Ramsin Canon

Waiting... For a Cure
Local waitress (and performer) Jade Phillips had a bright idea: why not get Chicago's enormous service community to come together for a good cause, and bring much-needed attention to one of the deadliest forms of cancer that, also, affects only women: ovarian cancer. The result: Waiting For a Cure. On August 31st, waitstaff from across the city will pledge the night's tips to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). I know the service industry reps GB hard: why don't you take a second to get involved and spread the word about this unique way to raise money and raise the profile of a serious illness? Visit here to sign up, here to donate.
Tuesday August 7 2007Health/Fitness 

Big Box Living Wage Ordinance Passes
The Big Box Living Wage Ordinance has passed the City Council with a margin of 35 to 14, enough to override a Mayoral veto.
Wednesday July 26 2006Politics/Activism 

Candlelight Vigil for Living Wages
The Chicago Grassroots Collaborative, a coalition of labor, religious, and community groups, invites you to join them for a candlelight vigil in support of the Big Box Living Wage outside of City Hall tonight at 9pm.
Tuesday July 25 2006Politics/Activism 

Big Box Living Wage Vote Tomorrow
The Chicago City Council will be voting on the Big Box Living Wage Ordinance tomorrow, and things are getting ugly. Chicago Tribune columnist and blogger Eric Zorn has a good piece up exposing the real issue (that this is about precedent and ideology, not economics), which is decidedly at odds with his paper's editorial board's opinion. Ald. Joe Moore, chief sponsor of the ordinance, had a heated debate with a retail industry representative this morning on WBEZ's 848 program. A poll by Lake, Snell, and Perry earlier this year showed 84% support for the measure among Chicagoans. This is your last chance--call your alderman today and let them know how you feel!
Tuesday July 25 2006Politics/Activism 

Ask Illinois Push Poll
If you have a Chicago phone number and are a regular voter, you may be getting a one-question "Ask Illinois" automated survey today! I'll post the text of the survey, and you tell me who you think commissioned it: "Members of the Chicago City Council want to stop new retail stores from opening in the city because the union bosses don't want the competition. These new stores would create thousands of new jobs in underdeveloped neighborhoods. Here's our question: do you want to see retail development and thousands of new jobs in Chicago's underdeveloped neighborhoods? If you want to see the jobs, press 1, if you think the council should stop the jobs press 2 if you're not sure press 3." What a fortuitous time to get asked such a question.
Wednesday July 19 2006Politics/Activism 

Laski, But Not Leastly
City Clerk James Laski officially resigned today after getting caught on wiretaps soliciting bribes--a scandal that folds nicely into the Hired Truck Scandal. Mayor Daley has the power to appoint his successor, which he will likely do by the end of the month.
Tuesday February 7 2006Politics/Activism 

Hilarious Water Cooler Conversation
Hey, has your employer violated basic workers' rights, exported jobs overseas, or otherwise been naughty? I bet you'd love to know. Now here's a useful tool to help you do that: the AFL-CIO's "Job Tracker." Currently, 180 Illinois firms are reported as having violated the National Labor Relations Act. Wow your coworkers!
Tuesday November 22 2005Resources 

Jim Edgar Not Seeking Third Term
Jim Edgar will not be running for Governor, a seat he held for two terms in the 1990s. He had been rumored to be running for months, creating confusion in the state GOP and reticence among several potential candidates, as he would have been the clear front-runner in any primary. The field should clear up now, and the attack dogs let loose.
Friday September 30 2005Politics/Activism 

CPS Fewer Repeats
The Associated Press has a blurb about the steadily decreasing number of repeats in Chicago Public Schools, falling from 7,900 kids last year to 6,664 this year, the lowest number since they ended "social promotions" in 1997.
Thursday September 1 2005 

Inside Track To Springy
State Representative John Fritchey (D-Chicago [Dist Map])has launched a remarkable weblog, Dome-Icile, where he has been posting regularly and with noticeable candor. Check it out for the inside scoop and a revealing look at Illinois state politics; it will surely get even more interesting when the veto session rolls around in November. For background on Rep. Fritchey, check out this profile from right here on GB.
Thursday September 1 2005Politics/Activism 

SMITTEN WITH KNITTIN'
I have to say, I know way more people into knitting than I ever thought I would at this age. And while most of them are crafty ladies, apparently dudes are getting into it, too. Way to go Chicago.
Tuesday February 8 2005City Life/Cultural 

Election Interactive Map
Illinois will put 21 electoral votes towards the general presidential election on 02 November. How does this fit into the scheme of things? Check out this cool interactive electoral college map from the John Edwards website, and try to guess how the election might turn out. And do a little test for me, too. Click on just two states: New Hampshire and Missouri. What happens? Yippee!
Saturday May 15 2004Politics/Activism 

Happy Kha B'Nissan
For Assyrians all over the world, April 1 is not a day for fools, but rather: The New Year!! You may think it's 2004 -- but you'd be wrong. It's 6754! April 1st is Kha B'Nissan (literally "First of April") and we celebrate with a parade and a party. So if you see a lovable Assyrian with an Assyrian flag hanging off their rearview mirror as you make your way home from work, roll down your window and let them know: Happy Kha B'Nissan!
Thursday April 1 2004City Life/Cultural 

Injury Won't Go Away
Cubs fans -- of which, apparently, there are many -- are starting to worry about the nagging achilles injury to stud pitcher Mark Prior The injury isn't going away, and may be leading to even more problems. Luckily for the Cubs, they have a gazillion very good pitchers.
Tuesday March 30 2004Sports/Recreation 

NYC Looks To Us
In a curious package of articles in today's on-line New York Post, it is revealed that NYC's Mayor Bloomberg looked at CPS Elementary school promotion policies to try to improve achievement before kids move on to higher levels. They refer to the stricter standards, and elimination of "social promotion" as a South Side Success Story. The New York Times confirms this success. All this flattering attention coincides with another New York periodical reporting that perhaps the strict policy isn't what its cracked up to be.
Tuesday March 30 2004Schools/Education 

Trouble For Bailey
Patricia Bailey, Mayor Daley's hand-picked State Representative from the 6th District, has had quite a rocky political career. After being asked to run for the seat by the Democratic Organization, she faced a spirited effort by community groups to get their own candidate elected. Then, this year she faced down former Death Row inmate Aaron Patterson. Now, the Election Board is accusing her of perjury for possibly lying about her address. Poor Ms. Bailey--she looks like a nice lady.
Tuesday March 30 2004Politics/Activism 

Senate Debates
The Democratic candidates for the US Senate seat will have a debate, sponsored by the prestigious City Club of Chicago, on WTTW-11 tonight at 7pm. Tune in!
Thursday March 4 2004Politics/Activism 

Damn Ryan!
As if the pending construction on the already infuriating Dan Ryan expressway [reg. required] won't be enough of a headache, some Chicago pols are insinuating an influential South Side congressman--who was left nameless--would be diverting the federal funds for some or other purpose. This could stall the effort, or, worse, prolong it. Time to invest in a Metra pass if you live in the South Suburbs.
Thursday February 19 2004Politics/Activism 

The Till Murder
Black History Month has reached it's halfway point, and US Congressman Bobby Rush wants one defining moment of black history--the senseless murder of Chicagoan Emmett Till in Mississippi for allegdly whistling at a white woman--finally resolved by the US Justice Department. Congressman Rush wants the acquittals of the men who committed the murder--and later confessed to it--to be fully investigated. Till's murder is believed to be one of the sparks for the civil rights movement and it was certainly a mobilizing force for Chicago's South Side black community.
Thursday February 19 2004History 

Welcome Back Mr. Maddux
Bringing joy to the hearts of Cub fans and unbreaking, soul-crushing sorrow to White Sox fans, the Chicago Cubs have signed first-ballot Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux. I bet everybody on the North Side feels really special. Well, we got Shingo Takatsu! Just how much more active are the Cubs than the White Sox this offseason? Compare their transactions to date: Cubs...Sox
Wednesday February 18 2004Sports/Recreation 

But Those Skirts Are Adorable
The Associated Press is reporting that the Chicago Public Schools misspent $1.5m in federal funds earmarked for improving schools for impoverished children. Apparently, the money was spent on, among other things, cheerleading uniforms and floor waxers. Between the underfunding and misspending, it's a wonder our schools are in such poor shape.
Monday February 16 2004Schools/Education 

Breathe a Little Easier
The City of Chicago is slightly healthier--our EPA air quality rating has slightly improved over previous years. This means saying you're going outside for a "breath of fresh air" won't be so ironic anymore.
Thursday February 5 2004Outdoors/Environment 

Future of Futures?
Business Weekly is reporting that Swiss futures/commodities trading scrapper Eurex--once vaguely alligned with the Chicago powerhouse futures traders the Chicago Board of Trade and the Mercantile Exchange--has finally cracked into the Chicago markets and is looking to make trouble. Chicago is the birthplace of futures trading and still dominates the world markets in futures and commodities exchange, and Eurex' gambit is yet another chipping away at Chicago's homespun industry.
Thursday February 5 2004Business/Shopping 

Top Schools Ranking
The Sun-Times' annual rankings of schools were released today, with two public, non-selective elementary schools making the top 50. No non-selective high schools made the list. Of the selective high schools that made the top 50 only one, Whitney Young, is not located in the Loop or North Side.
Friday December 19 2003Schools/Education 

Big Mayor of Little Italy
Oscar D'Angelo, the so-called "Mayor of Little Italy," is being blamed for using his clout with Ald. Danny Solis (25th) to stall legislation aimed at finalizing plans for an enormous mixed-income/public housing CHA development in the Little Italy neighborhood on the Near West Side. D'Angelo, who was disbarred as the result of the massive Operation Greylord investigations, apparently feels the project, which would be under the general direction of the CHA, LR Development, and Ald. Madeline Haithcock (2nd) would erode his power base.
Friday December 19 2003Politics/Activism 

R, Not Just C, TA
The Regional Transit Authority has unveiled a lukewarm program to finally unify all regional transit -- the buses, the El, and the "commuter lines." State Representative Julie Hamos of Evanston doesn't think the convoluted program does nearly enough, and she seems to be right. ERSys provides a simple sort-of-audit of the CTA's service here.
Wednesday December 17 2003Transportation 

Elvis Spectacular!
To accompany this week's Detour, for that full interactive experience, pick up your tickets to the Elvis Birthday Spectacular!, just on sale at Ticketmaster. Or, visit Rock-a-Tiki and see the man himself up close.
Friday December 12 2003Offbeat/Misc. Events 

Goodbye, Bow Tie
Bow Tied Democratic Hero and former Senator from Illinois Paul Simon died early Tuesday after surgery on his heart. Simon's relentless honesty and social/political brilliance-blending fiscal rationality with social and individual freedom -- was the model of modern liberalism, more so than any post-LBJ figure. He was a hero to many including myself and his death signals the passing of one of America's true great statesmen. My only regret is that I was never able to vote for him.
Tuesday December 9 2003Politics/Activism 

Tough All Over
The recent economic downturn, to put it mildly, and the subsequent loss of "white collar" jobs have caused an unusually high foreclosure rate in some of the city's nicer neighborhoods, sometimes increasing at clips near 60%. This is a trend that usually precedes a real estate crisis -- which means it'll be a renter's market. Good for renters, bad for, well, everybody else.
Monday December 8 2003Politics/Activism 

Saving Flowers And What Have You
Despite opposition from Gov. Blagojevich for tax reasons, the state government over-rode his veto to provide the lovely Chicago Botanic Gardens with some much needed funding for repairs. Boo, Guv. Yay, State Gov!
Friday December 5 2003Outdoors/Environment 

Judge Tosses Bias Suit
Federal Judge Matthew Kennelly tossed out an ill-conceived dismissal motion that sought to limit the scope of an important bit of anti-discrimination legislation. The dismissal motion pertains to a lawsuit an African-American couple brought against neighbors in Calumet City who had harassed them because of their race. The Hon. Mr. Kennelly wisely stated that in interpreting a statute, every word must be honored -- and therefore those "holding" property are as much entitled to protection as those pursuing it.
Thursday December 4 2003Politics/Activism 

Mmm, rat-flavored meat
David Smith plead guilty to one charge of "improper meat storage" on Tuesday, for allowing 12 million pounds of animal flesh to reside in unclean conditions. More than five rats were being caught and killed each day at the mammoth West Side facility -- just imagine the ones that got away. Apparently, the meat was destined for "high-quality" restaurants in the Chicagoland area. Close to $7.5million in meat had to be destroyed.
Thursday December 4 2003In the News 

BPI and Housing
The Business and Professional People For the Public Interest are a little heralded group, but they have been instrumental in offering legal assistance to those resisting the continued segregation of housing in Chicago. Since representing the plaintiffs in the landmark Gautreaux case, BPI-Chicago has rolled up its sleeves and pitched in to help communities better organize in order to have a more influential voice in CHA's plans.
Wednesday December 3 2003Politics/Activism 

Good To Be A North Sider
The North Side Boys keep getting better: the Cubs signed Minnesota Twins reliever -- and career White Sox Killer -- LaTroy Hawkins to a three-year deal Tuesday. In much less infuriating news, the White Sox acquired solid, lovable short stop Juan Uribe from the Colorado Rockies.
Wednesday December 3 2003Sports/Recreation 

Matt O'Shea Drops Out
Huggable mayor of downstate Metamora Matt O'Shea dropped out of the race for the Democratic Nomination for Senate, which means all of the remaining candidates are Chicago-based. O'Shea, who was a Republican until he felt "betrayed" by the RNC, has backed former School Board chief Gery Chico, which means the other candidates will have to work even harder to carve out slices for themselves in Chicago. Can't wait until every every immovable object in the city is slathered with campaign signs.
Tuesday December 2 2003Politics/Activism 

UIC Makin' Jaws
The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the enormous, lavishly funded biotech research arm of the University of Illinois-Chicago has successfully crafted part of a human jaw using rat stem cells. [login: gapers/gapers]. They also proved that once the process becomes standardized, it will be relatively inexpensive (or as inexpensive as anything having to do with medicine ever is). But if they need more rats, I know a few nice rat families that have made quite a living under our deck.
Tuesday December 2 2003In the News 

Progress on Syphilis
Chicago Free Press is reporting that incidences of syphilis have declined by 33% in the city of Chicago, but have risen by 9% throughout the rest of the country. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that 40% of that increase involves gay males.
Monday December 1 2003In the News 

Wisconsin Water Flap
For years, the state of Wisconsin--and more specifically, the city of Milwaukee--have complained about our fair city's monopoly on delicious delicious lake water. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has the latest diatribe against our hording of dihydrogen monoxide. As it turns out, the Supreme Court decided only we're special enough to lap up that clear gold, and the State of Illinois has been vehement in demands to keep other cities and states away from lake water.
Sunday November 30 2003Politics/Activism 

OHare and the Little Guy
O'Hare Expansion will no doubt be of long-term benefit to Chicago and the "airport suburbs." For now, however, a lot of the little people are feeling the squeeze. The City should seek to be more fair in its land-purchasing and demolition activities, compensating businesses for lost capital and relocation.
Friday November 28 2003Politics/Activism 

Christkindlmarkt
The weather outside is frightful, so its time to make that eyesore at Block 37 more delightful. Luckily the German-American Chamber of Commerce and the Goethe-Institut Chicago--celebrating its 25th Anniversary!--will be setting up the beloved and quite German Christkindlmarkt! The sweet strains of Christmas music and off-putting smell of lightly-grilled pork products can't be missed--and every time you're there, don't forget to stop by "Sweet Swabian" and pick up a package of those delicious cinnamon-and-honey dipped nuts.
Friday November 28 2003Offbeat/Misc. Events 

Assyrians of Chicago
...And you thought we were just on public access. The Assyrians are one of the oldest immigrant groups in Chicago, settling here in mass numbers beginning in the 20s. AINA.org provides this report on Assyrians in Chicago. Although there are no definitive demographic reports, the most reliable estimate is roughly 60,000 Assyrians currently live in Chicago (generally in West Rogers Park), with an additional 25,000 or so in the north/northwest suburbs. You may have seen our beautiful church at 7201 North Ashland, and our smaller yet still lovely Church at 1421 W. Lawrence. We enjoy tomato-based stews and more discerning bigots.
Friday November 28 2003City Life/Cultural 

Hollinger If You Hear Me
The Sun-Times' parent company, Hollinger Inc, seems headed to bad times -- and possible obliteration. Chicago-based Hollinger, Inc. owns the London Daily Telegraph and the Jerusalem Post, among other papers. Its CEO, Conrad Black, has stepped down after a major financial scandal, and other board members were implicated as well. The company will try to sell off assets, including the Sun-Times. The Tribune gleefully ran the story on the front page [login: gapers/gapers]; the Sun-Times buried it on page 51.
Tuesday November 18 2003Print/Magazines 

A Puritan Chicago!?
A "little-known bureaucrat," Winston Mardis, has made it immensely difficult to obtain a liquor license of any sort in the City of Chicago, apparently at the behest of the Mayor. Don't they realize -- this is a steak and martini town! Apparently, the 43rd Ward (Lincoln Park) hasn't issued a tavern license in a decade. Originally stricter licenses were needed because mobsters were fond of using bars as a way to wash money; now it's because Daley wants a family town. Well, too bad: everybody knows conventioneers always move to vice-ier pastures.
Tuesday November 18 2003Politics/Activism 

Senate Nominations - Will on Ryan and the Dem Hopefuls
Lacker of lips and conservative pundit George F. Will thinks Republican candidate for the Senatorial nomination Jack Ryan is too good to be true; however, Mr Will is quite upset that African-American voters can't seem to vote for anybody but Democrats. How exquisitely unpatronizing. Ryan's internal polling reveals a double digit lead over the other Republicans; one campaign staffer for an opposing candidate laughed off the poll, asking, "Where was this taken, New Trier Township?" Besides, just how well can someone with the last name "Ryan" do in Illinois? Meanwhile, the Democratic field has grown more crowded, with stealth politician, sensible liberal and self-made ultra millionaire Blair Hull making excellent impressions across the state and city.
Monday November 17 2003Politics/Activism 

Business--of Education?
The Society of Jesus--known to lay people as Jesuits and to Southern Baptists as Them Thar Agents of the Papacy--is trying to level the playing field for their students in poorer neighborhoods. By getting them jobs at downtown Chicago firms, they hope to give kids valuable work experience, help them make connections, and also procure funding for the schools themselves. Is this an altruistic concern for these kids futures, or evil exploitation of cheap labor? The students seem to think the former, so I'll go with them. Please ignore the eminently ironic picture of the hopeful kid in front of the Arthur Andersen sign.
Wednesday November 12 2003Schools/Education 

BPP-PI
See, Business and Professional People aren't all bad--especially if they're Business and Professional People for the Public Interest. BPP-PI is a group of, well, business and professional people who dedicate their business, legal, and financial resources to aiding the causes of social justice--segregated housing, public education, etc.--in Chicago. Going strong for 30 years, they could always use your support.
Wednesday November 5 2003Politics/Activism 

Postal Chess Tournaments
Nothing is better at making you feel stupid than playing chess against smarter people. Interested in the self-abuse? Contact the APCT--American Postal Chess Tournaments--headquartered in Western Springs, Illinios. They'll set you up, and the check-mating can begin!
Wednesday November 5 2003City Life/Cultural 

SLEEPY BEAR PYJAMAS DROP GAME 1
Awww, looks like the Northside Boys in the Sleepy Bear Pyjamas dropped Game One of the NLCS to the Florida Marlins, 9-8 in 11 Innings. Game Two is scheduled for Wednesday, when ace Mark Prior will pitch against the The Fish.
Tuesday October 7 2003Sports/Recreation 

Guv Rod and the Rx
Good Ol' Rod Blagojevich in keeping with Illinois tradition of vanguardism (as with Fmr. Gov. Ryan's death-sentence moratorium), has led the charge for cheaper prescription drugs by sending a "fact-finding" mission to Canada. The FDA, as expected, is not too happy.
Tuesday October 7 2003Politics/Activism 

Hop On Top Cop
Over protest from Rainbow-PUSH, Mayor Daley appointed Phil Cline, the current acting superintendent of Police, as the new superintendent. Cline has a great on-job performance record and is well-liked among CPD rank-and-file. He appointed the Commander of the notorious Harrison District Dana Starks, an African-American, as First Deputy.
Tuesday October 7 2003Politics/Activism 

H.E.R.E. Workers At Congress Hotel
The Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union (Local 1) is still on strike, dragging out a fight with the Congress Hotel (Congress and Michigan) that started in early June. Twenty workers were arrested on Labor Day for blocking Michigan Avenue, and currently the striking workers -- many of them immigrants -- remain camped outside the entrance, encouraging walk-ups to go elsewhere, providing lists of unionized hotels. If you want to help, contact HERE.
Tuesday September 30 2003Politics/Activism 

Cubs Steal Game One
The Cubs won their first post-season road game since the 1945 World Series tonight, 4-2, over the Braves. Kerry Wood served up a virtuoso pitching performance to lead the Cubs, giving up only three hits to the most potent offense in the National League. He also provided the go-ahead double in the sixth inning. Carlos Zambrano and Mark Prior pitch games 2 and 3, but the Braves have the most lethal late-game offense in the majors.
Tuesday September 30 2003Sports/Recreation 

Duff Family Indictments
The Duff Family, who run the enormous Windy City family of city services (including waste management, janitorial services, and more), were indicted by the Federal Government on Thursday. The Duffs received close to $100m in city contracts, often "minority contracts," received because they install dummy presidents on their subsidiaries. One of these, Remedial Environmental Manpower, was headed by an African-American, Charles Stratton, who answered to the Duffs. The green REM trucks should be familiar to you: they're basically omnipresent in every city neighborhood.
Friday September 26 2003In the News 

Metrosexuals PRO and CON
Why it's on ESPN.com I have no idea, but two columnists have weighed in on the Metrosexual phenomenon--including hometown boy and ESPN Radio anchor Mike Greenberg. PRO...and...CON
Tuesday September 23 2003In the News 

TIP-TOEING TO HOUSING
The City of Chicago has ceased dragging its feet on a publicly-subsidized old-folks home on the corner of Roosevelt and St. Louis in the North Lawndale neighborhood on Chicago's West Side. The nearest retirment home is in the 3700 block of West Washington, in Garfield Park. This is just one of the many projects initiated by the Stalinist-sounding "Plan for Transformation," developed by the CHA in "tandem" with City Hall. Work on the Lake Park Crescent mixed income development in Kenwood has also moved along well in the last three months; and the movement of Cabrini Green families into "North Town Village," the developer's neighborhood on Halsted between Evergreen and Weed has been completed with 79 families successfully relocated. It's just a start, but a start.
Friday June 27 2003Politics/Activism 

Protecting The Big Boys' Property
Somehow, the City of Chicago has lost its campaign to eliminate the independent Property Tax Appeals Board (PTAB), which every year accounts for millions of dollars in shortfalls in the schools budget. The Mayor and Cook County Assessor James Houlihan tried to endorse a county-run appeals board in order to keep big business from exploiting their legal resources to save money on their property taxes. The Illinois State Senate struck down the bill to eliminate the PTAB, and the city is predicting millions of dollars in losses, which will directly affect the CPS, which is largely funded by commercial/industrial property taxes.
Friday June 6 2003Politics/Activism 

The Anachronization of Neighborhoods
The development juggernaut known as the University Village Association (UVA), which has extended UIC down to 18th Street along Halsted as well as displaced countless businesses and homes between Van Buren and Taylor Streets between the west 800 and 1200 blocks, is now trying to make Taylor Street more "European." They've issued a set of guidelines for current and future businesses that would insist on "street furniture," fancy "menu boxes," for restaurants, and turning the ABLA homes power plant into a "funky" microbrewery or bookstore. This follows the pattern of forcing an old-world sensibility on organic neighborhoods that has marred places like Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, and "Old Town." Been to Taylor Street recently?

The irony of this situation is that Taylor Street's diversity and "organic," nature, meaning its somewhat disjointed streetwall, are the epitome of the "European" style of urban development. Zoning laws and community-enforced architectural regularities are all but absent in most European towns, and as a result you get...well, you get Taylor Street, more or less. Taylor Street is one of the hidden gems in the city's long list of historic commercial strips, getting none of the publicity or foot traffic that its cousins up North or Northwest get. This attempt by the UVA to homogenize the Taylor Street streetscape will completely rob the area of its wonderful, organic, small-town feel. If you enjoy a good Mario's Lemonade, drinks at La Vita, the phenomenal Italian sandwiches from Conte DiSavoia or soul-food breakfasts from Sweet Maple, let Alderman Danny Solis know it!
Friday June 6 2003Politics/Activism 

Goodbye, Checkerboard
The Checkerboard Lounge has closed its doors, after several attempts to find new ownership or relocate to Alderman Dorothy "The Hat" Tillman's (3rd) proposed Blues District a few blocks south. The Checkerboard, at 423 E. 43rd Street, has been the center of Chicago's Bronzeville blues scene since the 1930s. Among the superstars who paid for the chance to play at the Checkerboard were Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Eric Clapton -- now, due to the stubborn refusal of the owner to sell the building to the manager, it will close its doors. Hopefully, if Ms Tillman's controversial "Blues District" ever leaves the ground, the Checkerboard can be resurrected. Don't count on it, though--Ms Tillman's record in development has been abysmal.
Monday June 2 2003City Life/Cultural