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* Rockford Register Star…
It took five years and three governors, but Chicago Rockford International Airport finally has the check it was promised from the state of Illinois.
Mike Dunn, executive director of the airport, confirmed last week that the $14.7 million check was in hand.
A big thank you to Gov. JB Pritzker for delivering. Pritzker has been bullish on Rockford. It’s not just the airport. He helped the city get its long-sought-after casino, money for rail, and more money for Rockford University, Rock Valley College, RAMP and the Boys & Girls Clubs. Rockford Mass Transit District did well in the state budget and there was $250,000 for the Rockford Art Museum.
Other governors have talked about how critical Rockford is to the state’s overall economy and did little or nothing to help. Pritzker has shown us that Rockford’s future is more than a campaign talking point. He has acted.
Not only has he come through with much-needed dollars, he’s visited the Forest City a number of times and has been to the airport at least three times. Rauner never visited the airport, according to Dunn.
Wow. That’s quite a smooch.
* Southern Illinoisan…
Thumbs up to the success of the 2019 Du Quoin State Fair. According to figures released by the fair, Grandstand ticket sales were up 26 percent from 2018. The State of Illinois reports that overall revenue was up 37 percent. About $350,000 was generated by Grandstand attractions this year, an increase of $90,000. In more good news, state officials reported attendance at this year’s fair was 124,000, up from 100,000 in 2018. And, in a related thumbs Up, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has pledged continued support of the fair. “My administration has invested in improving the Du Quoin fairgrounds, and I’m committed to making this historic fair successful for decades to come, so that this economic engine can continue to benefit not only Du Quoin, but all of Southern Illinois,” Pritzker said. After the fair and fairgrounds have been neglected for so many years, real support from Springfield would be a definite plus.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Sep 13, 19 @ 2:40 pm
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How can JB rationalize Rich’s earlier post today regarding a State-wide 6.5% across the board departmental cut for next year, and this story where the State is wasting $250,000 on an art museum?
Comment by Occam Friday, Sep 13, 19 @ 2:51 pm
===a State-wide 6.5% across the board departmental cut===
He didn’t say that. Try reading.
Also, the capital budget is different from the operating budget and even so the RRStar doesn’t appear to think that museum money is waste.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 13, 19 @ 3:01 pm
Your link to The Southern Illinoisan seems to go a different column.
Comment by link-check Friday, Sep 13, 19 @ 3:04 pm
Thanks, link-check. Fixed.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 13, 19 @ 3:05 pm
‘Wow. That’s quite a smooch”. If the dropping of multi-million$ in the lap of Rockford isn’t worth an awe$$ome $mooch, tell me what is.
Comment by Sayitaintso Friday, Sep 13, 19 @ 3:13 pm
Rauner did a big event at the airport. Had probably 300 people there. So - not true.
Comment by Mikey the Dem Friday, Sep 13, 19 @ 3:14 pm
= the State is wasting $250,000 on an art museum=
How is $250,000 to an art museum a “waste”? For one thing, it’s a drop in the bucket. For another, good museums draw visitors, which means more money for the city. They are an attraction for people looking for place to live. They are great for kids.
Comment by JoanP Friday, Sep 13, 19 @ 3:21 pm
Terrific news from Rockford and Du Quoin. So nice to see positive things about our state and not the trashing of it.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Sep 13, 19 @ 3:23 pm
100 percent of success is just showing up with a big check in hand.
Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Friday, Sep 13, 19 @ 3:25 pm
There should be a boycott of the Du Quoin State Fair every year.
Comment by Du Quoin Fan Friday, Sep 13, 19 @ 3:28 pm
===There should be a boycott of the Du Quoin State Fair every year. ===
Let’s not and say we did.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 13, 19 @ 3:29 pm
Investing in opportunity.
Rauner never seemed to understand investing in the future for growth. It was the vulture capital way. Go in decimate work force, leverage debt then sell off in pieces.
JB seems to have a different investment strategy. So far, politically, it may be making people happy.
Comment by Dupage Bard Friday, Sep 13, 19 @ 3:58 pm
You got to give JB credit.
He seems to actually car.e
Comment by Nick Friday, Sep 13, 19 @ 4:07 pm