Life
A little more than a year ago, when I wondered where my writing--and my life--would take me, I couldn't have guessed what the following twelve months would have in store. Today, I return to Chicago Carless from a self-imposed month-long hiatus awed by the changes 365 days can bring.
Politics
Does 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly favor cars over transit in downtown Chicago? You might think so judging from his recent support to add parking--and as a result, increase traffic congestion--on Streeterville streets.
Marina City
The fun never ends inside Chicago's upended corncobs, especially if you consider bald-faced lies by your condominium association entertaining. Last week, I brought you the tale of bone-headed new rules proposed by Marina City's controversial condo board. This week, the board is trying to squeeze mon
Getting Around
You could fill 25 Soldier Fields with the number of people who use Chicago Transit Authority buses and trains on an average weekday. It would take 1.5 million people--half of Chicago's population--to do it. That still wouldn't take into account almost 300,000 additional daily riders of Metra and Pac
Marina City
There are two ways to brand and position a world-famous residential tower: the right way; and the way downtown Chicago's Marina City condo board is planning to go about it. Four words for Marina Citizens: don't ask; don't tell. Really?
Politics
I swear I almost did a spit-take with my coffee when I read it: an editorial in Sunday's Chicago Tribune suggesting that the Illinois constitution be rewritten to allow for the recall of Governor Rod Blagojevich. The paper didn't mince words: 'Having endured the Blagojevich era, we believe voters ne
Chicago
Who says you can't teach an old Macy's, Inc. CEO new tricks? Last week, Crain's Chicago Business and the Chicago Tribune both announced the rollout of a new Macy's marketing campaign entitled, 'Take Me to State Street.' According to the papers, the campaign will be full-court media push highlighting
Life
Much as I love being a carpetbagging Chicagoan, even after almost five years I confess I still don't fully understand the mercurial nature of Windy Citizens. Yet, after spending a month back in my native New York over the summer, I'm very aware that floating around in the core of me now is definitel
Media
Yesterday, I was thrilled to learn that nothing bad happened, had happened, or was about to happen in the City of Chicago. I was told so by the Chicago Sun-Times. Well, unless you were 44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney.
Politics
So the CTA announced Doomsday once again, and not just one Doomsday, but two of them. What luck for Chicagoland transit riders who might miss the elimination of three dozen CTA bus routes in November! Now they'll be able to enjoy the evaporation of the rest of the system on January 6. What do we hav
Marina City
On those nights when they burn the house down at the House of Blues, we shudder in Marina City condos above. Most of us are familiar with the midnight din of emergency vehicles looming loud and coming to a halt beneath our bedroom windows.
Media
Given me and my big mouth, it had to happen sometime. Today debuts Downtown Local, my (most likely allegedly) weekly podcast look at life, love, and folly from the heart of downtown Chicago. I'll use the podcast to expand on issues I cover in my regular blog posts, as well as to share new stories--a