What happens after Michael Madigan?

IL House of Representatives by Marie Beschen

I don't talk about state politics as much I used to here, however, Rich Miller's Crain Chicago Business column that he shared on his blog Monday was most interesting. Recently we saw the process run its course in Illinois' state senate as they elected a new presiding officer in state Senator Don Harmon a Democrat from Oak Park, Illinois.

The last state Senate President served over 10 years, this column is about what happens when current state House Speaker Michael Madigan finally leaves the scene. Madigan has been speaker for all but two of the last 36 or so years. Madigan in the years I've been following state politics is a true force.

“A battle unlike anything else” https://t.co/47VEK9fzsf

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) February 3, 2020

What I can agree is anyone who succeeds Madigan will have a difficult time trying to fill his shoes. During the Blagojevich years it was definitely a good thing to have a man who knows how to use the levers of power and be the main adult in the room. He may have his secrets but certainly someone who wants his power should know to study him.

The column gives me a basic idea even if I'm nowhere near the levers of power. It's a good thing to take care of those in your caucus, that should be the main focus of a leader. I also know that trying to be like Madigan would be a mistake for the next person to try to take over as presiding officer of the Illinois state House of Representatives after decades of one man being a major force in this state.

2006: Two state capitols!!! revisited

I'm just going to share the link to this 12 year old post here. Took an Amtrak train from Dallas, Texas during roughly this time back then and went through two state capital cities Little Rock, Arkansas & of course Springfield, Illinois.

Despite having an interest I've never actually been there. It's time to put some plans into motion as far as that. This is what I saw about that back then:

BTW, I would like to do a special field trip to Springfield, Illinois at some point. I don't know when but I would like to do something when I do for this blog. Hopefully do a little bit more than my vacation last summer in Washington, DC. It'll be fun and I'll be sure to work on it.

Make it happen Levois!

2006 - Springfield, Illinois

Illinois Governor's mansion is reopened

[VIDEO] Over the weekend I've learned that Illinois' Governor's mansion has been reopened to the public. Referred to as the people's house by current Governor Bruce Rauner I do admire the work they have put into the 19th century home. It is one of the three oldest continuously used governor's mansion in the nation. Also it was formerly known at the "executive mansion" until an executive order by none other than Gov. Rauner.

I'm very glad about the work put into this residence which has suffered from neglect over the past decade. For the most part many of Illinois' recent governors have either stayed in Springfield part-time especially with the state legislature in session or they commuted by air to Illinois' capital as former governor Rod Blagojevich had done during his time in office.

Hopefully it will continue to get the "TLC" is deserves. I would credit Gov. Rauner for this, however, he's an unpopular politician at this moment. He did put up some funds and the restoration used private funding.

Now I recognize that it's time to pay Springfield a visit. I've toured Washington even was on a tour of the White House. I've never seen a session of the US Congress, of the Illinois General Assembly, or even of Chicago's City Council. But Springfield I've only passed through on occasion towards other destinations. Perhaps it's time to see how historic that city is, and besides this is the town the 16th POTUS called home before his 1860 election.

Sometimes I miss things like this on Twitter

So our new Governor hasn't been in office for almost two weeks and he's showing us his road trip to Springfield. Of course he made some stops along the way especially seeing some state troopers and a quick stop for his dogs and some Micky D's. And you would think he's driving in a fancy luxury car right?

Well this tweet is from one of the governor's staffers.

This is happening... #rollingtrashcan pic.twitter.com/mYmBbH04mm
— LTrover (@LTrover) January 24, 2015

The last time I saw that vehicle it took him to the south side to make a deposit at a neighborhood credit union. So if it got to the south side safe and sound as a candidate for Governor, it could get him to Springfield our state capitol.

At least we can say this for Gov. Rauner, at least he forgo a trip on a state aircraft as one of his predecessors Rod Blagojevich had. And for good measure he came home to the executive mansion in Sprinfield as well.

Stella pumpkin and I made to the mansion! What's a fun ride. Glad to be home pic.twitter.com/M9oXKKYvws
— Bruce Rauner (@GovRauner) January 24, 2015

Here's hoping this is what we can look forward to the next four years. A traveling Governor showing us around the great state we call Chicago...I mean Illinois.

BTW, hopefully I can catch this stuff on Twitter when I see it. :P

Bring back Illinois' governor's mansion

Mattheux Photo - flikr

I may have written about this a few times and now it's time to talk about it again.

Over the years, the issue of the Governor of Illinois living in Springfield the state capital has come up from time to time. Our Ousted governor - convicted felon Rod Blagojevich - chose to avoid staying there during his time in office. His successor and former Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn made noise about staying in the governor's mansion in Springfield although it appears he didn't follow through.

Now that we will have a new governor next January this issue has come up again. Governor-elect Bruce Rauner has pledged to use private funds to fully restore Illinois' Governor's mansion. Reportedly the mansion is a victim of a leaking roof and a flooding basement.

[VIDEO] The video above from the The State Journal-Register out of Springfield is from almost five years ago regarding the state of the governor's mansion. You can also watch this video from the Illinois Channel regarding the governor's mansion.

BTW, for the Illinois Channel program you made need to download a java plug-in. Unfortunately they have yet to upload that program to their YouTube channel and I hope they do even if this program was from almost 5 years ago.

Anyway, there is a perception that those who must work in Springfield especially our many election officials from the executive branch to the General Assembly to the state Supreme Court they want to get out of there when their work is down. It's as if there's nothing down there to keep them downstate.

Although it's not like Springfield has literally nothing. Personally all I've done is pass through the state capital back and forth when I've taken Amtrak trips to Dallas, Texas. It's one of my goals to visit this historic city and there's no excuse since I don't even have to leave this state.

As a matter of fact when Conan O'Brien came to Chicago a few years ago he paid a visit to Springfield. He's a confessed Abraham Lincoln admirer and that figured in his visit then.

Let's hope Governor-elect Rauner will spend as much time in Springfield to "bring back Illinois".

To protest an American right

[VIDEO] On Wednesday a group of protesters disrupted a session of the Illinois House of Representatives by dropping fake paper money on legislators. They were part of a group refered to as Represent.Us and the video you see above is from their YouTube channel.

Rich Miller wrote: "Notice that nobody started grabbing at the fake money."

This display was a protest against "loopholes" in Illinois' anti-corruption laws. And taking Millers quote into context it's funny that Illinois politicians are seen as corrupt - well especially Chicago politicians - but most of the members who were closest to the money drop knew it would've been bad PR to touch that. Even if the money was fake.

Well, assuming anyone asked for my take on it. :P

REPOST: Springfield Race Riot of 1908 from the Illinois Channel

[VIDEO] Back in 2007, I posted about this Illinois Channel segment about the Springfield, Illinois race riots of 1908. This week it can be seen on TV again especially if you're watching CAN-TV channels 19 (on Sunday) & 21 (on Saturday). This riot we don't often hear about these days and well it will be noted in this segment.

I repost this now because now this segment is available on YouTube!

Conan O'Brien's shoutout to Springfield, Illinois...

[VIDEO] Before I knew it Conan's TBS program came to town and hadn't even bothered to get tickets beforehand. It's alright, my goal is to eventually find my way to Los Angeles so that I can attend a taping in person. Besides that had been my goal since he was still in NYC doing Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

While he is in Chicago until today, I did get a kick out of this segment where he visited Springfield, Illinois. Who says a major TV program who is temporarily in Chicago has to stay in the city. Conan is a certified Abraham Lincoln buff so this makes a lot of sense. Perhaps in the future more TV shows might consider taking a day trip to Springfield, Illinois!

Another thing I got a kick out of, last night's episode showed fan suggestions for sites to place Conan's huge bobble-head statue. He definitely used my suggestion I posted on Twitter!

#cocobobble right next to MJs statue outside of the United Center
— Levois (@levois) June 13, 2012

Unfortunately, I'm disappointed that he didn't even have a video of any fan suggestions for his bobble head statue. But you can see last night's program at this link!

Also here's a shout to that Abe Lincoln impersonator's website @ http://lancepresentsabe.com

Springfield to require training after nooses found

AP:

City officials in Springfield say plans are in the works to require city workers to take diversity and sensitivity training after two nooses were found hanging at city facilities.

The nooses were found earlier this summer hanging at the city's water and electricity department. One of the nooses was found at the work station of a black employee.

Nooses are often considered symbols of racial oppression, invoking images of racist lynchings.

Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin says he didn't think sensitivity training would be necessary in the year 2010, but he's learned more needs to be done.

Authorities are investigating if criminal charges will be filed against the three white employees who allegedly tied and hung the nooses.

You know I thought of these sensitivity training as lame, but really it's not funny or even appropriate to direct nooses towards your fellow black employees. It's very unfortunate that we got people who thinks this is OK. And at that this is over 100 years after some serious race riots there.

Video from the State Journal Register:

A two-section cast bronze sculpture was unveiled in downtown Springfield Thursday to serve as a permanent reminder of the Springfield race riot, which occurred almost 101 years ago. More than 100 people gathered in Union Square Park to dedicate the sculpture, created by artist Preston Jackson, during an hour-long ceremony that included speeches, prayer and music.