Springpatch Parade by Rich Miller

Springpatch Parade

a weekly look inside Illinois politics by Rich Miller

Rich Miller can be reached via thecapitolfaxblog.com

July 2, 2009: The GOP Govs all raised taxes, too
June 25, 2009: They're against tax hikes and they're against cuts
June 18, 2009: Pat Quinn and his game of chicken
June 11, 2009: A worthless report from the Taxpayer Action Board
June 4, 2009: Putting a squeeze on PACs
May 28, 2009: An ethical slip for Quinn
May 21, 2009: Quinn muffed his budget rollout
May 14, 2009: Regulating campaign contributions has a dark side
May 7, 2009: Everyone wants to build but nobaody wants to pay
April 30, 2009: The irony of reform
April 23, 2009: Pat Quinn is the most popular Governor in more than a decade
April 16, 2009: The lesson of 1976
April 9, 2009: I'm a reform agnostic
April 2, 2009: Madigan vs Quinn on reform
March 26, 2009: Nobody really cares about the income tax hike
March 19, 2009: Brady living in a dream world
March 12, 2009: Can a handful of Chicago votes change Illinois?
March 5, 2009: The GOP is on its biannual self-destruction binge
February 26, 2009: Madigan keeps the war going
February 19, 2009: Naming Jerry Stermer says a lot
February 12, 2009: The chickens are coming home to roost
February 5, 2009: Compared to G-Rod, Pat Quinn is a statesman
January 29, 2009: G-Rod's legal team in disarray
January 22, 2009: The State Senate she is a changin'
January 15, 2009: G-Rod: The Defiant One
January 1, 2009: We don't need no stinkin' rules
December 25, 2008: This, too, must end
December 18, 2008: G-Rod, Howard Hughes and the complaint
December 11, 2008: G-Rod: Enough already
November 27, 2008: New State Senate leaders make history
November 20, 2008: The quest to replace Barack Obama reaches far and wide
November 13, 2008: The pro-life/pro-choice issue is still hot in the legislature
November 6, 2008: The irony of Illinois politics
October 30, 2008: One final plea to ask for your vote for con-con
October 23, 2008: Rebutting the arguments against con-con
October 16, 2008: Unions and business groups oppose con-con; not me
October 9, 2008: G-Rod is reason enough to support con-con
October 2, 2008: More reasons to support con-con
September 25, 2008: The fatal attraction to con-con
September 18, 2008: Everyone wants Emil's job
September 11, 2008: I'll take Springfiel;d over DC anyday
September 4, 2008: "I gotta cut back on the 'shrooms"
August 28, 2008: In praise of Emil
August 21, 2008: It was all about the raises
August 14, 2008: The Meeks may inherit the state
August 7, 2008: Special sessions likely to be fruitless
July 31, 2008: The 3-headed purple people eater
July 24, 2008: Con-con opponents going all-out
July 17, 2008: Politics makes strange bedfellows
July 10, 2008: Hard to figure out the mess in Springfield
July 3, 2008: G-Rod budget cuts, are they for real?
June 26, 2008: State Sen. Martin Sandoval flirting with McCain
June 19, 2008: The impeachment memo -- impeached
June 12, 2008: Random thoughts on the Rezko trial and verdict
June 5, 2008: Pay raise politics
May 29, 2008: Declaring victory and going home
May 22, 2008: G-Rod more unpopular than W
May 15, 2008: The G-Rod story generator
May 8, 2008: It's easier to kill something than to pass it
May 1, 2008: "Illinois Gangster
April 24, 2008: Public support term limits and recall
April 17, 2008: Civil War between Madigan and Jones
April 10, 2008: Guess who the recall amendment is aimed at
March 27, 2008: I tackle a few questions
March 20, 2008: Obama has a big edge in Land of Lincoln
March 13, 2008: Another screw-up by G-Rod
March 6, 2008: Sam Zell becoming Public Enemy No. 1
February 28, 2008: Tax hike back on the table
February 21, 2008: The 2010 Governor's race is already on some people's minds
February 14, 2008: Hot times ahead in the state senate
February 7, 2008: Primary races became anti-climactic
January 31, 2008: Is a national recession likely?
January 24, 2008: G-Rod's fall from grace isn't over
January 17, 2008: The evil genius of G-Rod
January 10, 2008: Another worthless special session
December 27, 2007: We're already in the abyss
December 20, 2007: Indictments get close but don't touch G-Rod
December 13, 2007: JCAR's authority questioned
December 6, 2007: G-Rod knows his sports but not his governing
November 22, 2007: Blogs point out bias of Peoria Journal-Star
November 15, 2007: G-Rod would be recalled but won't be
November 8, 2007: Who's zooming whom?
November 1, 2007: The media's message on G-Rod is getting through
October 25, 2007: The "Fable of Illinois Government" by Dan Hynes
October 18, 2007: There's enough goofiness to go around ... and around ...
October 11, 2007: G-Rod vs Mike Madigan: we ain't seen nothin' yet
October 4, 2007: G-Rod knows the spin game
September 27, 2007: G-Rod just can't negotiate in good faith
September 20, 2007: Some State Rep races could get tough
September 13, 2007: G-Rod's sinks lower than "W"
August 30, 2007: Let them eat pork
August 23, 2007: A lack of truthiness in the state Senate
August 16, 2007: G-Rod's hypocrisy knows no bounds
August 9, 2007: G-Rod over the top
August 2, 2007: G-Rod out of the loop?
July 26, 2007: Income tax hike back on the table
July 19, 2007: G-Rod is not insane -- I think
July 12, 2007: The pension "crisis" is bogus
July 5, 2007: Figuring out the statehouse mess
June 28, 2007: The nutballs are coming out of the woodwork
June 21, 2007: It's not my fault
June 14, 2007: Male ego overload in the General Assembly
June 7, 2007: G-Rod gets the blame for the stalemate
May 31, 2007: New poll: the people don't like taxes
May 24, 2007: I never really wanted an intern, but...
May 17, 2007: The General Assembly is a slow-motion train wreck
May 10, 2007: Presecutors overreach and nobody cares
May 3, 2007: Obama's more popular in Illinois than Hillary is in New York
April 26, 2007: The real surprise was Sheila Simon's loss in Carbondale
April 12, 2007: There might really be something under G-Rod's hair
April 5, 2007: Voters thinks Governor's proposal breaks campaign promises
March 29, 2007: There are 2 tax increase proposals to watch
March 22, 2007: Barbara Flynn Currie joins the chorus opposing the GRT
March 15, 2007: G-Rod says property tax relief on the table
March 8, 2007: Brendan Reilly proves the machine can be beat
March 1, 2007: G-Rod and the GRT
February 22, 2007: Can't they all just get along?
February 15, 2007: The mother of all tax hikes?
February 8, 2007: The impending battle royale in the capital
February 1, 2007: Emil Jones and his war theories
January 25, 2007: Obamamania might be for real
January 18, 2007: Mike Madigan finally accepts Obama's popularity
January 11, 2007: BGA joins the crowd going after G-Rod
December 28, 2006: Dear Santa...
December 21, 2006: Frank Watson's European vacation
December 14, 2006: A kinder, gentler G-Rod
December 7, 2006: Good-bye to three of the good ones
November 23, 2006: Democrats roll but still can't get along
November 16, 2006: Emil Jones gets bragging rights
November 9, 2006: G-Rod's commercials a microcosm of the race
November 2, 2006: Levine's plea demonstrates the "old way of doing business"
October 26, 2006: Judy's poll numbers drop more than G -Rod's
October 19, 2006: G-Rod can't be that clueless
October 12, 2006: The politics of electric rates
October 5, 2006: Don't believe all the polls
September 28, 2006: G-Rod is hiding everything
September 21, 2006: The $1,500 gift that keeps on giving
September 14, 2006: Is G-Rod's 8-point lead enough?
September 7, 2006: Republicans running away from Blagojevich
August 31, 2006: Baar Topinka gambles on casino
August 24, 2006: Governor's race will get even nastier
August 17, 2006: Stu Levine has flipped
August 10, 2006: G-Rod's picking up where George Ryan left off
August 3, 2006: Will Alexi G. and Mike M. kiss and make up?
July 27, 2006: Good news in the polls for G-Rod
July 20, 2006: Is Patrick Fitzgerald going too far?
July 13, 2006: G-Rod missed a chance to slam JBT
July 6, 2006: Should G-Rod say if he's being investigated?
June 29, 2006: I'll cover the third parties if they get on the ballot
June 22, 2006: What does James Meeks think about things?
June 15, 2006: Corruption is relative
June 8, 2006: G-Rod's hiring practices under the microscope
June 1, 2006: Obama in '06?
May 18, 2006: A tribute to Lou Jones
May 11, 2006: Meeks poll has good and bad news for G-Rod
May 4, 2006: Corruption is their way of life
April 27, 2006: My take on the George Ryan conviction
April 20, 2006: GOP holding infrastructure projects hostage
April 13, 2006: An early look at the November polls
April 6, 2006: Paranoia rampant in the Statehouse
March 30, 2006: Black voters in Cook County are fired up
March 23, 2006: Giannoulias could be in for big trouble
March 16, 2006: got truth?
March 9, 2006: Hate crimes commission a disaster for G-Rod
March 2, 2006: Incompetent Eisendrath making G-Rod stronger
February 23, 2006: Gidwitz going negative on Judy Baar
February 16, 2006: Topinka still ahaed in latest Tribune poll
February 9, 2006: Wine seems to be trumping beer
February 2, 2006: Who won the GOP Gubernatorial debate?
January 26, 2006: Poll numbers don't look so good for G-Rod
January 19, 2006: Look who's lobbying fo r keno
January 12, 2006: GOP trying to scuttle G-Rod's building plans
December 29, 2005: There are reasons to dump Cegelis
December 22, 2005: Team G-Rod infiltrating my blog
December 15, 2005: Gidwitz and Rauschenberger pairing makes some sense to me
December 8, 2005: JBT has both sides playing against her middle
December 1, 2005: A media fable: be careful what you say to the press
November 24, 2005: Why would G-Rod want George Ryan to walk?
November 17, 2005: Judy Baar only Replublican with a chance to beat G-Rod
November 10, 2005: Ozzie makes my day
November 3, 2005: Feds not making it easy being Governor
October 27, 2005: I'm a Sox fan 'cause I like winners
October 20, 2005: Is G-Rod in trouble? part II
October 13, 2005: Health care for kids a winning issue for G-Rod
October 6, 2005: Jim Edgar: a career capped by indecision
September 29, 2005: A new way of doing business
September 22, 2005: Is G-Rod in trouble?
September 15, 2005: Will Jim Edgar save the Illinois GOP?
August 25, 2005: Illinois GOP Family Feud
August 18, 2005: Pat Quinn deserves credit and respect
August 11, 2005: Follow the money
August 4, 2005: Thirty-year-old law could mean trouble
July 28, 2005: Is da Mare a target?
July 21, 2005: Political arrogance knows no bounds
July 14, 2005: Republicans who want to be Governor, part II
July 7, 2005: Republicans who want to be Governor, part I
June 30, 2005: One guess who's got the clout
June 23, 2005: More bad news for G-Rod
June 16, 2005: Rep. Fritchey thought things were going well...
June 9, 2005: Media haiuls G-Rod as a winner
June 2, 2005: G-Rod flip-flops by the polls
May 26, 2005: G-Rod is still an overhandled goofball
May 19, 2005: Doctors vs. Lawyers vs. Mike Madigan
May 12, 2005: Karl Rove more interested in Lisa Madigan than Illinois GOP
May 5, 2005: CMS audit only tip of the iceberg
April 28, 2005: CTA deficit a potential serious problem for G-Rod
April 21, 2005: G-Rod should keep his family feuds private
April 14, 2005: Emil Jones not seeing eye-to-eye with labor leaders
April 7, 2005: G-Rod taking a chance on more slots
March 31, 2005: NRA getting gutsy with bills
March 24, 2005: Topinka could be the strongest challenger to G-Rod
March 17, 2005: They can't keep Dan Hynes down
March 10, 2005: An abortion compromise that may be short-lived
March 3, 2005: Emil Jones is not a happy camper
February 24, 2005: Illinois politicians swimming in a small pond
February 17, 2005: Daley changing politics as usual in Illinois
February 10, 2005: Despite rumors, churches remain exempt from anti-discrimination laws
February 3, 2005: G-Rod devastating DNR
January 27, 2005: They know where the bones are buried
January 20, 2005: G-Rod brings out the worst in people
January 13, 2005: Bush trying to force G-Rod's hand
December 30, 2004: 2004 takes the cake
December 23, 2004: G-Rod, a marketing genius but a failing governor
December 16, 2004: Mike Madigan: friend or foe of teachers?
December 9, 2004: Lining up for 2006
December 2, 2004: Dreaming of a hot January
November 25, 2004: G-Rod betting on (or against) gaming
November 18, 2004: A tale of two incumbents... who lost
November 11, 2004: Illinois G.O.P. a little panicky
November 4, 2004: G.O.P. women turn on Ricca Slone
October 28, 2004: Obama/Keyes debate II
October 21, 2004: It's a Supreme Court race, not a Sunday school class
October 14, 2004: Pat Quinn: silent team player?
October 7, 2004: Supreme Court race is where the action is
September 30, 2004: Statehouse insecurity
September 23, 2004: Endorsements can make or break
September 16, 2004: Life on Planet Keyes
September 9, 2004: The clueless clown from Maryland
September 2, 2004: Judicial candidates their own worst enemy
August 26, 2004: They still think the GOP's not dead in Illinois
August 19, 2004: Keyes' job is to keep Obama home
August 12, 2004: Frank Watson's off his rocker
August 5, 2004: G-Rod's the big loser
July 29, 2004: The Illinois GOP is in disarray
July 22, 2004: I wanted Ditka to run
July 15, 2004: The real scandal isn't Jack Ryan, it's the IHFPB
July 8, 2004: Back room politics is back
July 1, 2004: It's not about the sex
June 24, 2004: It just gets curiouser and curiouser
June 17, 2004: Who's to blame for the legislative overtime?
June 10, 2004: G-Rod throws a wild pitch
June 3, 2004: G-Rod dropping like a Bush
May 27, 2004: Something really stinks at CMS
May 20, 2004: G-Rod vs. Da Mare
May 13, 2004: A crazy year in the statehouse
May 6, 2004: Racial slippage misapplied
April 29, 2004: The 233rd comes home
April 22, 2004: Where did the quiet year go?
April 15, 2004: Illinois' real-life Sopranos
April 8, 2004: Bailey vs. Daley
April 1, 2004: G-Rod's casino mess
March 25, 2004: Barack Obama wins big
March 18, 2004: Everybody hates the phone company
March 11, 2004: G-Rod has a problem in Vandalia
March 4, 2004: Blair Hull has a really big problem
February 26, 2004: Pissing off the do-gooders
February 19, 2004: Al Ronan knows everything
February 12, 2004: You have to hand it to the Governor
February 5, 2004: The Governor vs. the State Board of Education.
January 29, 2004: John Sullivan: guilty by association.
January 22, 2004: Dan Hynes squandering his political capital.

Rich Miller reports from Baghdad
Part I: Fadia's fears, nation's tears
Part II: Americans are disappearing Iraqis
Part III: Right way, wrong way