Finally, The #BudgetBeard Reporter Is Clipping His Beard For Charity Saturday

By Gwendolyn Purdom in News on Jul 8, 2016 10:06PM

Chris Kaergard hasn't shaved since May 31, 2015. That's when the Illinois spring legislative session wrapped up and Kaergard, a political reporter and columnist at the Peoria Journal Star, vowed not to lose his facial hair until Gov. Bruce Rauner passed a state budget.

Illinois still doesn't have a full budget in place but after legislators agreed on a stopgap deal last week, Kaergard is taking the opportunity to finally trim his now nine-plus-inch beard—for a good cause, of course. The headline-making #BudgetBeard will get the axe (okay, the shearers) at Menzoil barber shop in East Peoria Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. according to a Facebook event page. For each donation made, the donator will have the chance to take a few snips of Kaergard's beard. Profits will benefit local charities impacted by the budget crisis including Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, Neighborhood House, Common Place and the Center for Prevention of Abuse.

Ready to get rid of the #BudgetBeard? Come help us raise some money for charity as we do!https://t.co/SCxfUl4mL1 pic.twitter.com/79X047SVNd

— Chris Kaergard (@ChrisKaergard) July 7, 2016

Much as #NoShaveNovember is meant to draw attention to prostate health, Kaergard set out on his hairy quest to remind people the state *still didn't have a budget* inch-by-un-groomed-inch. More than a year later, the reporter is more than ready to shred his statement-making strands. Jury's still out on whether lawmakers are ready to display similar dedication in passing a full budget come November.

Check out Kaergard's full beard-growing journey (as well as the state's ongoing budget negotiations) in this nifty timeline produced by the Journal Star.