DISQUS

Doug Dobmeyer · 2 years ago

Great pic! Dramatic pic of legislative leaders intensely pushing a point. Something we should all aspire to.

Doug

Anonymous 1818 · 2 years ago

"Then I grabbed Rod by the hair and said, 'Who's your Speaker? Who's your Speaker?!'"

Mr. Progressive · 2 years ago

I had the budget in my hands, but it was taken away from me. It was right here in these hands I tell you the truth.

ttgirl · 2 years ago

I'm telling you DUDE to trust us Democrats.

one of the 35 · 2 years ago

"Let me explain this to you again, son, you are the MINORITY party!"

DeepFriedOnAStick · 2 years ago

"Mr. Cross, you must excuse Mr. Mapes. He consumed a bowl of chili this large. I cautioned him against it, but he unfortunately did not take my advice."

Bluebyrd · 2 years ago

The two most powerful men in the Illinois House brief Tom Cross on the current budget situation.

Squideshi · 2 years ago

"For God's sake Tom, what will it take to get you to agree to help override the Governor's veto!?"

Rich Miller · 2 years ago

To the three deleted commenters so far and others who may follow...

Either control your anger or face immediate and permanent banishment.

That is all.

Squideshi · 2 years ago

"Mmmm... That's an AWFULLY nice tie, Mr. Cross."

Don't Worry, Be Happy · 2 years ago

"Don't talk about John Paxson that way! He ran a great draft and this is going to be the Bulls' year!"

Squideshi · 2 years ago

"See... It's like this... Either you help override the Governor's veto, or my friend here is going to crush your head like a grapefruit. You wouldn't want him to do that, would you Tom? Don't make me be the bad guy here."

downhereforyears · 2 years ago

Tom, Tom, Tom read my lips, don't trust him DON'T EVER TRUST HIM!

Squideshi · 2 years ago

(Oh, this is the best picture ever. I can't get enough. Sorry!)

"How much do you love me? This much?"

Tom · 2 years ago

"Just when I thought that I was out of Springfield, Blago and Emil pull me back in!"

Tired · 2 years ago

I apologize - I thought this was to poke a little fun at the picture for a cute caption, was not my opinion whatsoever. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

HarryB · 2 years ago

" I am amazed Tom but it does appear we can get more accomplished when we de decide to all work together! Who know?"

Anon · 2 years ago

Look, we'll extend the Orange Line all the way to Oswego if you support an RTA tax hike.

Squideshi · 2 years ago

"Okay okay... You help override the Governor's veto and I will you Republicans this much extra space in the aisle."

Fan of the Game · 2 years ago

Anon 1818,

That is hilarious!

Leigh · 2 years ago

Awesome photo.

47th Ward · 2 years ago

"Dunn, Schock, Meyer, Krause and now Black? At this rate your caucus is going to be about this big after the next election, small enough to fit in Mapes' pocket, right Tim?"

Belle · 2 years ago

And I snuck up real quiet behind that irrelevant jerk like this see....

Ravenswood Right Winger · 2 years ago

"Trust me, Tom! Paul Froelich is this close to switching back to your side."

Jaded · 2 years ago

Sorry, didn't think mine was that bad (and I could actually hear him saying that). Let me try another route.

"I can't believe it either Mr. Cross. Most people's heads are only this big, but Mr. Hoffman's is absolutely huge.

(When in doubt take a shot at punkinhaid)

DeepFriedOnAStick · 2 years ago

"Mr. Cross, in precisely 20 seconds, I will begin choking you. Thereafter, your head will swell until it bursts between my hands."

Everybody's a Comedian · 2 years ago

...and just as the governor is going to kick the football, you pull it away at the last second!

Bird Man · 2 years ago

"I do not look like Conan O'Brien. Now take it back or I'll wake up Mr. Mapes and then you'll really be sorry."

Wumpus · 2 years ago

- Anonymous 1818 - Wednesday, Aug 8, 07 @ 2:19 pm:

“Then I grabbed Rod by the hair and said, ‘Who’s your Speaker? Who’s your Speaker?!’”
Contest was over before it started

Napoleon Has Left The Building · 2 years ago

Rich:
great picture, can you add the audio of the MJM / Cross argument from the floor during last year's end of session?

I have two entries in the contest:

#1
Mister Cross, I've explained the plan to you. Now do you understand?
Yes, Speaker I understand.
Okay, then I will explain it again. Here's what I would like you to do. . .

#2
Can't you keep some of your members? I really don't want a supermajority. Perhaps, maybe I can trade you some of ours. You can have Dunkin and Hoffman. Okay, Mister Cross?

Levois · 2 years ago

Do you take these pics Rich?

Lance Stevens · 2 years ago

"ok Tom, we got deal... You get Hoffman's seat and I'll take Blacks, Schock's and Meyers. no good?? Why??"

Levois · 2 years ago

Oh and while the minority leader looks confuse the Speaker of the House makes an overly complicated point with the use of expressive hand gestures.

bored now · 2 years ago

that LITTLE pip-squeak. i'll show him!

OneMan · 2 years ago

The burgers are like this big, lets adjourn and go get some.

So I said to the governor, I hold your future in my hands and... opps.

Speaker Mike Madigan demonstrates to Tom Cross the Jedi mind trick he used to convince the governor that the GRT was a good idea.


Nothing in my hands...

So I said, 'See nothing in my hands' then I pulled a budget out of his hair...

Black Fan · 2 years ago

"How many times does Mr. Mapes have to tell you, THERE IS NO FOOD ALLOWED on the House floor, do you hear me? Don't make me have to tell you again."

OneMan · 2 years ago

I then I touched his hair and my hands couldn't move any closer than this, I swear it is like a helmet.

The Guild of Calamitous Intent · 2 years ago

"There was a fish in the percolator!"

Jackson · 2 years ago

Really, Tom, They are this big.

I saw them with my own eyes. He wasn't kidding.

Siyotanka · 2 years ago

Uh...excuse me Mr. Speaker, is that a wire your wearing?
Mr. Speaker...and then you take the string run it through your fingers like this...and you get Cats in the Cradle. The Gov likes visual effects.

Melon Head · 2 years ago

"I'll tell you one thing, Mr. Testicular Virility isn't kidding!"

anon · 2 years ago

You are in the naughty chair because you went to yesterday's meeting when I told you not to go!

Bob · 2 years ago

"Ok Tom, watch one more time...

Here's the church, here's the steeple. Open the doors and see all the people.

No Tom, it's not magic...No, I can't make the Governor disappear. No, you don't understand...argh. Fine Tom, you win. It IS magic. Help me override the veto and I'll teach it to you."

Reality Check · 2 years ago

"Tom, you are getting very, very, sleepy. At the count of Three, you will be back under my spell once again, and will follow all my commands again. One... Two...

OneMan · 2 years ago

Too bad he thinks with them...

Jaded · 2 years ago

I guess the SJR got tired of you picking on their blog all the time.

Skeeter · 2 years ago

I am more interested what the guy behind Madigan is saying:

"Looks like Blago finally passed through your system, Mr. Speaker. Can we get somebody with a mop over here?"

DeepFriedOnAStick · 2 years ago

Hey Ted, why don't you tell us how you define "paid site"?

Ok, no · 2 years ago

This, maybe?

"Noncommercial. You let others copy, distribute, display, and perform your work — and derivative works based upon it — but for noncommercial purposes only"

You sell ad space and reserve some content for paying subscribers. In other words, you derive income from this site. That sounds like "commercial purposes" to me.

Just my 2 cents.

Rich Miller · 2 years ago

Nope. From the example of that item you mentioned...

===Examples: Gus publishes his photograph on his website with a Noncommercial license. Camille prints Gus’ photograph. Camille is not allowed to sell the print photograph without Gus’s permission.===

From the example, it appears to mean that I can't sell the photo.

Yellow Dog Democrat · 2 years ago

Ted Schurter - "Mr. Poopy Pants of the Year"

Rich Miller · 2 years ago

...And since it's not behind a subscriber password, I'm not selling access to the photo, either.

Levois · 2 years ago

Heh, my question was answered. Someone was bound to spoil the fun.

Unanimous Anonymous · 2 years ago

Hey.... Ted Here.... fresh from policing the internet for the third time today. I've googled my name 10 times in the last hour and now I'm off to take some more pictures that you can't post. MUUHAHAAA!

Chicago Cynic · 2 years ago

A paid site means people pay to access it. This is not a paid site. Apparently he's confusing the CapFax with the blog.

anon · 2 years ago

Sorry, I'm really tired today and not thinking clearly. Where's the pic?

South of I-80 · 2 years ago

I told you, that budget is not that tight, that we have to drop the SJ-R subscription!!

Queen B · 2 years ago

That's it, Rich! Fight the power!

kane county doc · 2 years ago

Who's your speaker is the winner--c'mon Rich -end the deal--that was awesome!

Little Egypt · 2 years ago

I'm not kiddin' you Tommy, I just saw Danny Hynes' and I swear on my grandmother's grave that they were THIS big!

gulag · 2 years ago

"There's room in my caucus for you, Tom! I'll give you twice the member initiatives that I promised Froehlich! You even could be Chairman of Transportation!"

Still Stunned · 2 years ago

Tell the kids it's going to be fine. We are not splitting up. We just need some space. We always fight about money. We will get back together soon.

Diamond Dog · 2 years ago

See, you're stalling. And my friend Mr. Mapes hear, he don't like stallers. They make him upset. You don't want to make my friend upset, do ya Tom?"

Justice · 2 years ago

Really, they call it a Horseshoe. It has cheese poured all over fries and with hamburger or shrimp, or ham, all on toast and it's this big! My gawd, I'm starved!

Skeeter · 2 years ago

"Who's your speaker" is very good, but let's be honest: It doesn't really fit the picture. Madigan's hands are too close together.

Blago's head is WAY bigger than that.

Feel free to rip Blago all day, but you do have to admit, he's got a big head.

howie · 2 years ago

You don't know the power of the dark side! Join me and together we can rule the galaxy....."

Squideshi · 2 years ago

Rich, your website is NOT a pay website. The website is a free service; although you DO offer a separate pay subscription service, with premium content above and beyond the free service; but nonetheless, you didn't post the graphic there.

Further, the SJR website simply says "All Content © The State Journal-Register" and I can't find ANY reference to Creative Commons licensing ANYWHERE on the SJR website. There are different Creative Commons licenses, each with different permissions, and SJR doesn't seem to display any of the CC symbols, link to any of the CC pages, or include the text of any of these licenses.
Lastly, and most importantly, unless you actually downloaded the graphic, copied it to your server, are hosting it there, and are serving this copy to clients directly, you haven't copied anything--the only thing contained on your website SHOULD be an HTML IMG tag with a hyperlink pointing the image on their site. Sure, our web browsers will contact the SJR site, download the graphic, and display it in conjunction with your website; however, you haven't copied anything--the only thing that you are doing is pointing to the LOCATION of the graphic on the SJR server. This is like saying that a footnote or citation pointing to a book must be removed because the book is copyrighted and a reader MIGHT go find the actual book and read it (That's really all the browser does.)

I say link to the graphic, let clients hit the SJR website and use up their bandwidth, rather than hosting a local copy, if that's what they want.

Yellow Dog Democrat · 2 years ago

It reminds me of the old Bill Cosby skit, "Toss of the Coin.".

Picture Tim Mapes as the referee:

"Tom Cross of the Republican Caucus, this is Speaker Madigan of the Democratic Caucus."

"Speaker Madigan of the Democratic Caucus, this is Tom Cross of the Republican Caucus."

"If you'd shake hands, gentlemen."

"O.K., Republicans, call the toss."

"Republicans called heads, it is tails."

"Speaker Madigan, what are you gonna do?"

"Speaker Madigan says that Each Democrat will define their positions on the issues according to the districts they represent, and they will rely on vastly superior planning, coordination and fundraising to bombard with heavy artillery at will."

"Republicans, you will take dogmatic positions in adherence to your party platform regardless of the district, you must use the same campaign strategy as last time and you will be armed with pea shooters and firing randomly, hoping to get lucky."

Squideshi · 2 years ago

Rich, I found the following resource for you about exactly this issue.

Also see this case from California for the supporting argument.

been there · 2 years ago

"See, a casino is a terrible idea, and all of those rich Republicans who vote for your members will never notice an income tax increase. See? And pay no attention to Mapes, here, with the blackjack in his pocket."

HoosierDaddy · 2 years ago

Sorry Rich. Yep, I knew better.

"See Tom, delivering a budget is a lot like delivering a baby.. first you gotta..."

unclesam · 2 years ago

Madigan: "... and that's how it ends."

Cross: "What did you name this plan?"

Madigan: "The Aristocrats!"

Herself · 2 years ago

"Dang it Tom, I told you to get a MOU not an IOU."

North of I-80 · 2 years ago

I saw 'em I tell you... the Governor's were THIS big.

anon · 2 years ago

MM: Did you just double dip that chip?
Cross: Excuse me?
MM: You dipped the chip, you took a bite, and you dipped again.
Cross: So?
MM: That's like putting your whole mouth right in the dip. Look, from now on when you take a chip, just take one dip and end it!

RightGirl · 2 years ago

"Look into my eyes Tom Cross!...You are getting very sleepy"

Missing Springfield · 2 years ago

The Aristocrats! LOL!!!!!!!

L.S. · 2 years ago

unclesam wins. That's brilliant.

7:05 · 2 years ago

I think I can help here--the creativecommons explanation is not very clear.

A noncommercial site is a site that does not seek to make a buck. I know some people have a hard time understanding why a private individual would put up a site that didn't seek to make a buck, but that was the norm many years ago.

This site has ads, therefore it does make a buck.

Since you are making a buck, the photo's owner wants to be paid before you use his photo in your profit-making venture. It's fair.

Papa Legba · 2 years ago

Holy crap Tom. I need help! I grabbed Blago by the hair and now my hands have frozen like this. What does he have on his head? Got any industrial cleaning solvents?

Gregor · 2 years ago

"I know, Tom, I miss that rug too: it really tied the room together."

Give Me A Break · 2 years ago

Don't worry about the camera Tom, I give it this long and the SJR will make Rich take the pic. off line.

Mapes, get on it.

Ahem · 2 years ago

"OK, imagine I'm holding my grandchild. The grandchild that I can't be with because this guy won't be a real politician and engage in THE FREAKING ART OF COMPROMISE, THE MOST BASIC THING THAT ANY SELF-RESPECTING POLITICIAN WOULD KNOW.

I'm sorry, I lost my composure. I was talking about my sweet, adorable grandchild WHO'S MISSING GRAMPS BECAUSE SOME BULLHEADED GUY CAN'T CUT A DEAL AND LET THE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SOME SAY.

Oh, gosh, I did it again. I'm so sorry..."

A Citizen · 2 years ago

I'm tellin you that politician from Louisiana in DC got a hunnerd grand in a package this small and had it in his freezer! Man that's what I call cold cash. Hmmm, wonder how many of those little pkgs. Rod and Patty have from Rezko in their freezer, or maybe the one at the campaign office? Heck, betcha Patty doesn't even know boudit.

Game plan · 2 years ago

ohman these are incredible.

Listen boys, I'm tired, I need the CDB dollars and I need to go home. That's it. The horse-shoe sammies are killing my diet and the plumbing isn't going to last much longer. BTW, did you hear what Hynes said, no paychecks?

Sage Observer · 2 years ago

I've got the whole ... world ... in my hands, I've got the whole wide world ... in my hands, I've got the whole ...

the Other Anonymous · 2 years ago

For movie fans.

Nosferatu, the Remake: The Session That Wouldn't Die

Late night anon · 2 years ago

With apologies to Quentin Tarantino:

And what, pray tell, is the five-point-palm-exploding-heart technique?

Quite simply, the deadliest blow in all of politics. He hits you with his fingertips at five different pressure points on your body politic. And then he lets you walk away. But after you've taken five special sessions, your heart explodes inside your body, and you fall to the floor, dead. Allow me to demonstrate.

Tommy Boy · 2 years ago

"No Tom, for the last time, I don't know where you can get a spine implant."

Rev'd up · 2 years ago

Tom, you know we can't fit a boat in that little space!

gus bode · 2 years ago

So let me tell you just how much GateHouse media sucks.

Like Ozzie · 2 years ago

So the news said there is a surge in rabid bats in Sangamon county... and that they bite people in their sleep. I don't know why I didn't make the connection to his behavior sooner...