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* Rochelle News-Leader…
Gov. JB Pritzker visited the ‘Hub City’ on Thursday afternoon.
Pritzker was in town visiting Kennay Farms Distilling with a film crew in tow. He recognized the distillery for its work early in the COVID-19 pandemic when it adapted to making hand sanitizer rather than spirits. A member of Pritzker’s video team reached out to Kennay Farms Owner Rick Kennay and asked in the days before to set up a tour and interview, Aubrey Quinn, in charge of marketing at the distillery, said.
“It was a pretty cool experience,” Quinn said. “We were pleased they picked us out. We felt pretty special. It was cool to meet them. They were shooting video for four hours. They wanted to see products bottled. We bottled a single barrel whiskey. They filmed shots around the tasting room and we walked across the street to eat lunch. It was casual. We talked about the transition that we made last year.”
Quinn said that when the Kennays made the choice to switch to hand sanitizer last year, they didn’t think they would still see the impact and recognition over a year later. The family enjoyed bringing in the people that did the work to be recognized on Thursday. […]
Rochelle Mayor John Bearrows spent about five hours with Pritzker during his visit. He was sworn to secrecy upon learning the Governor would be coming to town three days earlier. They ate lunch together at Acres Bistro.
* Coal Country Times…
Governor J.B. Pritzker was in Staunton on Wednesday June 30, to shoot a commercial and talk to local business owners and residents. Pritzker and his crew shot the commercial at the Blackbird Bakery and Cafe, which is described as an ‘artisan cafe and bakery’ established by Harry and Emily Paul, and located on East Main Street.
Ashli Pernicka, who is currently both a baker and helping to run the front of house, answered some questions over her break regarding the Governors visit. When asked if the staff at Blackbird Bakery knew about the Governor’s visit beforehand she replied, “just a few days in advance we got some phone calls about it, asking if we were willing to have him come down and film a commercial here, about small businesses and his response to the pandemic, and just Emily and Harry’s story over the past year, so we did know about it.” Pernicka added, “we had some people we had told about it, close family and friends… but nobody really knew about it.”
Harry Paul, who co-owns the bakery with his wife, Emily and is a baker, took some time to answer questions about the visit as well. When asked how he felt the visit went, Paul replied, “it went well, it was fun, he was a nice guy and he was here for a couple hours.”
Gov. Pritzker sat down with the Paul’s to ask some questions about their life, family, and business. Paul says, “He just asked us about our business and how we did with the pandemic, and how we’re doing now. He was very complimentary and was looking around, checking out our place, and Staunton. I know he walked down the street a little bit too.”
…Adding… Hilarious…
bUt pRitZkeR hAsN'T aNnOUnced hE WiLl rUn fOr rE-eLeCTiOn https://t.co/Dv1DFeEUHE
— Heather Cherone (@HeatherCherone) July 7, 2021
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 2:58 pm
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I like JB and will be voting for him again. He did a phenomenal job navigating the COVID crisis. I’m a Chicago resident and often felt protected by him, especially in moments where Lori didn’t act or she felt compelled to do the Illinois Restaurant Association’s bidding.
Comment by Disappointed Voter Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 3:06 pm
$300,000 a day… every single day… 430+ days.
… and he’s above water.
Just a thought to a campaign… let alone these ads
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 3:06 pm
It’s nice having a Democratic governor that doesn’t consider a “downstate tour” flying to the QC, then Peoria, then Champaign, and is back to Chicago in a trip that lasts about 6 hours.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 3:07 pm
I thought that Boston, MA was the “Hub City.”
How does Rochelle, IL rate such a nickname?
Comment by Practical Politics Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 3:10 pm
Is he also getting video for his ads to promote Darren Bailey’s candidacy for the GOP so the Dems can then further annihilate Repubs?🤦🏻♂️
Comment by Rolling Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 3:10 pm
He filmed in Springfield over the weekend too.
Comment by FIREDup!! Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 3:10 pm
Just ask Wikipedia: Rochelle is known as the “Hub City” because of its location at the intersection of several major transportation routes. The first transcontinental highway in the United States, the Lincoln Highway, passed through Rochelle, as did US-51, one of the first highways to go the full north–south length of the United States. Both these roads have diminished in importance (and are now state highways 38 and 251, respectively), but Rochelle continues to be crossed by major highways, especially Interstates 88 and 39. Besides roadways, Rochelle is also crossed by two major rail lines; the Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway mainlines cross inside of the city limits.[12] The effect, as seen on a map, was one of the spokes of an old wagon wheel meeting at the “hub”, and thus the nickname was born. Today, literally dozens of businesses carry the moniker “Hub City”, including furniture stores, shopping centers, realty firms, dry cleaners, and many others. Even the local high school’s teams are known as the “Hubs”.[13][14]
Comment by very old soil Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 3:20 pm
Just had a flashback to Rauner’s re-election ad of him on his motorcycle waving at moving boxcars.
Hope Pritzker’s turn out better.
Comment by Proud Papa Bear Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 3:28 pm
Andy Manar at work.
Comment by Predecessorage Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 4:26 pm
Someone should have told Jay Bob That BK Bakery in Mt Olive makes a much better donut.
Comment by Spuds Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 5:21 pm
Respectfully Disappointed Voter,
Based on Q1 2021 sales tax figures the only hospitality industry closely following the Governor’s Covid restrictions was the Chicago hospitality industry.
But by all means let us know how the Orland Park’s of the world that were in outright (and un-punished) defiance of the State restrictions was due to the bidding of hospitality industry lobbyists.
Governor made the right political COVID play over winter: Talked tough, didn’t enforce, wound them down when bigger cities like Springfield were about to become openly defiant. But anyone who thinks State was enforcing their own Covid indoor ban edicts over the winter is delusional.
Comment by ChicagoBars Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 8:34 pm
54% favorable according to Dan Brady poll. $3.5 billion in the bank. Over $300k/day in campaign spending.
Any moderate Republican hoping to emerge better get going soon. 16 months goes fast. Unless the goal is to delay as long as possible to limit too much primary right wing craziness.
Comment by Frank talks Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 9:06 pm
Hmmm….I’m thinking maybe that ABC7 story was sheer idiotic click-bait to create a phony narrative about him maybe not running. What’s amazing is that when it came out I heard from friends around the country who called to wonder why he’s not running. Sigh. These developments seem to suggest perhaps he’s running…Maybe?
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jul 7, 21 @ 9:46 pm
Come on down to Chester. They can film the 800 Coal Truck that come through town every day and destroy the roads
Comment by Strobby Thursday, Jul 8, 21 @ 8:50 am