Last Stop Rockford

The Rockford paper is whining again—upset that the two major party candidates for Governor have ignored the Rockford Register Star’s request to host a debate.

Thumping its small chest like a teenage girl on My Space, the paper cannot understand why anyone would dis Rockford. "What are they thinking?" the paper whimpers. But you only get to demand debates, when you have something to offer.

Unfortunately, over the decades the leadership in Rockford, including the paper, have let its citizens down.

Quick…how many people live in Rockford:

a) 783,343
b) 567,384
c) 150,000
(short music interlude)

Time's up! If you answered C, you are correct.

These figures put Rockford in the same category as Naperville, with 160,000 denizens, or Aurora, with 150,000 Aurorians.

Rockford’s plan for growth over the last 20 years has been to complain, whine and badger Illinois that they are the mighty City of Rockford. Please--for the benefit of all of our tired ears--cut the stoic, insular Swedish snobbery, extend the Metra line from Harvard to Rockford, and become a suburb of Chicago.

You might find that people visit Rockford—even candidates for Governor.

CP: Illinois Shadow

George Ryan: Just Say No

Maybe this should have been our first clue:

August 15, 1989

St. Louis Post Dispatch


SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Two candidates - one a familiar face and one a newcomer to statewide politics - joined the 1990 Illinois primary fray Monday.

Lt. Gov. George Ryan, a Republican, announced at a Capitol rally that he would seek the GOP nomination for secretary of state, pledging that his first priority would be the prevention of drug abuse.

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Drug abuse?

CP: Illinois Shadow