rather than days, keep getting heat in the winter and lights on year round. Compare that to a state like, oh let’s say Texas, which Miller probably thinks is a role model. And, neither of our senators have turned tail and run to Cancun when it snows. The rest of the things he’s complaining about are just as bogus.

Comment by West Side the Best Side Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:28 am
It’s sad that people really aspire to be this crazy now. There are real hanger-ons to complete nuts in the world.

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:28 am
I think the message cannot be any clearer. If you listen to Chris Miller, if you believe Chris Miller, and most importantly, if you voted for Chris Miller, you must heed his warning and leave the state of Illinois immediately.

Comment by Roadrager Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:29 am
“the state undercounted in the 2020 Census by nearly 2%”

The exodus narrative is bunk, and the right wing has nothing else. The revised Census figures debunked it. Until we get the next Census there’s no point. But, they’re going to flail away anyway. Lol.

Republicans will never learn that negativity and trashing the state does not win. Perhaps they just don’t care.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:35 am
Is this the same Chris miller who had no idea how the three percenter decal found it’s way on his truck?

Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:35 am
=== Compare that to a state like, oh let’s say Texas

Texas is in danger of a brown out today. And probably the rest of the week.

Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:53 am
What is even Rep. Miller (no relation)’s point on “destroying energy independence?” I can think of the recent green energy incentives as new policy in that area, but I’m not connecting the dots between that and making us less independent as a state?

Comment by lollinois Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 11:57 am
=They’ve destroyed Social Security, the school system and our economy and now they’re destroying our energy independence,”=

Huh? Schools are doing better now than they have been in 20 years. Rauner almost bankrupted us.

Somebody get Chris Miller an MRI stat. I think he hit his head on something.

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 12:02 pm
So how exactly would State Representative Miller suggest the State Democratic leaders destroyed the (national) Social Security program? Surely some Republican leaders of the other 49 states and D.C. would have noticed this before Illinois state leader Miller, and expressed concern about the almost magical power Illinois (state) democratic leaders have, and their abilities to destroy national programs like Social Security.

Miller is delusional. It is republican politics that has attempted to destroy social security. Everyone knows that, except Miller, apparently. Perhaps he is not receiving the party platform bullet points his party shares with its members.

Comment by H-W Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 12:13 pm
= The exodus narrative is bunk =

The developers of all those buildings going up in and around downtown Chicago would likely agree with you. The South and West Loop are booming.

Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 12:15 pm
My power flickered last night about 8:30
Thanks JB for ruining the electrical grid. S/

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 12:42 pm
= The exodus narrative is bunk =

State-wise, yes. Rural town-wise not so much.

His main audience is people in those decaying towns. You can tell them the state exodus narrative is bunk until you are blue in the face. What the other person is seeing with their own eyes, is their town slowly shrinking.

The shortcut in logic he is (I think purposely) using is meant for that audience. Like many things in small towns, their problems are all the fault of someone else - the state in this case.

You will never be unpopular with people for saying none of their problems are their fault. Entire religions work that way, after all.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 12:44 pm
I guess the lazy will believe anything they read.

Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 12:44 pm
@Sue - “the facts are irrefutable as to the number of high income people, companies, jobs and tax revenues leaving Illinois”

Citation(s) please. I went ahead and confirmed (again) that the Post Enumeration Survey shows a net gain in IL population 2010-2020. I apologize but I don’t have time during a workday to confirm your statement. There’s a lot there.

I do know that the house down the block from me just sold for $1.2 million and the retiree seller is moving to FL. He seems to be being replaced though so you can’t use this as a citation.

Comment by Lefty Lefty Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 12:51 pm
- I do know that the house down the block from me just sold for $1.2 million… -

Got it…you live in a wealthy neighborhood.

Comment by Dotnonymous XL Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 12:57 pm
The last Republican candidate for Guv’nor is wealthy and lives in a wealthy neighborhood.

So what’s your point?

Comment by Jerry Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 1:37 pm
- So what’s your point? -

I believe I made it…it’s the part you didn’t like.

Comment by Dotnonymous XL Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 1:48 pm
=State-wise, yes. Rural town-wise not so much.=

A problem that is only a century old. Actually, more like 150 years old.

Since the apex of the industrial revolution in America, rural populations have been on a steady decline. As farming mechanized and became more efficient, the number of farm workers nosedived as well. The large farm family is a thing of the past, this last generation being the final nail n that coffin.

Rural communities are also heavily focused on taxes. As in taxes are bad. That leads them to put off all number of things maintenance and improvement related. By doing that, they cut their own nose off to spite their face. The older generations think the young people should stay put and be happy with what they give them. Nobody wants to stay where there are not amenities.

The only good news is that small towns that have something to offer besides nostalgia, and are located on the periphery of larger towns like Bloomington/Normal can and are thrive.

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 1:55 pm
Maybe Chris Miller could start a prison ministry to stay in touch with his 3 Percenter and proud boy pals, and of course the Oathkeepers. They could plan a prison takeover…

Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 2:01 pm
_I believe I made it…it’s the part you didn’t like.-

Whatever you say, Carnac.

Comment by Jerry Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 2:31 pm
As soon as the post starts, “Republican Rep. Chris Miller says…” I stop reading.

I really don’t care what an insurrectionist has to say.

Comment by Steve Rogers Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 2:48 pm
“Rural communities are also heavily focused on taxes. As in taxes are bad. That leads them to put off all number of things maintenance and improvement related. By doing that, they cut their own nose off to spite their face. The older generations think the young people should stay put and be happy with what they give them. Nobody wants to stay where there are not amenities.”

So you know a few people in my area then ……

Comment by btowntruth from forgottonia Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 4:31 pm
Foolish people say foolish things

Comment by Tired teacher Tuesday, Jun 20, 23 @ 8:40 pm