What do you think makes Chicago a great city?

In your opinion, what are the main factors that make Chicago a great city? It can be anything from politics, to natural features, to the skyline, or mass transit etc.>

To Gain or Not to Gain that is the question

Perhaps somebody know's the answer to this ....Does Chicago market itself as a palce to relocate for international immigrant, especially growth sector immigrants. I mean does Chicago have a program in palce in countries to promote itself as a place an immigrant should move to when they come to this country. Lets face it pop. growth in the US is essentially zero to maybe negative sans immigration. I believe Chicago ( area) in the last census was the third largest net gainer of immigrant after NY, LA....can we do better by advertising Chicago (city) in particuliar as a viable and positive place can begin thier life in America. If Chicago ever wants or even possibly can see pop gains like it has in the past it must turn toward drawing immigrants to it. Not only mexican immigrants, we need to focus on immigrants from asia, as well as eastern europe. thoughts?>

Welcome to Chicago, Innovene!

Innovene finds its home base Petrochemical firm's chief executive says state grants weren't the main attraction By Robert Manor Tribune staff reporter Published April 16, 2005 Meet Innovene, a giant Chicago-based company so new that its chief executive officer hasn't gotten his business cards. Last year, oil giant BP PLC announced it would spin off its chemicals business, which had gross revenue of $15 billion. The company, now christened Innovene, set off to find a city for its global headquarters. Houston, one of the world's great centers for petrochemicals, and Chicago, not one of the world's great centers for petrochemicals, were the front-runners. Innovene CEO Ralph Alexander has lived in Houston, still owns a house there and has family there as well. "I love the place," he said. So he chose Chicago. "People we recruited wanted to come to Chicago," Alexander said Friday. He said many of his staff had previously lived in the city and wanted to return. It didn't hurt that Chicago is much more of an international center for business than Houston, he said. Innovene's 8,500 employees are scattered over North America, Europe and Asia, and the company is the largest industrial employer in Scotland. "Our company is global," Alexander said. "It is important for us to be in a city that is global." Alexander, 50, said he likes the energy of Chicago. He said he was impressed by the way business and government pulled together to build Millennium Park. He said he and his wife, so new to the city that they are still looking for a home, plan to live downtown, in part because there are so many things to do there. Innovene is a Fortune 150 company, the kind that governors shower with subsidies and tax breaks to attract. In Innovene's case, Gov. Rod Blagojevich offered $1.3 million in grants. As corporate welfare goes, that is more than a bagel with cream cheese but far less than significant. "The decision to come to Chicago had nothing to do with subsidies," Alexander said. "The money was not material." In a way, Innovene is coming home. Corporate parent BP bought Chicago-based Amoco in 1998, and the towering Amoco building eventually was renamed Aon Center. Innovene's global headquarters are on the 25th floor of the Aon Center. Alexander's office faces south, with a panoramic view of the Michigan Avenue streetwall, Millennium Park and the lake. The choice of the old Amoco building was not sentimental. Alexander said BP acquired long-term leases in the building when it bought Amoco. That means Innovene could get the space on the cheap. Seeks to become a brand name Innovene processes petroleum and natural gas into substances with names like acrylonitrile, polypropylene and polyalphaolefins--in other words, plastics and its precursors. The company's products end up in DVD cases, auto parts, carpet fabric, dry-cleaning bags, rifle stocks, disposable syringes and a universe of other items made of plastic. Innovene is likely to issue an initial public offering of stock this year, and Securities and Exchange Commission rules prevent executives from talking about some aspects of the company. But Alexander allows that the $1.5 trillion industry is healthy, with demand for the products of Innovene and similar companies rising faster than the world's economy. Innovene, for example, is opening a $2.7 billion production facility outside of Shanghai. Oil and natural gas are the raw materials of Innovene, and the current high prices sting. But the company also operates oil refineries in France and Scotland, and refineries tend to do well when prices are high. Although Innovene will never be a household name, Alexander's goal is for it to become a brand name in the industry. And he offers an anecdote to illustrate the reach of his business. "One out of four athletes in the world use a product we made," he said. - - - New company Name: Innovene Global headquarters: Aon Center, 200 E. Randolph St., Chicago Size: A Fortune 150 company Revenues: $15 billion Employees: 8,500>

Cook/Chicago population changes

This article suggests a slow trickle of population out of Cook County, and it also suggests that Chicago's population has declined from 2000 to 2004. That being said, I have a few questions (if this is true). Even if Chicago's population stabilizes or slowly shrinks, isn't the city still doing great? After all, is the city better off with blue collar families or with millionaire singles and couples? That's the question that we must truly ask. Apparently, Chicago is transitioning from a city of producers to a city of consumers. I think we're better off as a city full of consumers because consumers want to be ENTERTAINED!! And after all, consumers spend a lot more cash than producers do. Not only that, but isn't it better that families are leaving the city because it's too expensive, rather than because it's too dirty, crime-ridden, and run-down? Hmmm, it's gotta make you wonder... Anyway, Chicago's current boom confuses me. Is the city doing well or is this just a facade? Perhaps only history will tell. After all, even the current transit crisis tells us more about our society's values than about the health of the city, don't you think? Either way, here's the article (Tribune): Cook losing people, collar counties gaining By John McCormick Tribune staff reporter Published April 15, 2005 Cook County lost more people between 2000 and 2004 than any county in the nation, according to estimates released Thursday by the Census Bureau. The new figures--based on administrative records and estimates for births, deaths and net migration--show the county lost nearly 49,000 people, or 0.9 percent, since the last official count in April 2000. The largest-loser designation can partly be attributed to its massive size because raw numbers were used for the rankings. Still, among the nation's 10 largest counties, Cook County, with 5.3 million residents, was the only to record a population loss during the four-year period. The suggestion that Cook County may be losing population runs against the perception of growth fueled by the large number of condominium projects that have sprouted across Chicago's skyline in recent years. But demographers say those buildings are often being inhabited by singles, couples and empty-nesters that are smaller in size than the families that are moving out. As the area's central county recorded a loss, the news was more positive for the collar counties, where demographers say many of those who move from Cook County end up. The growth was especially strong in the metropolitan area's southwest section, where sprawl is booming. Kendall County showed the nation's second-fastest percentage growth from 2003 to 2004, adding an estimated 8.3 percent, or about 5,500 people, in a single year. Since 2000, the estimates suggest the county has grown by 33 percent, adding 18,000 people and bringing the population to 72,548. Will County, meanwhile, grew 4.8 percent from 2003 to 2004, adding more than 28,000 people and bringing the population to 613,849. That was a large enough jump to rank it among the top 10 counties nationally for numeric gain. It was the only county outside the nation's rapidly growing South and West to make that list. The loss of Cook County population comes after it recorded a 5.3 percent population increase between 1990 and 2000, a period when the city of Chicago grew by 4 percent. Kenneth Johnson, a demographer at Loyola University Chicago, said that during the four-year period the county recorded an influx of 188,000 immigrants, but also suffered a net loss of nearly 399,000 residents to other U.S. counties, resulting in an overall net loss of 211,000 people to migration. Another factor used to build the population estimates, births versus deaths, showed a positive growth trend of more births than deaths. But the migration losses were enough to result in an overall loss of nearly 49,000 people. "I think most of the loss is coming from the city," Johnson said, pointing to other census releases in the last couple years that have suggested declines for Chicago. "Whatever is going on, it may be accelerating a little bit." A report Johnson published earlier this year using other census data showed suburban Cook's population remained essentially flat between 2000 and 2003. Still, other demographers urged caution when examining the county numbers. Marc Thomas, information services manager for the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission, said some estimates in the 1990s showed the city losing population, a trend that proved false once the 2000 census was released. "There are new housing units downtown," Thomas said. "But we really don't know what is going on in the other neighborhoods." One thing that is clear, Thomas said, is the continued importance of immigrants in maintaining Cook County's population. "Cook County is relying on foreign immigration to prop it up," he said. While DuPage and Lake Counties were once top destinations for people leaving Cook County, Thomas said Kendall and Will Counties now appear to be favored by those seeking affordable housing in the suburbs. "By and large, it is driven by people wanting newer and bigger as cheaply as possible," he said. Thomas said Cook County also has a large number of Baby Boomers nearing retirement age. "The question will be where they go after retirement," he said. Chicago officials said they had not examined the census data, but they discounted the notion that the city is losing population. "The city is vibrant and is still attractive to people and is attracting people," said Connie Buscemi, spokeswoman for the city's Department of Planning and Development. "That's evident by the number of homes and residences that are being developed all throughout the city." Among the nation's 10 largest counties, Maricopa County (Phoenix area) recorded the largest gain--14 percent--between 2000 and 2004. Los Angeles County, the nation's largest, grew by 4.4 percent. Although Kendall and Will Counties were the only two in the metropolitan area to record population increases large enough to make the top census rankings, all of the collar counties added enough residents from 2003 to 2004 to be among the top half of U.S. counties for percentage gain. West suburban Kane County recorded an estimated 3.1 percent increase in population, followed by McHenry County (2.7 percent), Lake County (1.6 percent) and DuPage County (0.5 percent).>

Do Sox need rival?

These are heady times for the Chicago White Sox. World Champions last season, they have given every indication of being in the thick of things all season long this year. And with the Cubs down (and talk after the All Star Game undoubtedly centered around "next season"), the Sox will likely be holding this town's whole attention in the meaningful later stages fo the campaign. Is this a permananet change? Has the power switched in Chicago from north to south? Not really. All things being equal, Chicago is a Cub town. The Sox need success on the field to bring success at the box office; the Cubs don't. And more fans have the Cubs in their heart than the Sox. Lots of factors and lots of intangible make it so: the lovable losers, that classic old ball park, the North Side location, the bars and the yuppies, WGN and a nation of Cub lovers, management that never threatened to move.....and perhaps, a classic rivalry in Cubs-Cards (only Yanks-Red Sox and Giants-Dogers are in this category). But why not the White Sox? Why not, as they position themselves towards the goal of equal status in Chicago through placing the right team on the field, making the Cell more comfortable, cashing in on a rebuilding South Side, and all the other things that a franchise does to make itself viable, why not doing whatever it can to promote that one special rivalry that adds incredible interest and sparks the type of partisanship a baseball team needs? I said promote, not create. Much of the excitement must come from players and fans alike...and be felt in the heart and the gut. What I'm suggesting is that the Sox management zeros in on the one "right" franchise that could draw passion among Sox fans....and push it. Which team: take your pick of the T's.....Twins, Tigers, Tribe. Minnesota has been the closest rival for a number of years although I personally find the Twin Cities more progressive than passionate. A resurgent Tiger franchise offers promise; Detroit is Chicago-like in being a great sports town and its relationship with Chicago somewhat parallels Chicago and St. Louis. Meanwhile, you still have the remnants of the two former industrial giants going for you. Lakefront Cleveland is somewhat Chicago-like and offers promise (although it is no in our backyard Milwaukee). [b]If the White Sox could develop something truly special with either the Twins, Tigers, or Indians...would this be one of those factors that play out with fan interest in Chicago between the Sox and the Cubs? Could a major rivalry really help the Sox?[b]>

Which neighborhood do you represent?

Please post the neighborhood, district, or Chicago region you represent. If you live in a suburb which one is it. >

GRANT PARK REDEVELOPMENT

WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU WANT TO SEE DONE TO GRANT PARK? I LOVE THE IDEA OF COVERING A MAJORITY OF THE TRACKS As Crain's goes to press . . . Late headlines from the Monday, Dec. 19 issue Activist to city: Redo SW tip of Grant Park A 15-acre eyesore forming the southwest corner of Grant Park would become parkland at a cost of up to $40 million under a plan that would tap tax-increment financing (TIF) money. The parcel north of Roosevelt Road and east of Michigan Avenue is part of the Near South TIF, says Bob O'Neill, head of the Grant Park Advisory Council, who has lobbied Park District CEO Tim Mitchell and plans to meet with Planning Department chief Lori Healy. Much of the expense would involve decking over railroad tracks. [Steven R. Strahler]>

New Construction Advice, good/bad/buy? (1 million range) for any real estate experts.

I'm helping my grandpa buy a property in the streeterville area, and wow, 1 million really doesn't get you much anymore. Please feel free to comment on any observations you may have on getting a solid investment for his savings. 600 n lake shore drive south tower 1800 sq feet on lsd north or in that area where he has an unobstructed lake view facing east. Right above the pedway to ohio st. beach/navy pier, etc. This is one of the last remaining lots on n lsd that is new construction, (besides spire which would be out of his price range, I called the fordham group and 1800 sq feet will cost roughly 2 million!?!) Anyhow I know there is another building that was built in 2003 by the same company right near, but he is only looking for new construction that will be done in a few years, so this is pretty much it. My only concern is that it's on the lowest floor (5th) so the traffic may be loud. Also the upgrades and finishes are nothing to be impressed about, very substandard, unlike 600 north fairbanks or anything else a few blocks west and not on lsd. Basically he's paying for location it seems, but 1800sq feet on a low floor even if it is facing east to the lake with parking for 960k doesnt seem like a good deal. Oh well there is no negotiation for new construction and thus he will probably buy.>

Pictures of Schaumburg, Haters Beware, These May Be Too Nice For You To Handle

Here are some pics I took of Schaumburg a couple of months ago. Schaumburg makes an effort to try to make it look nice. This corner is an example. This is the Schaumburg library. It is the second biggest one in the State of Illinois. I have heard many positive things about it. The park was not finished yet, as you will see. Looks like a nice design though. The next two pictures are from a park near the library The next group of pictures is from a retail area, also near the library. Some really cool landscaping at village hall Nice crib!!! Schaumburg actually has the second largest skyline in Illinois, as defined by number of highrises. The next four pics are of The Zurich Towers and the last one is Woodfield Corporate Center This pic would be perfect if it wasn't for the damn UFO! >

My Chicago pictures from 4/15/05; Some aerials and two airport shots.

By tradition, James2390 brings you some non-quality pics. I took these on my flight coming back home from Chicago, coming back back from Atlanta. They look blurry, but I don't know if that is just my suck ass monitor, or photobucket. The wierd ass walkway connecting terminals B and C. These two are really blurry, but I think they look cool. Aerials... The best shot: Back home again... >

nightlife and entertainment

i know of several hot spots for nightlife and entertainment in chicago but im wondering if you guys know of any more. heres my list: -riglyville/lakeveiw (clark/addison) -lincoln square(were lincoln meets western area) -near north area-by division/rush/dearborn/oak street area -the theater district on state st. -old town on wells st. -uptown(lawrence and broadway)>

What should i do on a one-day trip to chicago?

This sunday i will be visiting down there, should i take metra?amtrack? i would just like to hear it from a real chicagoan so i can hit the right stuff. thanks! also how do you get around downtown. its a maze!>

Information on CBP - Citizens for Better Planning

Next Meeting : Thursday June 22 @ 8:30 PM Currently all meetings are being held at the Billy Goat Tavern on Lower Michigan Ave. We would like to thank The Urban Politician for bringing the original idea for CBP - Citizens for Better Planning to Skyscraper City on 2/3/2006. Also thanks goes out to everyone that contributed to the original threads. Original Posts concerning CBP Original Post Naming Discussion Naming Poll Meeting Thread Renaming Primary Renaming Poll #2 Renaming Run Off Compromise Vote CBP is open to all citizens of Chicago who would like to take an active role in shaping the city for the future. In the most basic of terms CBP is concerned with development in the city of Chicago. From new construction; including Architectural design, mixed usage, pedestrian orientation of the space and orientation towards public transit usage, to the Intelligent Redevelopment of existing structures. We feel that to much of the cityÂ's space is being wasted on poorly planned structures. If this continues ChicagoÂ's legacy of Architectural greatness could be in jeopardy. This thread is meant to put information to the members of the forum. It is not meant to be a place to discuss the groupÂ's policies or direction. Anyone has a question for the group please contact me and I will respond as soon as possible. This thread will be updated with the time and location of the next meeting as soon as it is set, the week before the meeting, and finally the day of. E-Mail Me Thank you all for your time.>

Just had the coolest dream.

I had a dream that The Fordham Spire Spire was approved along with the Skyneedle, 7SD, and the Illinois. the skyline was expanded five times it's previous size, and Chicago became one of the most popular cities in the world. I was SO annoyed when I woke up and it wasn't true!! >

The Sears Tower Quiz!

Test your knowledge about the famous Sears Tower! Rules: No google,no cheating,and no other resources to find answers. If you know the answers just type them down. No looking at other peoples answers before submitting your answer sheet. No PM's to other users about answers, etc. No editing your answers after submitting them, if you do, you get a big fat 0! No discussing questions! If you know a website that gives out the correct answers, keep your mouth shut! NO TELLING THE CORRECT ANSWERS TO OTHER FORUMERS!!! There are 10 questions each are worth 10 points for a grand total of 100 points, all questions are multiple choice, I will give out the answers in a couple days or so. No hints will be given. Let the Sear Tower Quiz begin and Good Luck! > #1. How tall is the Sears Tower(top of antenna): A. 1,973 feet. B. 1,428 feet. C. 1,730 feet. D. 1,163 feet. #2. How many toilets are installed in the Sears Tower: A. 943 B. 1,500 C. 1,242 D. 766 #3. In a worst-case scenario windstorm, approximatwly how far is the Sears Tower designed to sway: A. 48 inches. B. 24 inches. C. 12 inches. D. 36 inches. #4. Each month, the Sears Tower cleaning staff goes through: A. 480 gallons of toilet bowl cleaner B. 80,000 garbage bags C. 400 mop heads D. All of the Above #5. The Sears Tower Obsevation Deck elevators travel how many feet per minute: A. 800 B. 1600 C. 2200 D. 950 #6. Why was Alain Robert of France arrested at the Sears Tower in 1999: A. He was found impersonating a security officer. B. He attempted to parachute off the building. C. He climbed to the top of the building - from the outside! D. He was caught shoplifting $700 worth of items from the gift shop. #7. How many surveillance cameras operate in the Sears Tower: A. 95 B. 135 C. 250 D. 300 #8. Approximately how many windows do washers have to clean at the Sears Tower: A. 25,000 B. 11,000 C. 42,000 D. 16,000 #9. How many people are authorized to create the keys that fit into the 16,000 to 17,000 locks in the Sears Tower: A. 1 B. 5 C. 16 D. 100 #10. What is the highest useable floor of the Sears Tower: A. 100th B. 101th C. 110th D. 111th Thank You for taking the Sears Tower Quiz. >>

Albany Park Gentrifiying?

My old neighborhood seems to be attracting people from Lincoln Square, Andersonville and Lakeview. Some of the gay population is getting priced out of these areas, and looking west to AP. It is also attracting chains like Starbucks and condo developers. With the brown line rehab finished, AP will become even more desirable (with its 3-4 stations). With Daley trying to get more TODs in the city, Lawrence and Kedzie Avenues could really benefit in the next few years. Any thoughts on this dense, vibrant area? Some of the developments: Park Manor. 3611 W. Montrose. 2934 W. Montrose 3420 W. Foster 5420 N. Kedzie. 3000 W. Lawrence. 3113 W. Lawrence. (a few years old) >

Chicago at Christmastime (pics)

Post some pictures of Chicago during Christmas season I'll start >

Chgo/SF: How strong the link?

Here's a topic that hasn't come up here: what is the relationship between Chicago and San Francisco? We seem to get hyper-focused on LA with which Chicago has a spirited rivalry. It no doubt came form the similiarities of population and LA passing up Chicago, as well as being the two non-NYC global cities in the US. Sheer size of the two cities may obscure there is another city in California, much smaller but part of a huge metro area, that shares so much with Chicago. But what about San Francisco? It seems to me we share a lot with the city by the bay. Going back to the time of the first continental railroad, when the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific joined up at Promitory Point, essentially what was happening was the joining of SF (Oak) with Chicago. Both cities were influenced by Daniel Burnham (oblivously more so in Chicago than in SF) and Chicago architetects have played a prominent role in the development of SF architeture, including the Bay and GG bridges. Educationally both areas offer up the likes of Northwestern, Chicago, Cal, and Stanford. ORD/SFO is one of the nation's strongest air links. No other cities away from the northeast corridor project urbanity the way that Chicago and San Francisco do; in that sense, they are in a class by themselves. Downtown, SF may be more like Chicago than any other city: two magnets without the sheer size of Manhattan. NY, Chgo, SF, and Boston, IMHO, have the nations most vibrant downtowns, but Boston (with its proximity to NYC) does break away from the pack as a major center the way SF does. A recent thread on the West Coast board showed pictures of SF development (u.c. and planned) and what you see is almost Chicago-like, in scale and scope. I realize there is a lot of speculation in architectural renderings, but if most of this stuff is built, SF will be giving Chicago a good run for its money in what it can offer downtown...something I don't see in-land downtown LA ever accomplishing. So much are the City-by-the-Bay and the City-by-the-Lake kindred souls, joined by urbanity, density, forging true great cities away from the Atlantic, current forgers of the good life, etc. ? How does Chicago relate to San Francisco?>

Chicago Snowy Commute Home 12-08-05

Starting from the Boeing BuildingÂ…Randolph side. See the Merchandise Mart lights in the back ground: Over the Chicago River looking East (Washington Street Bridge) Wacker Looking South Blurry, but LaSalle looking North at the traffic. Tonight it was taking 3 hours to drive in from OÂ'Hare, 17 miles away. Western Avenue Brownline and Lincoln Square followed by 5400 N. Western and home Fantastic Thai at Rosded (on Leland across from the brownline el station at Western) Leland coming from Western and turning right looking down Lincoln Finally a block from home 5400ish N. Western Stairs up to our house >