Reporter shaves massive beard calling attention to Illinois budget standoff

This Feb. 1, 2012 file photo shows the House Chambers of the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois. (Reuters)

A political reporter in Illinois has finally had his beard shaved after more than 13 months of growing the bushy facial hair to bring attention to the state's budget impasse.

Chris Kaergard of the Journal Star newspaper in Peoria promised not to shave until Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Democrat-dominated Legislature reached a deal.

After an entire fiscal year without a budget, Rauner signed into law last week a stopgap spending plan to keep state government operating for six months.

It was enough of a compromise for Kaergard to go under a barber's blade Saturday.

Friends, colleagues and residents helped clip chunks of his beard with a pair of scissors in spectacle livestreamed on Facebook to raise money for social service organizations hurt by the budget impasse.