Driving through Illinois around Chicago — as we had many opportunities to do while younger son James attended Lawrence University in Wisconsin — one can be delighted and amused by the signs marking parts of Interstate 55 as the Paul Simon Freeway. Simon’s rise up through editorial ranks of small newspapers, to state legislator and U.S. Senator was fueled by his great common sense and very studious habits when it came to history and public policy.
You can’t put all that on a road sign. But you can put a picture of his bowtie there. Honestly, we laughed out loud when we saw one for the first time.
I never could find one of the signs where it might be safe to pull off get a good photograph. Surely someone in Illinois would have one, right?
Just try to find a good picture of these great signs. I finally found this one on Flickr:
Paul Simon Freeway Bowtie Sign on I-55 near Edwardsville, IL_DSCN9495c – Flickr photo by Wampa-One
Paul Simon, the Illinois politician, was a great guy. Search for photos of the Tom Landry Highway signs in Texas, you’ll get a boatload of close-up shots. Come on, Illinois: Somebody go get a photo of those “Paul Simon Freeway” signs worthy of the man, and post it on the ‘net!
U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, D-Illinois. Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress
Millard Fillmore's Bathtub 
[…] Signs of life: The bowtie on the Paul Simon HIghway (Millard Fillmore’s Bathtub) […]
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He really was a terrific Senator. I lived in Illinois for a few years while he was in office. I’m back now and though Mark Kirk is far from the worst Republican, I’d love to see another Paul Simon-type liberal representing us.
Thanks for this, Ed. If I see the sign, I’ll snap a pic if it’s safe!
Jim
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there’s this one, but it was first hit for me
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