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Not so deep thoughts

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* Tens of thousands of southern Illinoisans are still without power after last week’s devastating storm and they’re bracing for more horrid weather today. Yet the Chicago media has barely covered the story. If one of those southerners gets Swine Flu, it’ll probably be front-page news.

* I love my Mac puter, but I do despise the fact that I can’t listen to WUIS news stories on it. Maybe I should direct my ire at WUIS for excluding folks like me. [To be clear, I can listen to the live broadcast just fine, but I can’t get the individual news stories to work no matter what I do.]

* I currently live in Downstate, but I’ve been appalled for years at the disproportionate amount of road money the region gets. A new ~~IDOT~~ [LRB] study ought to shake things up, but I’m not so sure it will…

Between 1999 and 2007, road fund expenditures in the six-county Chicago area ranged from about 32 percent of the statewide total to 44 percent, the study found.

Spending outside the Chicago region reached a high of 68 percent in 2001 to a low of 56 percent in 2003, the study said.

The study noted, for comparison purposes, that more than 63 percent of Illinois residents live in the Chicago area, which accounts for more than half the vehicles and miles traveled in the state. […]

Meanwhile, about half of the more than 6 billion gallons of motor fuels sold in Illinois in fiscal 2008 were were used in the six-county Chicago region, the study estimated.

Your turn.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 12:58 pm

Comments

Not sure why your Mac won’t play the MP3 version. Mine opened it right up in iTunes and it worked fine.

Comment by Mgmax Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:05 pm
Are you appalled in that you think it is too much or too little?

Comment by Lincoln Parker Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:07 pm
But, where are the state roads? The low pop density downstate results in a disproportionately higher road milage per capita.

Plus, “Chicago” people seem to want to blow through downstate as quickly as possible on there way to elsewhere.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:08 pm
You are exactly right on the Southern Illinois Storm coverage, we barely heard a thing on local news, we unfortunatley were bombarded with the Drew, and Stroger events.

The Capital Fax is where I heard of it first.

Comment by Third Generation Chicago Native Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:08 pm
By the way, I hear via Twitter there’s a 50% excise tax on wine being bandied about today in the IL Senate. Is that just a 50% increase, or does it really mean your bottle of Chateau d’Yquem goes up from $200 to $300? Anyway, time for wine snobs to join tea partiers, I guess.

Comment by Mgmax Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:08 pm
Yes, disporportionate indeed. How about we make some cuts there? Or is it all reimbursed by the feds?

Agreed about the poor coverage of the storm.I believe some labeled it an inland hurricane, which is extremely rare. You’d think that would get some attention!

Comment by i see... Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:11 pm
Mgmax, was that the live stream or the news stories? I can play the live stream, but not the stories.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:12 pm
Yes, there’s more road spending per person outside greater Chicago than in. But don’t forget that most of the goods transported into the region and products tranported out of the region use those downstate roads. Would you rather the region’s economy suffer, but have the “right” share of road spending?

Comment by Sir Reel Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:15 pm
It might be wise to assess how much mileage is in the C-go area and how much is below 80… more road surface requires more road money… much interstate traffic coming on I-70/74/57/55, etc.
I think it is a catch-22 (when it comes to funding/media, etc), most of the population of IL is above 80, but then again there is so much to the state that needs care that it is hard to be myopic during our current crisis….

Comment by MidState Anon Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:15 pm
The road funding seems reasonable. There are probably more miles of roads outside of Chicago.

Comment by Reality is Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:17 pm
Heh, I need to pay Springfield a visit.

Comment by Levois Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:19 pm
Kudos to you, Rich, for covering some of the devastating storm that struck Southern Illinois. My home is currently in Carterville, a growing town in between Carbondale and Marion. I was down there for the weekend to witness the mass destruction the storm brought on these counties. Being down there of course, all the news covered was when people could expect to receive help (whether that be water, electricity, or home repair).

However, when arriving back in Springfield, I was surprised to see that very little news coverage had been lent to this disaster area. Hopefully, Southern Illinois can make a full recovery. It is getting some great help from its local legislators and officials.

Comment by TT Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:22 pm
=== Plus, “Chicago” people seem to want to blow through downstate as quickly as possible on there way to elsewhere. ===

Funny, I often feel the same way about Chicago when I’m on my way to elsewhere.

Comment by Deep South Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:22 pm
There is more public transportation near Chicago that provides no benefit to downstate (and I’m not sure I agree there is an absolutle necessity for the rider of public transportation to pay 15 or so cents on the dollar for the actual cost to transport them). I’d wager much of the traffic on downstate highways are not locals. Certainly a good number of the trucks are bringing goods to Chicago which won’t benefit downstate. Even I-55 and I-57 drug runners aren’t even stopping to share the good drugs with us.

Comment by John Bambenek Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:24 pm
Downstate has fewer people, and a lot more miles of roads. many of the state highways are responsibl for state commerce and buisness. This si the type of infrastructure we need to expand to draw more peiople into the state. Roads are not just used by the locals to get to the coffe shop and work; we use them to bring tourist into the state, for shipping goods, and attarcting pass through travelers who stop off and buy gas and soda etc on their travels.

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:25 pm
Rich, you say IDOT did the study in your summation above, but the article says the Legislative Research Unit. I ask because I’d like to see a copy of the study. Will you post if you get one?

Comment by Disgusted in Chi Boogie Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:27 pm
si has more roads, therefore more money.

heaven forbid SI would get more money than chicago on any front!

Comment by Speaking At Will Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:31 pm
If the Chicago area folks had to drive on the gravel roads that people in Southern Illinois drive on every day, they would be screaming bloody murder. We deal with it. The main road in and out of our local grain elevator is not even rated for 80,000 pounds– which means that during parts of the year you get to drive almost 20 miles out of your way to deliver grain. We need 80,000lbs roads in Southern Illinois.

Comment by Pop Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:31 pm
This old saw again?

According to highway mileage of all roads in the system, 24,275 miles or 17.2% of state roads are in Chicagoland’s District 1, and 116,484 miles or 82.8% are elsewhere in the state.

Also according to the latest stats, District 1 motorists accounted for 58 billion or 55.2% of the total 105 billion vehicle miles traveled in 2008.

http://www.dot.il.gov/travelstats/2008_ITS.pdf

So, at one extreme we should fund downstate at 82% based on mileage, and at the other extreme 42% based on usage of the system.

The idealized formula of 55% downstate/45% District 1 seems to strike the right balance between geography and usage. If you are going to attempt to pay for 82% of the system with 30% or 40% of the funds, you had better be prepared to decide which highways and bridges you will close, let go to pot, or transfer to the locals (if they will even take them off the state’s hands).

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:37 pm
Rich, Thanks for providing the report (and everything else)!

Comment by Disgusted in Chi Boogie Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:38 pm
correction: “and at the other extreme 45% based on usage of the system.”

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:39 pm
===si has more roads, therefore more money. ===

Um, no. Downstate has more roads, but a tiny fraction of the traffic per mile. So, the roads aren’t in need of maintenance as often.

===heaven forbid SI would get more money than chicago on any front!===

Historically, southern Illinois has been a big state tax eater per capita. Chicago has been about even. The suburbs are tax exporters.

Southern Illinois does, however, create louder noises about their tax dollars allegedly going to Chicago than any other region. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:39 pm
John Bambenek is also correct that about 90% of state and federal public transit funding is directed to the Chicago area.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:41 pm
I guess it all comes down to how you slice the pie.

Comment by Stones Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:42 pm
Rich, is 45% a “tiny fraction”?

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:42 pm
Sorry, didn’t grasp the distinction between live feed and news stories. You’re right, they’re using some annoying version of the Windows Media Player thing that even Flip4Mac can’t play. I’d email them and let them know who’s NOT listening to their stories….

Comment by Mgmax Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:44 pm
===I’d email them and let them know who’s NOT listening to their stories…. ===

I’ve been doing that for years, plus face-to-face requests. To no avail.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:45 pm
===Rich, is 45% a “tiny fraction”===

Per mile, dude. Per mile.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:46 pm
It seems to me that downstate evey cowpath is designated a state highway thereby pushing maintainance costs to the state.
Why do we have I72 and I74 when neither have much traffic at anytime? Those are just two examples of downstate road funds waste. What about all those useless interchanges on I57 and I55? They really should quit their whining. Somebody might actually start to pay attention.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:47 pm
Anyone who travels the agricultural areas of IL will see the container trailers that are now used to haul grain. These trailers are often overloaded to 100,000 lbs. Talk to any downstate IDOT or county highway official about the damage that is occurring. Yes, it is an enforcement issue, but let’s just say the law is highly encouraged to look the other way. Isn’t there also a recent state law allowing slightly overweight agricultural movements over highways in IL?

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:51 pm
Bill,

84,993 of the 116,424 miles (73%) of public roads downstate are maintained by the locals, according to my link above.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:56 pm
Everybody in Illinois should at least once:

–hike the Rocky Bluff trail at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge outside of Marion in the spring when the wildflowers are blooming and the waterfalls are raging from the rains.

–bike the Senator Sam trail near Alton on the Mississippi

–have a Reuben on grilled homemade raisin bread at the Belgian Village in Moline

– enjoy a cold beer and nachos with the works (jalapenos, chili, cheese, sour cream) at a Jackhammers game in Joliet.

– canoe the Kankakee near Kankakee, the Illinois near Peoria, the Rock near Rockford and the Vermillion near Danville

– stroll the streets of old Galena

– spend a full day at Brookfield Zoo, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Museum of Science and Industry

– catch a Big Ten football or basketball game in Champaign or Evanston

–take in a free Grant Park summer festival (Taste, Blues, Jazz, Gospel, Celtic, etc.)

– catch a late-night show at the Green Mill in Uptown and Second City in Old Town

– explore the Illinois Capitol Building for its magnificent architecture, incredible artwork and superior craftsmanship

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:58 pm
Rich - you write “Downstate has more roads, but a tiny fraction of the traffic per mile. So, the roads aren’t in need of maintenance as often.” Traffic is only one factor to consider for maintenance. The weather-freeze and thaw cycle- probably comes into play as much as the traffic carried.

Comment by Fed-up Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 1:59 pm
Per mile, dude. Per mile.

Rich,

Vehicle damage is but one side of the story. A road will get environmental damage just from being out there in the elements and from being salted to the satisfaction of IL public demands of dry roads in wintertime. Poor soil conditions, 10 or 20 freeze thaw cycles per year, and summer/winter temperature extremes, and the scouring action of streams against bridges all contribute to damage on this extensive downstate system before a single vehicle sets forth on it.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 2:02 pm
Fed-up and Six, I agree, but those same weather factors apply to the Chicago area. I’d also ask whether more salt was used per mile in Region 1 than the rest of the state.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 2:02 pm
== Southern Illinois does, however, create louder noises about their tax dollars allegedly going to Chicago than any other region. lol ==

This is true, and I am doing my part to keep that tradition going.

Comment by Speaking At Will Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 2:04 pm
Six,
Do you always have to clutter my opinions with facts?

Comment by Bill Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 2:05 pm
Bill,

Facts are all I have. You guys have the votes.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 2:07 pm
Fed-up and Six, I agree, but those same weather factors apply to the Chicago area.

True, but the necessary repairs to address these in Chicagoland are only spread out over 17% of the state system mileage. It’s the inventory, dude.

As far as the salt, the northern and central districts of IL are on a par with Chicagoland with salt spreadage per mile. South of I-70 they can get by with a little less salt.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 2:11 pm
==I believe some labeled it an inland hurricane== Only ignorant reporters did that because no one knows what a derecho is. By definition, a hurricane forms over water.

I drive horrific state routes every day south of I-70, and they suck. But I also realize why: there are too few people to pay for it. Aside from the interstates, there is very little traffic other than beat-up cars with duct tape forming some part of the vehicle on their way to Wal-Mart.

Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 2:11 pm
===It’s the inventory, dude. ===

So, that’s why they get so much more money? I don’t think that argument explains it.

This funding split has always been a political calculation designed to win legislative votes. Facts and infrastructure priorities have had little to do with it.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 2:14 pm
Punkin Haid got enough to satisfy the Metro East for a few years…

Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 2:15 pm
Well the problem of course is that regardless of whether 2 towns have a million people or 100 people, there is still a tremendous fixed cost of having ANY road connecting the two (assuming we’re not going to be satisfied with a dirt road these days).

The other 96 counties we’re talking about is a HUGE area. I’m not that surprised by the percentages.

In fact if you talk to most downstaters, I think they’ll tell you their impression is that most money stays in the Chicago area. If you show them numbers, they’ll likely tell you it’s Chicago people cooking the books. I’m familiar enough with downstate to know there is an incredible amount of distrust.

One thing to think about is some of those old bridges crossing the Mississipi down there. Beyond St. Louis of course, some of those narrow old things are pretty scary to transverse, especially if a semi is coming the other way.

It’s a hard sell to downstaters that they are hogging funds, evidence notwithstanding.

Comment by just sayin' Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 2:21 pm
I think there are several mistakes with just,populaiton,vmt and fuel consumption when determining funding for NE IL vs the rest of the state. There should be oehter factors such as safety, preservation, freight movement to and from the chicago region. I also didn’t see any mention that the chicago region receives 95% of the state’s transit funding. Under the assumptions of the criteria withing this study- nationally california would receive most all federal funding and alaska would get zero.

Comment by Pasquale Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 2:23 pm
===Aside from the interstates, there is very little traffic other than beat-up cars with duct tape forming some part of the vehicle on their way to Wal-Mart.===

LOL. Very well put Quim! Don’t forget those giant catepillar vehicles pulling some sort of monsterous farm implement cruising at 2 mph.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 2:24 pm
I haven’t had power at my rural Carbondale home since Friday afternoon. Just completed a business lunch in Chicago and none of the Chicago people at the table even knew there had been a storm.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 2:24 pm
Storm? Where?

Comment by Bill Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 2:27 pm
== I haven’t had power at my rural Carbondale home since Friday afternoon. Just completed a business lunch in Chicago and none of the Chicago people at the table even knew there had been a storm. ==

Not suprising Anon. What a disconnect this state has from one area to the other.

Comment by Speaking At Will Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 2:29 pm
I don’t know what the exact formula should be, but it makes sense that more dollars would go on a per-capita basis outside the Chicago metro.

You have a lot more territory to cover, and you have to get the goods and services to market somehow. Lot of heavy trucks carrying a lot of corn and beans.

Still, we’re paying for the tollway system up north, too. Gov. Quinn, are you still on your way to reviewing that agency?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 2:32 pm
Dont question the distribution with IDOTs track record everything they have to be doing in an ethical and above board manner with out every considering government or legislative boundaries. How can we question these IDOT professional who have given up higher paying jobs worked countless hours for the people of illinois and used no political infuluence to secure or maintain their jobs givem a break

Comment by IDOTER Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 2:37 pm
After that storm is cleaned up, are we going to wonder why so much money was spent downstate next year?

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 2:43 pm
I think I will go with the professionals at IDOT over a politician when it comes to the proper allocation of road funding. The belief that funding should be linked to population completely ignores the fact that many of the roads outside the Chicago area are primarily there to move traffic into and out of the region.

Comment by Pelon Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 2:46 pm
Pelon-i was being sarcastic

Comment by IDOTER Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 3:12 pm
So, that’s why they get so much more money? I don’t think that argument explains it.

45% of the money to maintain 17% of the system? Sounds like a fair enough deal to me for Chicagoland.

This funding split has always been a political calculation designed to win legislative votes. Facts and infrastructure priorities have had little to do with it.

However 55/45 was arrived at, it seems to be a reasonable compromise, balancing the increased downstate road mileage with the heavier usage of roads in NE IL. If you, or anyone else, has a more equitable funding plan based on FACTS that will not result in reduced safety or capacity in any region of IL, the forum is yours.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 3:16 pm
=Only ignorant reporters did that because no one knows what a derecho is.=

Though, meteorologists do not believe it is a derecho. Seeming how the storm had an “eye”, they are labeling it more of a “mesocyclone”

Note this Southern Illinoisan Article

http://www.thesouthern.com/articles/2009/05/13/breaking_news/doc4a0aca50b21e8451820390.txt

Comment by TT Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 3:21 pm
The downstaters try to claim there is more road downstate but all the count is how long the road is not how many lanes there are so a two lane road downstate is equal to a 6 or 8 lane road upstate.

Comment by upstater Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 3:23 pm
Rich-

For your Mac/WUIS issue, go get the free multi-platform VLC player. www.videolan.org/vlc/

Save the file, then open it through VLC.

Comment by Mac Fan Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 3:35 pm
Upstater,

That is part of the reason District 1 gets 45% of the state money for maintaining 17% of the state system.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 3:38 pm
You can try to justify it all you want. The real truth is we are getting ripped off. But you know what? We don’t care! Just quit yer whinin’. Take the money and be quiet about it. Stifle the ‘woe is me’ inferiority complex.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 3:49 pm
TT–that link is the “ignorant reporter” I was referring to LOL.

Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 3:49 pm
Not for nothing, but if the people at anon’s staff meeting had been listening to WBBM on Friday afternoon they’d have known there was a storm. WBBM even bumped Drew from the lead at 4:30 and 5:00 for it. I know because I heard it.

If even one person had died — and thank God they didn’t, but if they had — the story would have had more legs in Chicago. That’s not fair or ‘right’, but I think it’s true.

Like many here, I know several people whose homes were damaged by the storm, in some cases severely so. I’m just glad no lives were lost.

Comment by Concerned Observer Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 3:50 pm
Bill-

Once again, your money has bought my silence.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 3:55 pm
Here is the National Weather Service link:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/?n=05_08_2009

Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 3:55 pm
rich, i meant to thank you for writing about the storm the day it happened. if not for your detailed news, up in chicago we would know virtually nothing about what is going on downstate. while it is true that there was some mention on Chicago news, and, yes, “not deaths” makes them cover it less up here, there is huge and tiring and costly damage and upstaters should know about it.

sorry for the pain of those affected, but thankful someone got us the news…rich miller.

Comment by Amy Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 3:57 pm
Six, If you and I were leaders we could solve this state’s fiscal crisis within an hour.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 4:08 pm
I think some of you are forgetting that in the period of time before this study Illinois had not built any new roads downstate for decades. In fact West Central Illinois where I live became known as “Forgotonia:” because Illinois forgot to build any 4 lane roads there. The state has put a lot of money(I assume from the road fund) Into building new roads and expanding 2-lane to 4-lane in downstate. I suspect that’s where the difference in funding, in part, may be found.

Comment by Forgotten Few Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 4:10 pm
Have been out looking at my flooded roads, which by Chicago standards are just cow paths. Some are even gravel. The majority of my roads are oil and chip surface. They are not capable of withstanding 80,000 pound trucks, but tell that to the IL Farm Bureau.
I used to reseal a fourth of my township every year (and many experts recommend a three-year cycle), now I just patch spots, reseal short stretches, and hope for dry Winters and Springs.
From Rich’s original comments, I can’t tell whose side he is on; but all I know is that when they start turning hard roads back to gravel in Chicago, the money will be found to fix them.
Without more money, I expect that I have about five-six years until patching and other temporary fixes won’t do the job…

Comment by Downstate Commissioner Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 4:16 pm
Commish:
Our county is operating under the same situation.

Comment by Forgotten Few Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 4:37 pm
Vote Quimby- I stand corrected. And thanks for the link, I had been looking for more information.

Concerned Observer- Unfortunatley I believe their was at least one casualty. Only one man suffered head trauma and later passed away. So. Ill is lucky it was not worse.

Comment by TT Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 4:56 pm
My opinion is that the roads are built to substandard specs. Sure, it may cost a bit more in the short run to drastically increase the quality but in the long run the savings would be immense. Much of the Old Route 66 - nearing a century old - is still quite serviceable as are the Roman Empire roads. It Can be done however the kickbacks and high prices for substandard materials and work performance would have to stop.

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 5:11 pm
Please clarify that it is an LRU report, not LRB.

Comment by bored on 1 Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 5:28 pm
It is an LRU report.

Comment by GA Watcher Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 5:47 pm
Furthermore, Cook County has 97% of the greed and corruption while us downstaters only get a paltry 3%.

Comment by Ucster Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 5:51 pm
==however the kickbacks and high prices for substandard materials and work performance would have to stop.==

Now wait a minute! That is taking things just a
bit too far.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 5:56 pm
A Citizen - what’s done is done. To reconstruct all the state and local highways to a 4 foot depth with new materials would run into the several hundred billions if not trillions. Budgets dictate the thin asphalt overlays and patching that is done now. I agree, “when” a road is reconstructed (fairly rare these days) it should be done to a high standard for durability’s sake.

Old US 66 is not in the greatest shape in many places these days either, and traffic on it is light in most places with the advent of I-55 in the 70’s. If trucks were pounding it like they do I-55, it would have turned to rubble by now without a major upgrade.

Kickbacks? Substandard work? Call the US Attorney with the evidence. They nailed Palumbo Brothers several years ago.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 6:03 pm
A Citizen, back in the day, didn’t IDOT used to say that Illinois had an unusual geology, as compared to neighboring states, that required the specs? While others suggested a certain statewide association helmed by a prominent Springfield citizen might have more to do with it?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 6:08 pm
Perhaps we could fund a “Pilot” program of building the hundred year road - 30 or 40 miles and demonstrate what results. It should prove illuminating !

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 6:23 pm
Rich, Re your issue of listening to the news on your Mac, there is a piece of software called Parallels that will let you run the Windows operating system on your Mac. It works fine for me for those few applications I want to run that are not available on the Mac.

Comment by jake Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 7:13 pm
Perhaps we could fund a “Pilot” program of building the hundred year road - 30 or 40 miles and demonstrate what results. It should prove illuminating !

Just make sure to dig me up so I can check the results!

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 7:19 pm
Rich, re: your Mac problem - I find it hard to believe that a man of your accomplishments and means doesn’t have both a Mac and a PC on his work area. Take the leap !

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 7:21 pm
Asphalt v. concrete roads is a classic public policy trade-off. Asphalt is cheaper, but needs to be replaced much more often. Concrete lasts much longer, but costs a bundle.

Elected officials would rather issue contracts more often, to lots of companies, than take a longer term approach. On the other hand, as a driver, asphalt repaving is usually done fairly quickly, in a construction season or less. Concrete roads take at least twice as long to redo. Traffic congestion is a certainly factor when making these decisions.

My personally? I’d choose the higher cost and longer construction to build a road that would last for 20 years. I’m apparently in the minority.

Did someone mention Bill Cellini? Seems like the rise of asphalt in Illinois matched the rise in his influence at IDOT back in the day and continues today. He must have been pretty pursuasive. Or something.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 8:56 pm
“Maybe I should direct my ire at WUIS for excluding folks like me.”

Try this:

Copy the URL to clipboard. For example:

http://wuis.streamguys.net/playlist.asp?player=asx&file=/news/TL-1.mp3

Then remove:
playlist.asp?player=asx&file=/
from the URL, leaving:

http://wuis.streamguys.net/news/TL-1.mp3

See if the shortened URL works. (For more info on mac and asx, google:
asx player mac

Comment by media playa Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 9:03 pm
Rich,
To play the individual UIS stories, download a free, open-source media player called VLC…just Google it and dowload

Comment by Mac Helper Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 10:27 pm
What all you guys been talking about? I’ve been busy counting angels on the head of a pin.

Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, May 13, 09 @ 10:30 pm
media playa, that appears to work, but what the heck, man. It’s a bit much.

Still, thanks.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 12:20 am
I’ll stay out of the Mac diagnosis….

TT: Thanks, and you are welcome for the info. NWS has a great site!

Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, May 14, 09 @ 9:14 am