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* Isabel met her paternal grandfather’s best friend in the world last night. Kankakee Township Supervisor Larry Enz attended the 1st Grade with my dad way back in 1949 and they’ve been tight ever since…

I worked for Larry building houses back in the 1980s for about a year. He was the best boss I ever had, but that experience forced me to realize that I’d better get my life together and find myself a career I was actually good at. I went back to school and then a couple of years later started writing about state government for another company. Three years after that, I started this company. So you could say Mr. Enz is a big reason you’re reading these words today.

In all the time I knew Larry I never once heard him talk about politics. Then, about 20 years ago, he reluctantly agreed to run for the Kankakee County Board. He’s never looked back.

Mr. Enz is in town lobbying against some bills. He corralled every legislator who visited our Saputo’s table last night. Dude definitely still has game. Click here and here to see what he’s up to. But go easy on him. Old family friends get a pass, and you’re likely not an old family friend.

* Anyway, what’s going on in your part of the world?

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 19, 25 @ 7:47 am

Comments

Excellent. Not always easy to find good people & work with them for a while. Looks like Larry is still going strong. Good for him.

Comment by sal-says Wednesday, Mar 19, 25 @ 8:23 am
Larry is the best. Big fan.

Comment by Billy Morgan Wednesday, Mar 19, 25 @ 8:37 am
It’s a lovely morning in the city today, and someone decided to use hairspray on my Metra train this morning.

Things are slowly returning to pre-covid normal.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Mar 19, 25 @ 8:39 am
Like the song says, make new friends but keep the old….

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Wednesday, Mar 19, 25 @ 8:48 am
WIU Administration is asking the BOT to grant athletics greater access to the appropriated dollars, at the same time the Administration is announcing the elimination of successful academic programs. I guess football is more important than education. /s

Comment by H-W Wednesday, Mar 19, 25 @ 8:59 am
Lovely story about Mr. Enz - may we all be doing wat we like and posting on Capitol Fax as long as he’s been going strong!

Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Mar 19, 25 @ 9:02 am
Left Kankakee when factories closed, but:

Remember: Larry Enz - West Jr. HS - then old KHS ?

Good Guy - 65 years ago - appears still is

Comment by Red Ketcher Wednesday, Mar 19, 25 @ 9:08 am
Tornados in the afternoon

snow at night

March in Illinois

Comment by florida sunshine Wednesday, Mar 19, 25 @ 9:16 am
cool story. trying to process the staff changes at the Sun Times. sports pages especially changing.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Mar 19, 25 @ 9:33 am
So nice that Isabel was able to make this connection. Old family friends can be the best.

Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Mar 19, 25 @ 10:07 am
Family friends can be some of our strongest influences without us even realizing it at the time. So cool that he was one of yours and is still going strong, with Isabel getting to continue that connection.

Comment by Leslie K Wednesday, Mar 19, 25 @ 12:16 pm
Rich realized swinging a hammer wasn’t his thing, so he started typing like a man possessed, thanks to Mr. Enz. Oddly enough how a non-political person becomes the role so well sometimes also.

Comment by thisjustinagain Wednesday, Mar 19, 25 @ 1:03 pm
Still feeling pretty weird after listening to Pat Hughes call a Cubs game on the radio during my morning drive.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Mar 19, 25 @ 1:50 pm