But Illinois can't be on the ball all the time. Taxes are high, residents are fleeing, and we've really flubbed our chance to put on pride and joy on display at the Capitol. Twice.
Saturday's post was about presidential statues, using some photos reader Tony Galati kindly sent. A reader asked if I knew what two Illinoisans are honored in the Capitol — each state gets two, thanks to a law signed by Lincoln.
I was tempted to go with Grant. But he wasn't the greatest president. I figured, go literary, and guessed Carl Sandburg, the pride of Galesburg, and, assuming a woman would have to be in the mix, Jane Addams, of Hull House fame.
Wrong and wrong.
The answer: deeply obscure 19th century politician James Shields, and Frances Willard.
Who are they?
Frances Willard I actually knew — well, not personally. I knew her name, because her home is still standing in Evanston, where she founded the Women's Christian Temperance Union. There is a Willard Hall at Northwestern, and the NU Apartments used to have "We're behind the WCTU!" on their t-shirts, as the teetotalers' headquarters was next door.
She was also active in pushing for the vote for women, and other laudable social issues.
So they're not exactly anonymous mopes. But not the sort of historical figures the knowledge of whom cause you to swell with pride either. I'd say time to swap them out for someone more worthy — I nominate Ida B. Wells and Studs Terkel — but honestly, given our historic moment of peril, I would save mere symbolism for another day.
Wasn't me, Mister S. Haven't lived in Illinois for 34 years. You're a native of Ohio, my adopted state. What two Buckeyes are honored in the Capitol? Both are considerably more famous than the two from Illinois. Take a shot, and enlighten us.
ReplyDeleteSorry Grizz. I noticed that and meant to circle around and correct, but got distracted. Fixed now.
DeleteCool. Ohio's two honorees? James A Garfield and Thomas A. Edison.
DeleteIda b Wells , I'd agree with.
ReplyDeleteManque. You made me look it up. Good word to know, even though it would never get past the slot man.
ReplyDeleteI also had to look it up - the meaning and the pronunciation.
DeleteI came across the word "manque' years ago and looked it up. Never forgot the meaning but never used it or saw it again until your piece. Thanks!
DeleteAlthough maybe not relevant, your post did bring to mind something I think about on occasion. Not one of the three presidents most associated with Illinois were born here, while the only one who was, and even went to college here, is connected to a far-away state.
ReplyDeleteOh, let's have some fun. We can swap them out for Jack Benny and Melissa McCarthy.
ReplyDeleteShields is sure a bizarre person for Illinois to put in Statuary Hall!
ReplyDeleteHe was also a senator for two other states & is buried in Missouri.
And Willard shouldn't be there, she helped create organized crime in this country with the idiocy of Prohibition, certainly the single stupidest law ever enacted anywhere! And I don't even drink any alcoholic beverage, because they all taste terrible to me, not because I have anything against anyone else doing so!
Three presidents most associated with Illinois?
ReplyDeleteYes Lincoln was born in Kentucky and Barack Obama was born in some Muslim country just kidding he was born in Hawaii
The fourth president you mentioned is Ronald Reagan I imagine he was born somewhere in Illinois before he headed out to California but for the life of me I can't think of who the other one you're referring to is maybe Grant has mentioned by our gracious host
No googling this just came out of my old adult brain.
It honestly feels like Chicago is the island in an absolute sea of red most states that are blue or purple have large metropolitan areas where the Democrats live but from voter data collected from the last election a lot more people in Chicago voted Republican than ever before and surprisingly a lot of them were people of color.
I can't imagine any of them doing that again after the way they got shafted but who knows people vote against their best interests all the time
Tea totaler?? How many cups ya had today?
ReplyDeleteFixed, thanks. None yet, I'm a coffee in the morning, tea at night kind of guy.
DeleteI saw this voice-to-text term and decided it fit me to a tee! I now consider myself a total tea-totaler, and will say it proudly!
DeleteNot voice-to-text. I just misspelled it.
DeleteKevin O’Connor
ReplyDeleteI second Ida B. Wells & Studs Terkel !
"A placid lake of humane, rights-affirming blue in a sea of frothing red." Well, Cook County at least. Illinois south of I-80 might as well be Mississippi too.
ReplyDeleteNot entirely. They might shrug off their rights. But they still got 'em.
DeleteAnd what of Wisconsin to our north, Neil?
ReplyDeleteWisconsin has a wonderful governor in Tony Evers. A good solid Democrat, but he's not running again. Tom Tiffany, a MAGA congressman from the 7th district is running and is very popular, so look out. Wisconsin's senators are the wonderfully liberal Tammy Baldwin and the turd Ron Johnson. The state runs both ways. It's frustrating to watch.
Delete👍👍👍
DeleteAgree with Ida and Studs
ReplyDeleteWhy doesn't Adlai Stevenson, with roots in central Illinois, make anyone’s cut? Certainly a geographical balancing choice with someone from Chicago. I guess folks don’t like losers.
ReplyDeleteAdlai an excellent choice. Authentically repped the values we aspire to. Or should.
ReplyDeleteI'll nominate Jane Addams for the other slot. Her lifelong devotion to immigrants and the poor will be relevant from now to eternity.
Excellent choices!
DeleteHow about the Capitol building in Springfield? Stephen Douglas portrait still hangs under black cloth in the house. The legislature can't decide whether to show it or replace it. Outside the chamber the statue of Richard J Daly proudly offers it's hand. Dr. King however sits outside across the street, not allowed inside under the dome
ReplyDeleteI was hoping for Paul Douglas and Adlai Stevenson, but would fully endorse Ida B. Wells and Studs Turkel. Chicago has much to be proud of.
ReplyDelete