Columnist

Illinois House is more diverse than people think

Published by admin on Sun, 02/28/2021 - 10:49am

Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch gave his standard reply to a question about redistricting reform last week when queried at the Chicago Economic Club, saying different people have different opinions about what a "fair map" actually is.
But then the new House Speaker leaned a bit harder into the concept of protecting minority rights when redrawing the new legislative district maps than I've heard him do in the past.

Switch cocktails up with a Black Russian

Published by admin on Tue, 02/23/2021 - 12:33pm

Jeff Bridges consumed nine White Russians in the hit 1998 film The Big Lebowski, cementing the drink's cult status for generations to come. The White Russian began a run of popularity in the 1970s that shows no sign of slowing down as the White Russian remains the “go to” drink for many.

New tracks meant new danger, keeping track of the tracks

Published by admin on Tue, 02/23/2021 - 12:07pm

Transportation during Covid is not what it used to be. Even so Amtrak is adding cities to its schedule as more and more people start taking the train. New tracks have been added in our region as we prepare for high speed rail.
This is an historic topic, as the coal towns in this area depended on the railroad to haul the coal. Of course in the day, there were no public meetings or debate. Both the railroad and the coal companies did what they pleased. Today we talk about laying and moving railroad tracks.

The O'Gara's of St. Rose Parish

Published by admin on Tue, 02/23/2021 - 12:04pm

I'm not exactly sure what the real definition of a dynasty is, but if there ever was one at St. Rose parish it was the O'Gara's. Three generations of priests served there, this is their story.
We meet the first O'Gara in September of 1872 when he arrived in Wilmington from Bloomington to take over from Fr. Riordan.

Madigan relieved to be done with it all

Published by admin on Sun, 02/21/2021 - 2:44pm

"The 22nd District is a garden," then-House Speaker Michael Madigan told reporters several years ago when asked about his House district. Some thought it was funny, but he was serious. And he's most definitely the head gardener.
I've often said that Madigan, who officially resigned from the House on Feb. 18 after more than 50 years in office, ran the Speaker's office like he ran his ward and district offices. So, the House was an even bigger garden than his home turf.

Finding that perfect someone, or love in bloom

Published by admin on Tue, 02/16/2021 - 2:24pm

Last weekend was Valentine’s, a fact that at my age I usually try to overlook. Love has been a part of human history since Adam and Eve. Finding the right person has always been a problem though. Today we look at love or at least how to find one.
Before one can love, one must find someone to love. In the early frontier that was Will County, that was not easy. In the earliest “lonely hearts” ad I can find, one Homer Township man solved the problem.

The official cocktail of grounded flights

Published by admin on Tue, 02/16/2021 - 2:14pm

Old Man Winter is showing no signs of going peacefully. Snow on the ground, snow in the forecast, and O'Hare Airport recorded the largest snowfall since November 2015. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled in the last week alone, perhaps more cancellations are on the way. This is the type of situation that calls for the official cocktail of grounded flights, the Irish Coffee.
I'm not actually sure that there is an “official” cocktail of grounded flights, but if there were it would have to be the Irish Coffee.

Surviving the deep snow of 1830

Published by admin on Tue, 02/16/2021 - 9:14am

Sitting in my office, looking out at the snow that has me trapped inside, it is easy to feel sorry for myself and others who cannot get out. Cabin fever is a real disease, and I am afraid there is no vaccine. So, partially to make myself feel better, today's topic is the worst winter in history in Will County, that of 1830 -31. The Black Hawk War had yet to be fought, and there were a very few courageous settlers who braved the unknown on the Great Prairie during those years. This is their story.

New rules in Illinois House is just the first step

Published by admin on Sat, 02/13/2021 - 12:49pm

While the House Republicans made some decent points last week when arguing against the chamber's new rules, they all but dismissed some pretty darned historic changes.
For years, decades even, the House Republicans have argued for leadership term limits. House Speaker Michael Madigan rebuffed them at every single turn. Heck, Madigan retaliated against members of his own party who dared broach the subject.

Celebrate Mardi Gras with a Sazerac cocktail

Published by admin on Tue, 02/09/2021 - 10:31am

It's Mardi Gras time in New Orleans! Well, kind of. Fat Tuesday will be here in under two weeks, and many will celebrate in the Crescent City, but it's going to look different.
Most notably absent will be the parades of elaborately decorated floats. Following the cancellation of the parades, many New Orleans residents have decorated the exterior of their homes to resemble the festive floats in an effort to keep the carnival spirit alive.