Slim pickings in Illinois GOP convention goody bag

By Mark Brown

TAMPA–The GOP may be resurgent in Illinois, but you can’t tell it from the pitiful swag being handed out to members of the delegation to the National Republican Convention. I’m not even sure you can call it swag.

Inside a lightweight cloth computer bag (read chintzy) from Stern Beverage Inc., delegates will find:

One box of thank you cards from Earth Etiquette.

One small loofah sponge.

One red pop-up umbrella (should come in handy).

Miniature post-it notes from the Illinois Association of Realtors.

One coaster from the Illinois Education Association.

One small sunblock spray from Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital.

One pin: “Save Illinois, Fire Madigan”

One Hershey’s bar from House Republican Leader Tom Cross.

One RNC Survival Package containing one dose each of Tylenol and Alka Seltzer and a $5 Starbucks gift card from Sen. Kirk Dillard.