It was two years ago that I delivered this essay at my father's funeral. 

You do not want to miss this opportunity to continue celebrating those we have lost so as to cherish those still in our orbit.

As usual, there are some unexpected turns in this voyage to the end of suffering for one.

Governor JB Pritzker visited Charleston today. Here's a clip from his visit involving a business owner who was hard hit during the pandemic.

Rural Requiem explores the impact of Democratic voids on the ballot in Central and Southern Illinois on Gov. JB's re-election. 

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://gaither4il.com/2022/08/19/will-lack-of-democratic-candidates-harm-pritzker/

Photo: Chicago Magazine

Do we need a secret decoder ring in order to enter the ballot box when ranked voting has become law?

An exploration of motivations of individuals, communities, and political parties as it relates to our elections and the economy.

Our elections have increasingly been scrutinized. Republicans look for bamboo. Democrats look at voids on their ballots. Seems like a bunch of flailing around as various election reforms are actively pushed onto the electorate. Both political parties seek to gain an advantage through the states and elections that they control. Most people have heard of the term gerrymandering. I'm not discussing it or term limits as a policy, exception with regard to exhaustion.

How exactly did we arrive at this moment of widening income disparity? The exploration begins here.

Do we need a secret decoder ring in order to enter the ballot box when ranked voting has become law? 

An exploration of motivations of individuals, communities, and political parties as it relates to our elections and the economy. 

Our elections have increasingly been scrutinized. Republicans look for bamboo. Democrats look at voids on their ballots. Seems like a bunch of flailing around as various election reforms are actively pushed onto the electorate. Both political parties seek to gain an advantage through the states and elections that they control. Most people have heard of the term gerrymandering. I'm not discussing it or term limits as a policy, exception with regard to exhaustion. 

How exactly did we arrive at this moment of widening income disparity? The exploration begins here.

Coles County Board remarks in early August. 

Earlier in the meeting, it became public information that County Board member Gail Mason had not only petitioned to be on the Democratic primary ballot for re-election, she had also decided to vote in the Republican primary. Doing so is an illegal act in Illinois. 

It was this mind-blowing revelation that was a springboard for much of my commentary. I'll be laying out the case regarding Gail Mason when it is complete.

More to Consider.

It's easy to attack trigger warnings. It's far more difficult to explore their origin story.

Illustration by Nicholas Konrad/The New Yorker

Excerpt: 'Politicians are known by their fruit. “Politicians are known by their votes and the policies that they promote, ” Miller went on to say. We know how she started her career on Capitol Hill. We know what she has voted to bring home to our district: Nothing at all. She’s the farmer that brings nothing to the farmer’s market but takes the biggest subsidy check home to cash anyways. She’s got to pay the nanny to homeschool her kids that yours are all going to hell.'

I dive deep into the political divide, exploring the deep emotions that naturally erupt when lives and livelihoods are on the line. You will not want to miss this episode.

I don't shy away from tough issues and difficult conversations. This is one of those issues that you always bring up . . . or hate to hear someone talking about in the next room you're about to walk into before tasting some of what just was hauled out of the smoker out back. 

Regardless of your position, or your assumptions on what my positions might be, I urge you to listen, and get engaged on this issue with an open mind again. Our constitutional rights are definitely at the heart of the struggle over the next half century. 

You won't want to miss how much the Coles County Board missed in the contract they signed for $3.1 million dollars to replace the Coles County Courthouse windows. You won't believe the amount we are set to save per month. It's offensive.

And, that's just the beginning of this continuation of our series on these Windows to Nowhere. 

Last time, we began a history lesson in the 90s regarding County Board member Darrell Cox, who then brought a case all the way to the Appellate Court against the county. You won't believe the details and how it relates to today's $3.1 million Windows controversy.

James DiNaso of the Concerned Taxpayers of Coles County is back for more of his sit down conversation with the Rural Requiem.