The duties of publisher have been assumed by Chris Vlahoplus, vice president for University Relations at Sangamon State University, a member of our board who participated in the founding of Illinois Issues. The development of the magazine continues under our new publisher. With this September magazine, we have added photographs and a splash of color to liven the pages and have switched to a better quality cover paper for the very best in reproduction. The first of two new columns appears this month. "Politics" by Robert Kieckhefer, Illinois editor of United Press International, and formerly UPI Springfield bureau chief, will cover the maneuvers of the parties in the state and will alternate with a second new column, "The Media." Newspaper, radio and television coverage of state issues and leaders will be analyzed in "The Media" by Tom Littlewood, who has returned to the state as director of the journalism department of the University of Illinois College of Communications. Littlewood initiated our "Washington" column, and his last one appears in this issue. Starting in October, the new columnist for "Washington" will be Jerry Watson of the Chicago Sun-Times Washington bureau. Illinois Issues may have a new look and some new features, but the tenets of objectivity and accuracy established by Bill Day, now our Editor Emeritus, will continue to be the hallmark of the magazine.
— The Staff

The state of the State
Big Jim rides the elephant

DESCRIBING the results of a legislative session is a matter of perspective. As in the allegory of the blind men and the elephant, where you stand determines how you feel toward the beast.

The recent session of the General Assembly gives ample material with which to expand the allegory. Indeed, the legislature is rather like an old elephant, both in size and digestive capacity. It is called a political animal, and many say it is slow afoot, but few would challenge its privileges and control at the feeding grounds of state spending. And those who are wise avoid standing in its path. When riled, it can be ferocious.

What was the surprise of the political observers this year — let's call them the blind men — to find that the governor had mounted the thick-skinned giant? And who would have guessed that a jungle newcomer could ride it with such style in the very direction of limited state spending where he most wished to go? Some of the natives of the political jungle became restless, thinking he had struck some secret bargain with the powerful tribal chieftains and medicine men of Chicago. "Notice that he does not so much ride the beast, as the beast carries him aloft," said one. "Surely he shall fall off and be trampled underfoot," said another.

But the governor was pleased to note how swiftly the behemoth responded to the bit and how little he partook of the pork barrel. Yet it angered him that the elephant, seemingly obedient on all else, would not be led to work on his "get tough" crime package.

"There are many paths for the elephant to travel other than yours, Big Jim," some of the chieftains told the governor. "Give him a second chance to find the path," others said. "He has much to digest."

"Has he not eight stomachs?" asked Big Jim, angered, using his whip.

"Yes, but he must ruminate long before he passes anything," said the chieftains.

Big Jim nodded his head sagely. "So be it. He shall have a second chance to find the path. Surely he will see that it is not for myself that I would have him trample the criminal horde, but for the jungle people. Am I not safe atop the elephant?"

And so the governor called a special session to commence October 24 for legislative reconsideration of his criminal justice proposal and restructuring the State Board of Elections.

One of the blind men frowned and shook his head. "The beast seems to me more a large, hairy ass than an elephant. Careful lest it buck."

Then there's the one about the lady and the tiger. (She went into the jungle riding the tiger and came back in his stomach.)