Chicago Casino Crummy Idea

The state legislature passed the gambling expansion bill in Springfield. Depending on what Governor Quinn does with it, it could mean Chicago will see casinos within its borders before long. This legislation represents a failure of imagination on the part of our politicians. With all of our colleges and universities, there's no reason why Illinois shouldn't lead the nation with high tech, smart manufacturing, and green energy. The Trib has a story in its Sunday business section about how the Chicago area lacks, compared to other metropolises, in venture capital spending, and indeed in venture capitalists. When it comes to technology, Illinois has had a spotty, schizophrenic track record. Great companies that got their start here in Illinois, like Macromedia, soon found themselves needing to pack up and leave for the greener pastures of Silicon Valley. Motorola is now threatening to do the same. More needs to be done to promote technology entrepreneurship, bring it out of the elite circles of academia, and identify and cultivate promising ideas, businesses, and startups, here in the bungalow belt and collar communities.

Brand New Day

It's a brand new day in the city and the ward. Everyone knows by now the new political representation and leadership we now have in both Mayor Emanuel and Alderman Sposato. This blogger, for one, hopes to see more modern and progressive city governance from our newly elected officials and increased involvement of the citizenry.

Hello Brand-New Beautiful Dunning Library!

The new Dunning library officially opened today, with a full Ribbon Cutting ceremony with the complete suite of dignitaries, including Mayor Daley, Alderman Rice, Former Alderman Banks, 38th Ward Alderman Cullerton and emceed by Eli's Cheesecake president Marc Schulman, who generously contributed cheesecake and dessert for all attendees. Bravo. Kudo's thanks to the Mayor, Aldermen Rice and Banks (really, I mean it!) and all who contributed to its construction and grand opening.

Farewell Borders in Norridge

Sadly, the Borders book store in the Norridge Commons shopping center closed today. It was only there for five years or so. They say there are no bookstores in Chicago west of Western. We've got to find a way to change that somehow.

Holy Moly!

It's old news now. We have a new alderman, Nick Sposato! Congratulations Mr. Sposato! Do good! Either way, this blog will report it!!

Something to think about as you head to the polls tomorrow

In case you're insufficiently pumped up to go vote tomorrow, read "Chicago Inspector General Says We Spend 18 Million a Year on People Who Don't Work".

Don't Forget to Vote

Runoff election day, tomorrow, Tuesday April 5.

Upcoming Aldermanic Run-off Debates

Televised debate between Rice and Sposato next week Monday, March 28th, 7pm on "Chicago Tonight", Channel 11 WTTW.

The live debate at the Bethesda Home on Wednesday March 30, 2011 has changed. It will now be held at the St. William Catholic School, Liebrich Hall, 2559 N. Sayre. Same date, 7:00pm. Get the details at http://galewood.net/2011/forum-new-location/. The sponsor is still trying to secure Mr. Rice's attendence.

36th Figures Prominently in Former Mobster's New Book

The revelations keep coming...

Frank Calabrese Junior Talks About Chicago Politics and the Outfit: MyFoxCHICAGO.com

Sun-Times Profile of Nick Sposato

Firefighter bucks odds in 36th Ward - Chicago Sun-Times

Rahm Likes Rice. Should You?

There's a lot of consternation and gnashing of teeth on the blogs about Rahm's endorsement of Rice. It shouldn't really come as a surprise since he's basically returning a favor. It was the 36th Ward Democratic Organization that got out the vote for Rahm in his successful bid to become congressman of the 5th (our) District in 2002. This, in turn, resulted from Mayor Daley's request to Alderman Banks in order to reward Rahm for, among other things, doing a good job in Daley's 1989 mayoral campaign.

Now just because Mayor-elect Rahm endorses an aldermanic candidate, doesn't mean it's a lock. Emanuel endorsed machine candidate Tommy O'Donnell in the 47th ward aldermanic race and he ended up losing to wunderkind pot-hole-reporting app developer Ameya Pewar. You gotta really like that.

Check out Ben Joravsky's story in this week's Reader, "How Ameya Pawar Bowled Over the 47th Ward".

Heir, Apparently

Quote from an article on the aldermanic runoff elections in the Trib:

Rice scoffed at the idea the vote was a referendum on him. He said some of the other candidates entered the race as "shills" simply to depress his vote totals and force him into a runoff.
"If even one of those other five hadn't run, I'd be dancing in the street today," Rice said. "Instead, I have to take money I would have spent on community baseball and softball programs and use it to print signs so I can win in April. It's a shame."

Darn this pesky democracy thing!