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* Springfield has really dropped the ball on this particular topic…
My former @SJRbreaking colleague @bycrystalthomas wrote about the lack of progress in 2018. Four years later, there's been progress in the form of a plaque:https://t.co/QlIlbp5AiJ
— Brenden Moore (@brendenmoore13) November 29, 2022
Any suggestions for Obama-related tourism?
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 9:33 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Ah, I remember that day well. It was realllllllly cold out there.
Comment by New Day Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 9:48 am
I think the town is too red to do much to acknowledge Obama. Maybe after some years have passed more will be done.
Comment by Grimlock Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 9:48 am
While the Senate chambers are being renovated, maybe they can find some space for a mural of Obama and Rickey Hendon having some “civil disagreements.” /s
Comment by vern Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 10:07 am
===the town is too red to do much to acknowledge Obama===
The alternative facts that Obama didn’t announce in Springfield or refusing to acknowledge Obama and the history in town with him is why the GOP’s cult fascination is ruining them at the ballot box.
In context, the “Party of Lincoln” embraces those waving and putting up confederate battle banners on flag poles.
It’s bigger than the politics of “Red” or “Blue”
To the post itself,
I look at Grant, Reagan, I see and experience more with them in the isolated pockets “where they walked” and neither had the impact that Obama had in a place like Springfield, (neither served in our legislature as an example) or used Springfield as a backdrop in a new world 21st century way.
Obama served in the Senate, spoke in the House, announced at Old State Capitol… more needs to be done.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 10:08 am
They could show the area where he would go out and smoke at the Capitol. But since they are redoing the north side that area might end up being off limits.
Of course back in those days there were also a few offices that a blind eye was cast on them being used as smoke chambers.
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 10:09 am
Rename park across from Gov’s mansion to Obama Park or Square.
Comment by BTO2 Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 10:11 am
= Of course back in those days there were also a few offices that a blind eye was cast on them being used as smoke chambers. =
Didn’t he often join Sen. Rauschenberger in the back room behind room 212 during committee hearings?
Comment by cover Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 10:19 am
Springfield is still bitter about the fact that the Obama campaign never repaid the City over $100,000 in extra security costs. Add that to a series of very petty Mayors and this is what you get. Glad the State is stepping up and giving Obama the respect he deserves.
Also, the city of Springfield is actually Blue. Sangamon County is Red, but not the City.
Comment by FIREDup! Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 10:29 am
Rich,
Maybe you could open a Five Guys?
J
Comment by Jerry Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 10:31 am
==I think the town is too red==
Let’s see…Dems have the mayor, a majority on the city council, a state rep and state senator, and just elected elected a Dem congresswoman. Biden and Pritzker both won it by double digits.
But sure, it’s too red.
Comment by The Real Downstate Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 10:32 am
If Springfield Dist. 186 goes ahead with the consolidation of Southern View, Laketown, and Hazel Dell grade schools, perhaps the new school that is proposed for the old H.D. Smith building (in what used to be the old Fiat Allis property) could be named after Obama.
Comment by Stuck in Celliniland Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 10:33 am
There is actually an African American History museum in town. I’ve never been in it because it’s always closed when I try. But maybe that could be refurbished to emphasize Obama’s influence in Springfield?
Comment by Here for the laughs Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 10:39 am
“Rename park across from Gov’s mansion to Obama Park or Square.”
I like that idea in concept, but why not name it Presidential Park with the appropriate signs and or monuments explaining the Illinois roots of Lincoln, Grant, Reagan and Obama. Each president would have their sign or monument on a corner of the park.
Take the R and D of the discussion and draw attention to the rich presidential history of Illinois.
Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 10:43 am
having come to illinois from (central) florida, i was always struck by how little the state seemed to compete for tourism dollars. but i’m not sure that i have ever seen much attention brought to where a presidential candidate made their announcement speech.
it would be kinda interesting if they did an audio tour of the site…
Comment by bored now Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 10:44 am
The IMA could turn Denzler’s office into a casino so tourists can come play cards where Barry used to.
Comment by Franklin Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 10:52 am
===but why not name it Presidential Park with the appropriate signs and or monuments explaining the Illinois roots of Lincoln, Grant, Reagan and Obama. Each president would have their sign or monument on a corner of the park.===
Co-Sign.
This is a good start…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 10:59 am
There should be a plaque on the spot on the north side of the State House where he took smoke breaks.
Or how about a plaque in the Senate President’s Office where Emil decided how Obama should vote?
Comment by Just Me 2 Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 11:02 am
A Park is good
But need some BB Courts
And have a National Street Ball Tournament
Bring em in from NYC, Houston , LA , Kankakee, …
And , of course Chicago and DC
Name it ___________ ?
Comment by Red Ketcher Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 11:14 am
I wonder what happened to his old office furniture. Is there even a little plaque denoting his old office? It’s pretty sorry that this is just happening now. This is a big deal for a lot of people. Maybe a video set up in the capitol of people regaling in his days in the legislature?
Comment by levivotedforjudy Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 11:17 am
==“Rename park across from Gov’s mansion to Obama Park or Square.”
I like that idea in concept, but why not name it Presidential Park with the appropriate signs and or monuments explaining the Illinois roots of Lincoln, Grant, Reagan and Obama. Each president would have their sign or monument on a corner of the park.==
Agreed.
This park could also give honorable mentions to former vice presidents Stevenson the First and Dawes, as well as former FLOTUS Hillary Rodham Clinton of Park Ridge.
And keep the rest of the old Y block park as a green space. Mayor Langfelder, don’t even think about proposing that block for any further development, keep it a preidential park.
Comment by Stuck in Celliniland Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 11:40 am
==The IMA could turn Denzler’s office into a casino==
With live coverage every morning on Madonia’s show during opening week. He’s been a strong proponent of a Springfield casino over the years, including at the Fairgrounds.
Comment by Stuck in Celliniland Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 11:42 am
Not necessarily President Obama focused but certainly included prominently…
https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/2022/01/24/large-murals-installed-springfields-new-transportation-hub/6590387001/
Comment by ICG Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 11:43 am
There’s a rest stop in Moneygall, Ireland named after him. His ancestors were traced to that county apparently.
https://barackobamaplaza.ie/
Comment by HLV Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 11:46 am
They could also find a way to replace the likenesses of Bill and Julie Cellini on the ALPLM 1864 election mural with those similar to that of Barack and Michelle.
Comment by Stuck in Celliniland Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 11:54 am
===Didn’t he often join Sen. Rauschenberger in the back room====
I am not a smoker but I have noticed that smokers are more apt to cross party lines to hang with other partakers.
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 12:10 pm
===This park could also give honorable mentions…===
It’s in the name, if it were to happen…
“Presidential Park”
Why water it down, there’s only 4, honor them, don’t diminish them with “honorable mentions”, it defeats the purpose.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 12:13 pm
==Why water it down, there’s only 4, honor them, don’t diminish them with “honorable mentions”, it defeats the purpose.==
Then an alternative could be to move the honors and statues for VPs Adlai I and Dawes, and Hillary, to the old YMCA site. A few blocks south of the mansion and next to the Dana-Thomas House.
Comment by Stuck in Celliniland Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 12:17 pm
“Why water it down, there’s only 4, honor them, don’t diminish them with “honorable mentions”, it defeats the purpose.”
100% agree.
Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 12:18 pm
==maybe they can find some space for a mural of Obama and Rickey Hendon having some “civil disagreements==
Does audio or video exist out there of the infamous Obama-Hendon Senate exchange? June 2002.
Comment by Stuck in Celliniland Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 12:23 pm
I mean… when there’s another town in your state that has infinitely deeper and more established ties to one president, maybe you should just stick to your own president?
Obama is an Illinoisan through and through, but he’s a Chicagoan first and foremost. If you want to learn about Obama, you go to Chicago (especially when his library opens in a hundred and fifty years). Springfield is, and should remain focusing on, being the town of Lincoln.
That all being said, Springfield was the launching bed for real presidential ambitions for both Obama and Biden (as without his time as VP, Biden would’ve been a nothing figure on anyone’s presidential radar), so at least a plaque is a sensible thing to add.
Comment by TJ Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 12:44 pm
I stand corrected. Looks like there is a Five Guys in Springfield according to the internets.
Comment by Jerry Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 1:02 pm
To the individuals posting that the GOP is the reason for low recognition. If I remember correctly, the Old State Capitol is in Springfield where the Mayor is a democrat.
Comment by Primate Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 1:57 pm
With all the new construction around the capitol, they need to prioritize adding prominent statues recognizing our other 3 Presidents, Grant, Reagan, & Obama.
Comment by SpiDem Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 2:28 pm
It was really cold out there. Then they trotted out Blago. I booed.
Comment by Excessively Rabid Wednesday, Nov 30, 22 @ 4:19 pm