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Question of the day

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Illinois

* Every now and then I have trouble coming up with a QOTD. Today is one of those days.

* The Question: What question of the day would you like to see asked here? Explain.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 11:38 am

Comments

What song is going through your head right now?

Comment by daveshomeroast Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 11:39 am
If Illinois had a Mt. Rushmore, who would be the four honorees?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 11:41 am
Are Chicago Democrats bothered enough to vote against Mayor Daley in the next election?

Comment by Steve Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 11:41 am
Who is the most formidable candidate to run on the GOP ticket for the governor of IL?

Comment by The Doc Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 11:42 am
What should Roland Burris carve on his unfinished tombstone?

Comment by Blogger2 Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 11:42 am
When the President plays a pick-up game of basketball, does his team ever lose?

Comment by The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 11:43 am
–If Illinois had a Mt. Rushmore, who would be the four honorees?–

Besides Roland Burris, I mean.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 11:45 am
What is the most interesting comment you have heard in the last 3 months from a non-Illinoisan concerning Obama, Blago or Burris?

I just returned from a month in Florida and was wearing a U of I t-shirt. You wouldn’t believe the conversations other people started and the comments they made about Illinois.

Comment by Jechislo Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 11:46 am
Who is the next Republican to win a statewide office?

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 11:46 am
What should be the new state symbol of Illinois?

Who should be on Illinois’ state currency?

Who should replace Roland Burris in the US Senate next year?

And in addition to that, what race should they be?

Comment by Levois Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 11:47 am
After decades of single party rule in New York City and Los Angeles, we’ve seen two party rule return to these cities. When will this happen to Chicago?

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 11:47 am
This is another appeal that probably falls on deaf non-Polish ears.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 11:56 am
Only Burris would be on Mt ILmore.

In his various elective offices.

As for my question of the day?

Name the second greatest Illinoisan in history?

After Burris of course.

Comment by IrishPirate Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 11:56 am
What is the appropriate temperature for putting the top down on a convertible?

Comment by Frank Booth Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:01 pm
Should Gov. Quinn “fumigate” state government down to the Division Chief level, as in all probably they paid to play under Gov. Soon-to-be-indicted?

Comment by If It Walks Like a Duck... Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:03 pm
Horseshoe, chili or barbeque?

Comment by anon24 Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:04 pm
If you happen to be African-American, Polish-American, blind in one eye, low vision in the other, are in a wheelchair, and female - can you single handedly fulfil the Equal Opportunity Employment requirements of your employer? And what should your salary be?

Comment by A Citizen Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:06 pm
How about asking everyone to give the date when Roland Burris is no longer our U.S. Senator?

Comment by stones Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:06 pm
Why vote Democrat in the next election cycle and what changes will doings so likely bring about in Illinois regarding: jobs, political corruption, taxes and fiscal responsibility?

Comment by Cousin Ralph Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:07 pm
Why vote Republican in the next election cycle and what changes will doing so likely bring about in Illinois regarding: jobs, political corruption, taxes and fiscal responsibility?

Comment by Cousin Ralph Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:08 pm
What is your earliest political memory?

Comment by Zora Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:10 pm
Rich, you talked about what cuts we would make in the budget, how about a question around how the State can raise revenue?

Comment by The KQ Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:12 pm
Should Jody Weis(sp?) be held in criminal contempt of court?

Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:17 pm
What would it take at this point to really surprise you when it comes to Illinois politics?

If you told someone about the Rod-Burris saga 3 years ago how long do you think they would have locked you up in a state hospital.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:23 pm
What would you tax to raise 3 billion in revenue for IL?

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:23 pm
Ghost, I can answer that one now…

Other People

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:25 pm
Four Illinois faces on Mt. Rushmore: Lincoln, Obama, Reagan and Simon.

QOTD: How much corruption needs to be exposed for you to consider moving away from Illinois?

Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:30 pm
What would Abe do?

Comment by Anon Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:30 pm
Assuming we have a tax increase, which taxes should be increased and by how much?

What single amendment does the Illinois Constitution most need?

Who SHOULD the Republican and Democratic candidates for Illinois Governor be in 2010?

Which animals best represent our top elected officials?

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:33 pm
With no sign of a clean up in state govenment in sight has Pat Quinn lost momentum?

Comment by PolPro Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:34 pm
1) At what point should Illinois citizens throw up their hands and surrender to Missouri? At this point, would Missouri even take us?

2) Predict which event occurs first: The Cubs win a World Series or IL goes 2 years without a conviction for political corruption?

3) Should Illinois require redistricting to occur on a computerized basis? Do you think this will happen? Explain.

4) What aspect of Illinois politics do you know is important, but just can’t drum up the interest to follow?

5) Conversely, what aspect of Illinois politics do you know to be minor, but just can’t get enough of?

Comment by South Side Mike Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:38 pm
Sox, Cubs or Cards…and why?

Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:41 pm
Tax increase in a recession/depression: big mistake or bad idea?

Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:42 pm
Toilet seat. Up or down?

What way does the roll go. Pull from behind or in front of the roll?

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:43 pm
What can be done to restructure the public aid/welfare/state aid system, including illegal aliens to reduce the cost to the State while not depriving deserving recipients?

How would you restructure the way the state funds schools to make it more equal across the board and to realize the state funding of 51% of a child’s education? And how would you also allow local district’s to fund more than the baseline if they want to offer more to their student’s.

Comment by Irish Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:44 pm
VQ, I’ve got Lincoln, Reagan, Grant (for rising to head Union forces as an Illinois volunteer) and Jane Addams. Obama’s alive and the jury is still out.

Good luck on the paper, by the way.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:47 pm
- Zora - Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:10 pm:

What is your earliest political memory?
Being an Honorary Page in the Illinois House as a freshman in high school. (circa 1972)

Comment by Dan S, a Voter, Taxpayer and Cubs Fan Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:50 pm
How many games will CRA-Z with in 2009?

Comment by Dan S, a Voter, Taxpayer and Cubs Fan Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:52 pm
What changes in Illinois government hiring practices would reduce the amount of pay to play corruption in Illinois politics?

Comment by Cinho Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:52 pm
What do you think Senator Roland Burris’s honest response would be to the question “How does it feel to know that almost no one in the state you represent wants you as their senator?”

Comment by ShyBoy Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:53 pm
How close will the feds come to Daley now that they have put the O’Hare contracts under the microscope and will it affect his re-election possibilities?

Comment by Sweet Polly Purebred Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:53 pm
ShyBoy, Roland Burris’ response would be: “Roland Burris doesn’t care. Roland Burris is the junior senator from Illinois.”

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:54 pm
I like these two from SSM above:

===4) What aspect of Illinois politics do you know is important, but just can’t drum up the interest to follow?

5) Conversely, what aspect of Illinois politics do you know to be minor, but just can’t get enough of? ====

Plus VQ I find your range of choices funny:

===Tax increase in a recession/depression: big mistake or bad idea? ===

Based on that here is my question:

Free public education, big mistake or bad idea?

Comment by Lakefront Liberal Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 12:58 pm
What would be your all-time state constitutional officer ticket? Meaning the best governor, lt. gov, SOS, etc. in Illinois history.

Comment by Niles Township Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 1:00 pm
Ghost - thing to tax to make revenue - Marijuana and pay to play politics

Zora - earliest political memory - my dad buying and Admiral portable TV so we could watch the first Nixon/Kennedy debate with a group of their friends.(It was the first and ONLY time my mom allowed a TV in the living room)

Comment by Sweet Polly Purebred Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 1:01 pm
You can’t have both Lincoln and Reagan. Reagan was born here but pretty much abandoned IL for CA. Lincoln was born in KY and moved north.

Comment by whitecollarjob/bluecollarmind Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 1:04 pm
Well if you can’t have Lincoln or Reagan, you can’t have Obama.

How about Dirksen, Simon, Sandberg and Belushi?

Comment by Deep South Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 1:12 pm
What reforms would you like to see happen in Illinois:
(a) By executive order; and/or
(b) Legislatively.

What should open government in Illinois look like (without using the words sunshine and disinfectant)?

Comment by Cheswick Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 1:21 pm
What will the final projection for the cost of a special eletion be that’s used to kill the proposed legislation because it “costs too much”? It’s gone from maybe $5 million, to $20 million, and now apparently is $50 million, so the final number will be…?

Comment by Anon Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 1:27 pm
What is a reasonable price to pay for a senate seat?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 1:30 pm
Who’s the next mayor of Chicago?

Comment by Rod said I was pork Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 1:30 pm
The School of Political Hard Knocks

Who’s the one political candidate you most regret volunteering for/contributing to/campaigning for and what did you learn from your mistake?

Also
Who will be in business longer, The Chicago Sun-Times, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Chicago Tribune, or CapitolFax?

And
Who’s the best political Print Reporter/Opinion Writer/Radio reporter/t.v. reporter in Illinois and why?

finally
Excluding Capitolfax, what’s the best political blog in Illinois and why?

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 1:37 pm
How many hours do you waste each day on blogs?

Comment by ken Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 1:37 pm
What’s actually behind Door Number 3?

Comment by Judgment Day Is On The Way Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 1:40 pm
What is your favorite place to visit in LaSalle County that is not Starved Rock?

Comment by HoBoSkillet Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 1:45 pm
It was my original question, so I rule that Reagan, Obama and Lincoln are all eligible for the Illinois Mt. Rushmore.

Lincoln and Obama made Illinois their homes and were elected from here. Reagan was born, raised and graduated college here. Those who spoke to him before he finally succumbed to the Alzheimer’s said his final spoken memories were of being a lifeguard on the Rock River.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 1:57 pm
===What is a reasonable price to pay for a senate seat?===

If those darn FEDS hadn’t interfered, we would’ve found out.

Comment by The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 1:57 pm
Will expanding casino gambling machines to off track betting parlors and onto horseracing tracks happen this year?

If not, is a sin tax on caffeine products a better tax revenue option?

Comment by Capitol View Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 2:05 pm
If corruption is rampart, how do I get a piece?

Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 2:07 pm
If not, is a sin tax on caffeine products a better tax revenue option? HELL no.

Comment by Dan S, a Voter, Taxpayer and Cubs Fan Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 2:08 pm
YDD, One man’s blog of course

if only we could tax bloggers by the word…..

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 2:24 pm
Word: You can’t go wrong with those four. My wife just did a report on Addams for a class and I didn’t realize how important she was. I hesitated on Obama precisely because the jury is still out, but figured the historical aspect of it would win. And Simon is my favorite IL pol, but realize that is regional.
Thanks for the well wishes…the paper is headed to the printer and will be out next week…no room for the CapFax syndicated column this issue, though

QOTDs: Where on the color wheel does bleeping golden fall? Does that come in a crayon? What month and year will the first major Chicago paper stop printing? Who was the legislator whose affair caused the Cross blow-up? (I have a guess, but it will stay off this blog.) How long till Alex officially declares for Senate?

Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 2:30 pm
==Excluding Capitolfax, what’s the best political blog in Illinois and why?==

There’s another one?

Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 2:31 pm
Who in their right mind reopens State Parks to the public BEFORE they return the staffs to those sites?

Comment by Irish Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 2:32 pm
Who will succeed Michael Madigan as Speaker of the House? (The actual answer could be somebody still in diapers today, but some day it’s gonna happen …)

Comment by Trent Green's Clipboard Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 2:34 pm
=How about Dirksen, Simon, Sandberg and Belushi?=

Not Jim Belushi, I hope.

Comment by White Rabbit Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 2:38 pm
Over/Under: 15,000 total votes cast in the 5th CD on Tuesday, and who wins?

Comment by SweetLou Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 2:40 pm
Yikes, you’ve caught me on a creative day…

1. Under what circumstances could the state capitol be moved to Chicago?

2. Favorite Springfield drinking establishment NO LONGER IN BUSINESS (ie, Aloha, Sam’s, Norb’s)

3. Where, geographically, does “Downstate Illinois” start?

4. Site for next University of Illinois campus (ie, already have Springfield, etc…)

5. Best answer to “Where did Paul Powell REALLY get all the money they found in the shoebox?”

6. If you put Pinella, Guillen and LaRussa in an Ultimate Fighting Ring together, who would come out alive?

Comment by 312 Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 2:49 pm
Does anyone have any good news about anything?

Comment by InParis Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 3:00 pm
If you held an elected office, would you use your influence to get your kid(s) hired somehere?

Comment by Slugo Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 3:01 pm
How would you redraw the Illinois state boundary lines?

Comment by North of I-80 Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 3:07 pm
If Chicago (Cook county) were to become a separate state, who wins?

Comment by casual observer Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 3:17 pm
John Belushi, of course…not Jim.

Comment by Deep South Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 3:18 pm
Mount Rushville, or Mount Rushstreet nominees would be Dirksen, Simon (the bow tie wold be a must), Jane Addams, Altgeld

Comment by Captain Flume Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 3:27 pm
Was Patrick Ewing the best jump shooting center of all time?

Comment by Speaking at Will Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 3:29 pm
How many other state assets can we sell to cover our shortfall? IE Annex St. Louis waterfront, sell Arch to the highest bidder?

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 3:32 pm
What would Steve Neal have to say?

(about, Blagojevich, Burris, Obama, Quinn, Daley etc.)

What actual jail time will Vrydolyak get? How much will he really serve?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 3:38 pm
HoBo, I vote for Duffy’s Tavern in Utica (not Starved Rock but awfully close, I know). Make your St. Patrick’s Day plans now because they have really great corned beef and cabbage!

Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 3:43 pm
Will Chicago get the Olympics?

Who will be the next public official to get taken away in handcuffs early in the morning?

Who will be the next Cook County President?

Will Mayor Daley ever retire?

Will John Daley ever retire?

Will John Daley, head of the Finance Committee of Cook County ever take a finance and an accounting course?

Comment by http://thirdgenerationchicagonative.blogspot.com/ Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 3:44 pm
What is your favorite local festival or celebration?

Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 3:49 pm
How many more years befor the Cubs win a world series? 1? 5? 10? 100? Never?

Comment by Jacksonville Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 3:49 pm
Illinois Rushmore really should include Adlai Stevenson

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 3:51 pm
Ed Vrdolyak just got sentenced to probation.

Did he sell his soul to Satan?

Comment by IrishPirate Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 4:11 pm
“Is U.S. District Judge Milton Shadur on the take?”

Comment by Only In Chicago Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 4:16 pm
Rich,
These are great. Are you really going to pick one of them?

Comment by Jechislo Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 4:22 pm
If Capitolfax was a movie, who would you cast as Rich Miller?

If the Blagojevich saga makes it to film, who should star in the various roles?

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 4:31 pm
To Anon @3:38 ===What actual jail time will Vrydolyak get? How much will he really serve? ===

I would have lost big money on this question. No way did I think he would get zero time.

So my question is “How long before we find out that the judge has some kind of history with Eddie?”

Comment by Can't Believe It Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 4:44 pm
Q: If you wear a shirt that says “Chicago Cubs 1908 World Champions” are you a Cubs fan, or a Cardinals / Sox fan rubbing their noses in it?

Comment by Anon Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 4:45 pm
When will Rich Miller actually hire a full-time staffer?

Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 4:50 pm
When is the release date for “Bleeping Golden”? Strategically held until criminal trial begins?

Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 4:51 pm
How long will George Ryan serve in jail?

Where was Lura Ryan (poor sick Lura, that George could not leave alone) when we saw all the pictures of George on his trips?
Where was she when he was seen in the Bears skyboxes while he was awaiting sentencing?

Why hasn’t Sandi Jackson (7th Ward Alderman) done anything where all the deserted Steel Mills are in her Ward? The one’s she promised to do something with? ( her ads were her standing in front of them)

Where are all the Blagojevich open road toll signs now?

Who will be the next Politician to have a Highway, Tollway, Library, Government Building, named after them? And what will it be? (Hwy, etc.)

Comment by thirdgenerationchicagonative Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 4:51 pm
Yes, “Can’t believe it” now he may not see the inside of the Pen.

Wow…plead guilty, not go to jail? Rewarding you for not having a long drawn out trial that would have resulted in more trials when they find out who else, and what else was going on.

Comment by thirdgenerationchicagonative Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 4:54 pm
Vrdolyak was who I was talking about, last post.

Comment by thirdgenerationchicagonative Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 4:55 pm
Downstate Illinois starts outside the collar counties and includes some areas up to the Wisconsin border. Southern Illinois starts south of I-70.

Comment by Excessively rabid Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 5:17 pm
What member of the general Assembly has suprised you the most this session?

Comment by downhereforyears Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 5:18 pm
The feds asked for 41 months prison time and $1.5 million in restitution from Fast Eddie. Shadur gave him 5 years probation and $50,000 restitution.

Granted, the deal in the conspiracy never went down. But that’s quite a spread between recommendation and actual sentencing. Fast Eddie flashed that old crocodile smile — the one that always seemed to say “I know something you don’t” — on his way out of the Dirksen Building.

To stoke the embers of those who like to get fired up by such connections, Shadur was appointed in 1980 by Pres. Carter on the recommendation of Sen. Stevenson. Fast Eddie led the 1982 campaign in which Stevenson lost to Thompson by just 5,074 out of 3.67 million votes.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 5:22 pm
What is the best political nickname?

My favorite is the Junior Senator from Illinois Paul Harvey, and now you know the rest of the story.

Comment by Pale Rider Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 5:51 pm
Why is the 1932 Ford enjoying extreme popularity?

Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 6:40 pm
Especially mine.

Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 6:41 pm
If you were to buy a classic antique vehicle for your wife, would you give her a choice as to automatice or standard transmission?

Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 6:41 pm
When will Madigan admit that he secretly infiltrated the ILGOP 15 years ago and started the dismantling project…..no one can chalk this up to luck

Comment by Reddbyrd Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 7:19 pm
Let’s put this one over the century mark!

Blago indictment predictions: how many counts, how much potential prison time, will any new defendants be charged, what offenses besides the ones already named in the criminal complaint (Senate seat, Trib, hospital shakedown, etc.) will be cited?

Comment by Bookworm Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 7:21 pm
How fast will “transparency” fade from the Illinois political vernacular?

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 7:25 pm
After just getting my update on Milton “tightness” Bradley…the question of the day should be how many games will the oft-injured outfielder play in 2009??

Comment by southside love Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 9:00 pm
Illinois Rushmore needs community leader Obama, state senator Obama, US senator Obama, and President Obama.

Maybe is there is some space, squeeze Dirksen or Lincoln or Stevenson in there. Only if there is room.

Comment by John Boy from Oswego Thursday, Feb 26, 09 @ 9:38 pm
Illinois Rushmore: Abe Lincoln, McKinley Morganfield, Nelson Algren, Barack Obama.

Comment by ahem Friday, Feb 27, 09 @ 5:01 am
Lacking a Black Hills, Illinois Rushmore would be made from old car bumpers.

Comment by ahem Friday, Feb 27, 09 @ 5:02 am
ahem, I would beg to differ. Our Mt. Rushmore has to be made of asphalt.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Feb 27, 09 @ 7:06 am
Sorry AA, but it would need tobe in Springfield, constructed from burning tires.

Comment by Ghost Friday, Feb 27, 09 @ 8:37 am