by John McCormick
Illinois visitors got their inaugural celebration under way Sunday evening with a reception hosted by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and numerous corporate sponsors.
The event was a reminder of the state's clout in the incoming administration, attracting soon-to-be White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel.
There were also two Madigans, Mike and Lisa. The powerful speaker of the Illinois House and his daughter, the Illinois attorney general, were among of the first to arrive.
Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn was also on hand and was popular, with many coming up to shake his hand. "Hello, governor," one said, suggesting his possible status if Gov. Rod Blagojevich is removed from office.
The gathering was held in a basement ballroom of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and was financed by such sponsors as AT&T, the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, Boeing, U.S. Cellular and the Mayer Brown law firm.
The hundreds of guests included numerous Chicago aldermen and even promoter Don King. Illinoisans reveled in what they expect will be boosted clout for their state because Barack Obama comes from Chicago.
"One needs to look back and see what happened for Texas when George W. Bush was elected," said Chicago businessman J.B. Pritzker. "It was very beneficial for the state and business community."
Comments
Was it a party or was it Mayor Daley and the Chicago gang dropping in to D.C. to remind the new administration of their roots and obligations? Was Senator Burris present at this festive gathering of our noble and trusted Il. leadership? Pritzker's comment sounds like it came out of the Blago. playbook. Illinois, the land of Obama.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | January 18, 2009 11:30 PM
Dis is a great day fer duh city of Chicaguh.
Posted by: The Ghost of Richard J. Daley | January 19, 2009 6:02 AM
I think that people forget Obama ran on change...the way these people are talking it will be business as usual. I for one want change not the same old thing, pay for play.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | January 19, 2009 6:57 AM
After the inauguration, they can all go back to Ill. and leave the man alone.
Posted by: gord | January 19, 2009 8:36 AM
Illinois politicians, in general, have an odor about them and I didn't hear any remarks, other than from the blabbering, Bush-McCain Republicans, concerning President-elect Obama's presence. Being an observer of the Illinois political scene for over 40 years, I can state, with a good deal of certainty, that President-elect Obama doesn't have that shadow, hanging over his head. He learned and practiced politics in Illinois, but than, so did President Lincoln and that did not stop him from doing good things, when he was in our White House. Give President-elect Obama a chance, he's a new politician, in the sense, that he has been practicing politics for what, 5-7 years. So, he couldn't have learned all of those wilily ways of the seasoned, opportunistic politician, who so greatly populate the political landscape these days !! I know, there will continue to be those losers, that must continually imply, distort, lie and, in general, take cheap shots about Illinois politicians, to some extent, they are warranted, but not in the case of President-elect Obama !! A great majority of Americans seem to agree with my observations! So, why don't we let President-elect Obama's skills and vision, speak for themselves. That would be the fair thing to do. That would be the American thing to do !!
Good luck, President-elect Obama !!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | January 19, 2009 9:10 AM
Don, Abraham Lincoln came from Illinois years and years before became the most corrupt state in the union. Obama is not clean. He has Rezko, Stroger, Daley, Blago, etc. and the Illinois Democratic Machine clearly in his blood.
Posted by: John D | January 19, 2009 12:42 PM
Bubba, it was both and Illinois is The Land of Lincoln, just in case you weren't aware. You must be a frustrated one of many Republican whiners that grandpa McCain was smeared all over the map on 11/04/08. So sad, eh. Maybe move out of the U.S....to a socialist country. Obama will provide direction and leadership unseen or unheard of in the last 8 years.
Posted by: Doug R. | January 19, 2009 1:46 PM
Don, Abraham Lincoln came from Illinois years and years before became the most corrupt state in the union. Obama is not clean. He has Rezko, Stroger, Daley, Blago, etc. and the Illinois Democratic Machine clearly in his blood.
Posted by: John D | January 19, 2009 12:42 PM
Hey, we're doing out best to take that title, you betcha. give us a few more years and we'll be far more coirrupt, in memory of our great hero, Senator Stevens. Our swell Governor has shown she has the insticts to scam as much as anyone off the people.
Posted by: Alaska Republican | January 19, 2009 1:57 PM
Corruption knows no Party!! President Nixon, Larry Craig, Tom Delay, Ted Stevens, David Vitter, Neut Getrich, Robert Livingston, Spiro Agnew, Ronald Reagan ( Arms for Hostages), Pete Deminici and of course, just a matter of proving it, President Bush and Vice-President Cheney and their gang, to be named later !! Yes, Illinois has its share, as does every other state in our union, including the southern states, per se, as does Alaska, with its secessionist movement !! So, for want of any adult activities, you Bush Babies, continue to throw you dirt at the politicians of Illinois, but just remember, our new President is from Illinos. As far as I am concerned, that is the best news I have heard in 8 years !! How about you!!?
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | January 19, 2009 2:31 PM
Don, Abraham Lincoln came from Illinois years and years before became the most corrupt state in the union. Obama is not clean. He has Rezko, Stroger, Daley, Blago, etc. and the Illinois Democratic Machine clearly in his blood.
Posted by: John D | January 19, 2009 12:42 PM
Only 2 things come from Texas boy....and I don't see any horns on you.
Posted by: bill r. | January 19, 2009 11:57 PM
Don F is right. Obama was my state senator and I followed his career closely.
He was never part of the Machine.
To the contrary, he was opposed by the Machine.
That c---p name dropping of Blago etc. won't wash.
As he is showing this very day in Washington, Obama is a conciliator.
His avoidance of friction with Blago Stroger et al. in Illinois is of a piece with his magnanimity toward McCain today or those right wing scribblers Krauthammer Will Kristol et al.
And I think there is a possibility that he might not return to Illinois. Turning Federal Plaza into the OK Corral for a shootout between Blago and Fitzgerald probably sent him packing early, and if they keep up that sort of thing, he just might not come back.
That wouldn't be good for Chicago.
Posted by: ornery | January 20, 2009 1:09 AM