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* Press release…
Gov. Bruce Rauner and Governor-elect JB Pritzker will make a joint appearance at the state’s 200th Birthday Party on Dec. 3, the day in 1818 when Illinois became the nation’s 21st state.
Both men rallied around a unity theme in the aftermath of Tuesday’s election. “There is no better place to start uniting than at an event that celebrates the greatness of Illinois,” Rauner said.
“The milestone represented by our 2ooth birthday is especially important as we turn our focus to the future,” Rauner said. “The state possesses a legacy of invention, persistence and economic vitality. This is the time to reflect on those assets and come together to put them to work for the people of Illinois.”
“Just as Illinoisans of all backgrounds have united and pushed our state forward for 200 years, we will celebrate our bicentennial as one Illinois,” said Governor-elect JB Pritzker. “We are the land of Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama, home to the world’s leading companies and universities, an economic powerhouse of the Midwest and agriculture powerhouse of our country. Together, we will ring in our third century with hope and optimism and strive to build on the progress of the 200 years before us.”
The Bicentennial Commission also announced a change in venue for the official Bicentennial Birthday. The celebration is moving from the United Center to the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier.
The Birthday Party program will remain largely the same. People attending the affair will be treated to a star-studded presentation of things BORN, BUILT, and GROWN in Illinois.
The highlights include an original Gettysburg Address Rap – “All People are Created Equal” – by Miguel Cervantes (Hamilton, Chicago), performances by members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Buddy Guy; a special acoustic performance by Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon; and a Championship Parade featuring star athletes marching with Chicago team championship trophies.
According to Stuart Layne, executive director of the Governor’s Office of the Bicentennial, the venue change makes it possible to produce a more intimate event for sponsors, partners and attendees. The change was necessitated in part by weaker than expected tickets sales during the month preceding the election.
“The Bicentennial celebration has been staged without the benefit of any state funding,” Layne said. “This move means that we can stay on budget and still put on a memorable party for this landmark occasion.”
People who have purchased tickets for the United Center may use them for the party at Navy Pier or contact Ticketmaster for a refund prior to Dec. 2. Future ticket purchase opportunities will be announced as they become available.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 9:20 am
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How can politicians who call each other every name in the book……now “be nice” to each other???
Comment by oldhp Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 9:30 am
In the age of Trump I appreciate these sort of functions celebrating the smooth, peaceful transfer of power more than ever. It was easy to take them for granted.
Comment by ChicagoVinny Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 9:34 am
I wonder if Rauner will attend Pritzker’s inauguration, or instead follow the Pat Quinn precedent?
Comment by Downstate Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 9:37 am
“Kumbaya” episode ends with Rauner departing, whispering in Pritzker’s ear….”Watch out for Madigan”
Comment by Matts Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 9:38 am
–I wonder if Rauner will attend Pritzker’s inauguration, or instead follow the Pat Quinn precedent?–
Based on what I see here, I am hopeful and expecting that it will be the former and not the latter.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 9:38 am
Who thought they were going to fill the United Center for this?
The promotion of Bicentennial events has been rather underwhelming. I can’t say I’ve come across anything.
I hesitate to poke the bear, but shouldn’t the official state Bicentennial party be in the official state capital?
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 9:43 am
Thanks to Governor Rauner for his part in this effort. I’m glad he lost the election, and hope his remaining time in office is used constructively. This helps.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 9:46 am
Maybe Bruce will realize that he could have been civil to the opposition when he assumed power. He will always be a symbol of missed opportunity because of a remarkable combination of hubris and ignorance. He still doesn’t have a clue how to govern. That’s a real shame because he might have accomplished something if he just understood how Edgar and Ryan were able to work with Madigan. Oh well, Bruce will be gone and Madigan increased his margin. He’s leaving the state in worse shape then when he took over. That’s hard to believe. Ciao Bruce.
Comment by Trapped in the 'burbs Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 9:54 am
“The promotion of Bicentennial events has been rather underwhelming. I can’t say I’ve come across anything.”
If I attend any of the bicentennial events, it will undoubtedly be this one: https://www.facebook.com/events/936965616502354/
Even if the festivities are a dud, the bartenders will be cool.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 10:00 am
===I hesitate to poke the bear, but shouldn’t the official state Bicentennial party be in the official state capital?===
Yes, and I’ll poke the bear some more: the state’s bicentennial celebration has been the biggest non-event in Illinois in, well, the past 200 years. Way to screw that up too, Brucie.
Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 10:02 am
MIGA
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 10:14 am
It’s s time honored tradition in American politics for opponents to help mend the divide they sowed during the election. It’s one I fear we’re getting away from, and I praise Rauner (who I loathe) for doing the right thing in this regard.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 10:14 am
The cheapest ticket to the United Center for the event was $50. As much as I love Illinois and her history, there was no way I was going to pay $50 for a “rally.” Seems like many others felt the same way. Hopefully the pricing at Navy Pier will be a little more reasonable.
Comment by Lost In Chicago Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 10:22 am
=== Yes, and I’ll poke the bear some more: the state’s bicentennial celebration has been the biggest non-event in Illinois in, well, the past 200 years. ===
Let’s be honest. Most Illinoisans could care less about the bicentennial and no amount of marketing is going to drive people to these events.
Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 10:50 am
This is to help Rauner into his own transition to private life.
Let’s remember, the Rauners are about branding, and about being accepted.
After calling Pritzker a crook, expecting JB to “be indicted”… the Rauners are part of that wealthy clique that rallies around each other, and would rather quietly be envious or jealous while trying to “one up” another.
To be seen as gracious, this will help rehabilitate both Rauners.
Pritzker knows, looking bipartisan will help him with the phony Raunerites still left in Springfield, or those trying to prop up Ives and Proft for Uihlein.
Both are using each other in a great way for Illinois unity.
Fine by me.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 10:51 am
When the Guv has spent 4 years consistently denigrating the state, it’s hard to be enthusiastic about a celebration of the state planned by the Guv.
Although I am surprised that a lineup featuring “a special acoustic performance by Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon” couldn’t fill up the UC. And they couldn’t get the whole band to show up? Just Kevin? They are actually on tour right now.
Comment by Henry Francis Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 11:19 am
I wonder if they read up on Illinois history before deciding on Chicago for the bicentennial. Chicago was barely a trading post in 1818. They had just rebuilt Fort Dearborn in 1816 after native Americans had burned it to the ground in 1812. So Springfield would have been a better choice.
Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 11:22 am
$50 for a two-hour event…at Navy Pier…I think I’ll pass.
Comment by Anon221 Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 11:40 am
===So Springfield would have been a better choice. ===
They can’t sell tickets as it is now.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 12:00 pm
Buddy Guy is on this lineup, too? This is going to be great.
Maybe Rauner and Pritzker can hug it out like Madigan and Blagojevich did at the Democratic National Convention.
Comment by JakeCP Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 1:03 pm
–Most Illinoisans could care less about the bicentennial –
Nice stamps though
Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 1:16 pm
But Chicago has a lot of competing events. While such an event may have been a big deal in Springfield, especially if the ticket prices were lower. They didn’t really promote this event either. This is the first I heard of it and I look for events in Chicago quite often.
Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Nov 13, 18 @ 7:50 pm