By John Dempsey, WLS News
(PEORIA) As the State of Illinois budget standoff goes into it’s fourth month, Peoria Journal Star Newspaper reporter Chris Kaergard is also going into his fourth month without letting a razor touch his face. Kaergard told “The Big John Howell Show” on WLS, that he is refusing to shave until state lawmakers and Governor Bruce Rauner, agree on a budget. “We’re 14 weeks in today on this. I started May 31st when they were supposed to have the budget passed. Thankfully I’m not dating anybody right now but I gotta tell ya, all the women that I know look at this with a mixture of horror, and horror”.
Kaergard says his beard has been the topic of a lot of conversation around the statehouse in Springfield, but he does not think legislative leaders care much about his itchy face. “Well, I’ve had a couple of local legislators actually who have asked to take selfies or group pictures with it, so I know they’re paying attention and listening, but as for the leaders that really call the shots down there, I don’t know if they feel much sympathy for me”
Rauner and the majority Democrats are locked in a struggle over his demand that the state enact pro-business, anti-union reforms, before he will agree to an income tax increase to help the state pass it’s budget. Kaergard is also locked in a struggle of his own, as he tries to eat without excessive amounts of food getting caught in his whiskers. “Well, you know that scene in Miracle on 34th Street, where the little girl gives Santa’s beard a tug? It’s a little longer than that, and a lot more uncomfortable”.
Kaergard says despite how uncomfortable he feels, he will refrain from shaving until a budget is passed. He says his beard has become a testament to the egos running two of the branches of state government.
@ 2015 WLS News
