I want to see Blagojevich's "Do Right" pen! Will they tour his basement?
Phineas J. Whoopee
· 1 year ago
I'm pretty sure Blago doesn't have the testicular virility to go through with these cuts. He just wants to ride in on a white horse and say I found the money and will keep the parks open.
I have mixed feeling because if the cuts do go through, I believe it could hasten him leaving office, however, it would adversely affect many people in the short run.
Fan of the Game
· 1 year ago
"What we have here is a public relations push for Illinois tourism at exactly the same time that the governor and the General Assembly are combining to devastate Illinois tourism in areas throughout Downstate Illinois."
The irony in this is not lost. Does the governor believe the way to grow Illinois is to close the attractions that bring people here? I continue to be amazed at the lack of leadership.
soccermom
· 1 year ago
The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park is a huge tourism engine. It is insane to me that the Dana House -- an international gem, and one of Wright's most beautiful homes -- is being closed instead of being marketed to architecture fans worldwide.
VanillaMan
· 1 year ago
Tour highlights:
Bridgeview Governor's Residence: This is the home where reclusive governor Rod Blagojevich hid from 2003 until 2011. We will take a look at all the skeletons in each of his closets, see the Paul Powell shoebox where he kept $25,000 "job applications", and have a seminar on Governor Blagojevich's hair care product usage. Other highlights include the Governor's John Wayne pajamas, his Chicago Cubs "dugout" room, and his unique weight room where nothing is heavier than 2 pounds. It has no library or study.
Blagojevich Escape Routes: To move about without detection from the general public, numberous court summons, and Rich Miller, Governor Blagojevich utilized many escape routes throughout Springfield and Chicago. We will walk through hotel kitchens, slide through laundry chutes, dumpster dive in alleys, and crab-walk under John Kass.
For more highlights, contact the Illinois Bureau of Tourism - before we close.
Princess
· 1 year ago
Well, Phineas, if the governor is buffing he's not holding back any cards--lay-off package after lay-off package have been sent out and received. In all the years of threats to close parks, none have gone this far.
On another note, if one gets the change to visit Bishop Hill, stop at the Red Oak if you're into swedish meatballs and homemade noodles with rye bread. I hope the Red Oak can keep going without the state's part in the site. They have branched out with home deliveries and I hope tourism loss does not force it to close. So many cool little places in NW IL region 1 ...
wordslinger
· 1 year ago
Staffers worked for six months and Edelman? That's a lot of firepower to set up any show.
There's still not a peep up north in the dailies or broadcast outlets on the historic sites and parks closings. Sad.
EmptySuitParade
· 1 year ago
Is it fair to mention the EmptySuit Mitchell voted "no" on all spending bills this year? Guess he was not worried about parks and sites then. Just askin' Perhaps StateWideTom will 'splain later
2ConfusedCrew
· 1 year ago
Here is the Edelman PR on their government work...Edelman has established a strong, sound and respected presence within the Government arena. As one of the nation's leading PR firms and the largest independent firm, Edelman provides the very same award-winning teams and effort to our government clients that we do to our commercial clients. With this philosophy as our guide, Edelman's performance of services continues to far exceed the expectations of our government customers - both GSA and non-GSA alike. Edelman's GSA contract number is GS-23F-0273N.
With each government account, we manage costs while never compromising quality and inject creativity into all programs, events and materials. Edelman understands the unique complexity of working with government agencies and our teams make themselves accessible for the rapid-turnarounds that are often required by government clients. Specific industry strengths we touch on in our government work include, but are not limited to, healthcare, science, the environment, transportation, food & nutrition, and consumer and social marketing. Current federal and state government clients include the Government Services Agency (GSA), National Institutes of Health Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), Illinois Department of Travel and Tourism, U.S. Department of Commerce/Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.
Neal Flieger General Manager, Public Affairs
Silverback
· 1 year ago
Perhaps they could be leased (not sold) to the private sector to be ran as a business. Tourism dollars could continue to flow in areas with historical sites.
Phineas J. Whoopee
· 1 year ago
Princess,
When I say he won't go through with the cuts, I really should clarify myself. He will do whatever it takes to make himself look like a hero-in his mind. If that means letting the parks and sites shut down for a short time or even over the winter-so be it. The point is-when can he look like the savior.
The fact that the Chicago media hasn't picked this up yet really is what is causing his bluff to progress. He won't think he is a hero until he can save the day on WLS Channel 7.
The sooner the Chicago news picks up this fiasco, the sooner he will saddle his white horse. Of course, that doesn't help the poor folks who have to have their lives upended while he governs his way into infamy.
Rob_N
· 1 year ago
I wonder who + how many got invited if only 10 are showing up?
The SJR article wouldn't load so if the info's in there I wasn't able to read it.
Legal Eagle
· 1 year ago
Can we still see Mexican President Santa Anna's leather and cork leg at the military museum out near the Springfield Airport? It was seized by an Illinois regiment at the Battle of Cerro Gordo in 1848 during the Mexican War.
wordslinger
· 1 year ago
Legal Eagle, no kidding? Do you know the name of the place?
Does the Illinois State Museum have the clout or capacity to safeguard any of the artifacts that might be put at risk by the closings?
Princess
· 1 year ago
Phineas, tell that to the guys who are scheduled to be in lay-off meeting the 15 thru the 17th, every 15 minutes. They must make their decision as to what they intend to do (retire,bump, k-list ect). You realize, right, that even if few months or the winter of closure does not work in some sites nor does it address the wealth of knowledge and experience of the the individual sites that will be gone if or when the site may reopen. I may also note that Chicago was like the last to know about the flooding this summer in S.IL, oif their doorstep was not flooding, hey, it wasn't news.
I realize what you are saying and think it is the most horrible thing he has done as Governor. An achievment in itself.
Do you know what he and members of his administration are probably thinking? After these old guys retire, who do we know that wants to work in a State Park? Who's kid brother needs a job at a memorial?
Princess
· 1 year ago
Phineas, we best not 'go there' with the "old" comments. I'm sure I'd take offense. Can't say I know of any so far that intend to be pushed out with retirement--ya know they are working people too with families and have to pay gasoline, heating and grocery price increases too. Against popular belief these guys would not be going out with lush pensions.
Legal Eagle
· 1 year ago
The leg is at the Illinois State Military Museum, 1301 N. MacArthur Boulevard. Check the hours -they are limited. It's still in the possession of the Illinois National Guard! Really a pretty advanced prosthesis for the time -but Santa Anna was president of the country, after all!
Cheswick
· 1 year ago
VanillaMan, the “Do Right†pen, through it's own PR firm, talent agency, and booking department, is gunning for a tour of its own - coming to a town near you. (I just made that up.)
Bill
· 1 year ago
===There’s still not a peep up north in the dailies or broadcast outlets on the historic sites and parks closings. Sad.=== That is probably because most people don't care. It is interesting that the same commenters who constantly complain about the governor not paying as we go are now whining about the few cuts he did make. Make up your minds.
Phineas J. Whoopee
· 1 year ago
Bill, I think you are wrong about people not caring about this issue. I believe it is like a freight train in that it has started slowly and will gain momentum until it is almost impossible to stop.
32nd Ward Chicago
· 1 year ago
My family and I visited Springfield for the first time this summer and the Dana-Thomas House tour was a highlight and we hit all the Lincoln-Statehouse sites we could. I've been to 5 or 6 Frank Lloyd Wright houses nationwide and Dana-Thomas is of the caliber of Fallingwater in PA. It's real shame. That tour was step above the Capitol tour where the tour guide's response to every other question, especially any question remotely dealing with the governor's office, was "I don't know, I work for Jesse White, the secretary of state"!
Princess
· 1 year ago
And is there a reason, Bill, that the governor decided to make the cuts in the manner he did? I don't mean the spin, I mean a real reason. Could he have not made cuts to parks across the board instead of slicing the heart out of a small handful? Of course not, that would not have gotten near enough attention. Could not Mr. Flood have spared a bit in S. Il especially in his son's region? Oh, no, no, can't have that, that might have spread the cuts out a bit more fairly/evenly and not affected certain areas near as much as this one big stab wound. Rather Chicago and area papers care one twit or not, the calls and letters have been pouring in from the areas that are affected and many of the visitors to some of the campgrounds happen to be Chi-town area citizens escaping for the weekend. Could the governor not let lose of a bit of his little pile? Do you realize how much funding has been cut from a few of these parks in the last couple years. It wasn't a bit of a cut. And while some may be 'whining' I have yet to hear a decent spin or excuse as to how some of this is saving anything considering forced pay backs of grants could occur.
wordslinger
· 1 year ago
===There’s still not a peep up north in the dailies or broadcast outlets on the historic sites and parks closings. Sad.=== That is probably because most people don’t care. It is interesting that the same commenters who constantly complain about the governor not paying as we go are now whining about the few cuts he did make. Make up your mind===
Bill, save yourself.
They're state parks and historic sites. They're our legacy. It's up to us to pass them on in better shape then we inherited them. Those who are dead and gone left them to us. We're supposed to take care of them and leave them when we're dead and gone.
Most people don't care? What theory of public service are you operating on? Lincoln, Frank Lloyd Wright and beautiful state parks?
You carry the water for every sleazy and nasty deal that Rod can come up with, but you have contempt for trying to save state parks and historic sites? For the half-assed money we're talking about? To paraphrase Lucio on the CTA, and I agree, it's not a lot money in such a big operation.
All Comments
Where?!
I have mixed feeling because if the cuts do go through, I believe it could hasten him leaving office, however, it would adversely affect many people in the short run.
The irony in this is not lost. Does the governor believe the way to grow Illinois is to close the attractions that bring people here? I continue to be amazed at the lack of leadership.
Bridgeview Governor's Residence: This is the home where reclusive governor Rod Blagojevich hid from 2003 until 2011. We will take a look at all the skeletons in each of his closets, see the Paul Powell shoebox where he kept $25,000 "job applications", and have a seminar on Governor Blagojevich's hair care product usage. Other highlights include the Governor's John Wayne pajamas, his Chicago Cubs "dugout" room, and his unique weight room where nothing is heavier than 2 pounds. It has no library or study.
Blagojevich Escape Routes: To move about without detection from the general public, numberous court summons, and Rich Miller, Governor Blagojevich utilized many escape routes throughout Springfield and Chicago. We will walk through hotel kitchens, slide through laundry chutes, dumpster dive in alleys, and crab-walk under John Kass.
For more highlights, contact the Illinois Bureau of Tourism - before we close.
On another note, if one gets the change to visit Bishop Hill, stop at the Red Oak if you're into swedish meatballs and homemade noodles with rye bread. I hope the Red Oak can keep going without the state's part in the site. They have branched out with home deliveries and I hope tourism loss does not force it to close. So many cool little places in NW IL region 1 ...
There's still not a peep up north in the dailies or broadcast outlets on the historic sites and parks closings. Sad.
Just askin'
Perhaps StateWideTom will 'splain later
With each government account, we manage costs while never compromising quality and inject creativity into all programs, events and materials. Edelman understands the unique complexity of working with government agencies and our teams make themselves accessible for the rapid-turnarounds that are often required by government clients.
Specific industry strengths we touch on in our government work include, but are not limited to, healthcare, science, the environment, transportation, food & nutrition, and consumer and social marketing. Current federal and state government clients include the Government Services Agency (GSA), National Institutes of Health Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), Illinois Department of Travel and Tourism, U.S. Department of Commerce/Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.
Neal Flieger
General Manager, Public Affairs
When I say he won't go through with the cuts, I really should clarify myself. He will do whatever it takes to make himself look like a hero-in his mind. If that means letting the parks and sites shut down for a short time or even over the winter-so be it. The point is-when can he look like the savior.
The fact that the Chicago media hasn't picked this up yet really is what is causing his bluff to progress. He won't think he is a hero until he can save the day on WLS Channel 7.
The sooner the Chicago news picks up this fiasco, the sooner he will saddle his white horse. Of course, that doesn't help the poor folks who have to have their lives upended while he governs his way into infamy.
The SJR article wouldn't load so if the info's in there I wasn't able to read it.
Does the Illinois State Museum have the clout or capacity to safeguard any of the artifacts that might be put at risk by the closings?
It's called the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum.
I realize what you are saying and think it is the most horrible thing he has done as Governor. An achievment in itself.
Do you know what he and members of his administration are probably thinking? After these old guys retire, who do we know that wants to work in a State Park? Who's kid brother needs a job at a memorial?
That is probably because most people don't care. It is interesting that the same commenters who constantly complain about the governor not paying as we go are now whining about the few cuts he did make. Make up your minds.
That tour was step above the Capitol tour where the tour guide's response to every other question, especially any question remotely dealing with the governor's office, was "I don't know, I work for Jesse White, the secretary of state"!
That is probably because most people don’t care. It is interesting that the same commenters who constantly complain about the governor not paying as we go are now whining about the few cuts he did make. Make up your mind===
Bill, save yourself.
They're state parks and historic sites. They're our legacy. It's up to us to pass them on in better shape then we inherited them. Those who are dead and gone left them to us. We're supposed to take care of them and leave them when we're dead and gone.
Most people don't care? What theory of public service are you operating on? Lincoln, Frank Lloyd Wright and beautiful state parks?
You carry the water for every sleazy and nasty deal that Rod can come up with, but you have contempt for trying to save state parks and historic sites? For the half-assed money we're talking about? To paraphrase Lucio on the CTA, and I agree, it's not a lot money in such a big operation.
Hey, Bill, buddy, is this who you want to be?