Your $129 could buy state pols a lot of corn dogs
SPRINGFIELD - In ordering state lawmakers back to the Capitol this week, Gov. Rod Blagojevich did them a favor.
Many were already planning to be in Springfield for the Illinois State Fair political days. By calling them into session, Blagojevich ensured they'll get $129 daily for food and housing, courtesy of taxpayers. Taxpayers will also now pick up the commute to and from Springfield at 50.5 cents per mile.
With all this in mind, we hit the fair this weekend to explore lawmakers' buying power and offer some tips of how to spread that $129 around.
They should have plenty of time since Tuesday's session didn't begin until 3 p.m. and today's session doesn't start until 5 p.m. In case you wondered, the governor decides when they start these "special sessions."
There are 177 lawmakers. If they all show up - a rarity - these special sessions can cost taxpayers upward of $40,000 a day once all the support staff and ancillary costs are figured in.
What $129 buys you at the Illinois State Fair:
Corn dogs:
43 small ($3)
25 large ($5)
Lemon shake-ups:
43 small ($3)
25 large ($5)
Vinegar fries:
43 small ($3)
32 medium ($4)
21 large ($6)
Deep-fried Snickers:
36 ($3.50)
Soft-serve ice cream:
28 ($4.50)
*Editor's note: Recommend dipping deep-fried Snickers into soft-serve ice cream!
Cinnamon roll:
32 ($4)
28 if opting for the cream cheese frosting (an extra 50 cents)
Blue slushie:
64 small ($2)
51 large ($2.50)
17th Street half rack ribs, beans, slaw and sweet tea:
7 ($17 for the platter with a drink)
Pork chop-on-a-stick:
32 ($4)
Saltwater taffy:
12 boxes ($10 a box)
State Fair ski-lift ride:
25 round trips ($5)
Tractor trolley:
43 rides ($3 during the day)
129 rides ($1 after 5 p.m.)
Cotton candy:
32 ($4 for a small bag)
Funnel cake:
25 ($5)
Beer:
36 Heinekens ($3.50 at Ethnic Village beer stand)
Giant slide ride:
43 slides ($3 each)