Journal Star Political Reporter Chris Kaergard poses for a photo before having his beard trimmed at Menzoil Men's Grooming Station & Barbershop in East Peoria, Ill., Saturday, July 9, 2016. Satisfied by the stopgap budget reached through compromise and bipartisanship in the capital, Kaergard decided to draw an end to the budget beard after 13 months and nearly 10 inches of facial hair. Guests were invited to help trim the beard down for a donation supporting organizations affected by the lack of a budget. (Andy Abeyta/Journal Star via AP)
The Associated Press
PEORIA, Ill. (AP) - It's gone. A political reporter in Illinois has finally had his beard shaved after more than 13 months of growing the bushy facial hair to bring attention to the state's budget impasse.
Chris Kaergard of the Journal Star newspaper in Peoria promised not to shave until Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Democrat-dominated Legislature reached a deal.
After an entire fiscal year without a budget, Rauner signed into law last week a stopgap spending plan to keep state government operating for six months.
It was enough of a compromise for Kaergard to go under a barber's blade Saturday.
Friends, colleagues and residents helped clip chunks of his beard with a pair of scissors in spectacle livestreamed on Facebook to raise money for social service organizations hurt by the budget impasse.
A participant of the budget beard trim for charity takes their turn at the chin of Journal Star Political Reporter Chris Kaergard at Menzoil Men's Grooming Station & Barbershop in East Peoria, Ill., on Saturday, July 9, 2016. Satisfied by the stopgap budget reached through compromise and bipartisanship in the capital, Kaergard decided to draw an end to the budget beard after 13 months and nearly 10 inches of facial hair. Guests were invited to help trim the beard down for a donation supporting organizations affected by the lack of a budget. (Andy Abeyta/Journal Star via AP)
The Associated Press
Journal Star Political Reporter Chris Kaergard has his beard by Erin Clark, a social worker with Lutheran Social Services of Illinois at Menzoil Men's Grooming Station & Barbershop in East Peoria, Ill., on Saturday, July 9, 2016. Satisfied by the stopgap budget reached through compromise and bipartisanship in the capital, Kaergard decided to draw an end to the budget beard after 13 months and nearly 10 inches of facial hair. Guests were invited to help trim the beard down for a donation supporting organizations affected by the lack of a budget. (Andy Abeyta/Journal Star via AP)
The Associated Press
Journal Star Political Reporter Chris Kaergard poses for a photo after his straight razor shave at Menzoil Men's Grooming Station & Barbershop in East Peoria, Ill., on Saturday, July 9, 2016. Satisfied by the stopgap budget reached through compromise and bipartisanship in the capital, Kaergard decided to draw an end to the budget beard after 13 months and nearly 10 inches of facial hair. Guests were invited to help trim the beard down for a donation supporting organizations affected by the lack of a budget. (Andy Abeyta/Journal Star via AP)
The Associated Press