questions about relocating to chicago

hey um, I'm not even so sure how to start this post off, but lately i've been thinking of relocating from new york...the places I had on my mind where miami, atlanta or raleigh/durham, but I've been giving chicago alot of thought. New york has always had alot to offer, but i've been here my whole life and I feel I need to be somewhere else for awhile. i'm close to getting my teaching certification, but i'm unsure if I'll start my masters out here, or somehwere else...and i'm just curious to hear from some people who have relocated to chicago>

Should we be worried about United's HQ move?

I would like to discuss this in a separate thread, because if United actually leaves the Chicago area it would be devastating to the local economy/clout, etc. United has contacted officials in Denver and San Francisco about possible HQ locations and is actually looking at properties in their respective cities, so without a doubt this is more than just a simple ploy to milk a deal out of Chicago & Illinois. But losing United would be a tremendous loss, in my mind. How likely do you guys think it is that United will stay in Chicago and move downtown vs. moving somewhere else? Chicago has a lot working towards its advantage--a city/state that is capable of making GREAT deals to retain headquarters; the location of United's biggest hub; most United executives are firmly rooted in the area; a recent letter by Sen. Dick Durbin to Glenn Tilton urging him to stay (reminding him how he went to bat for him during the bankrupcy) and so on. However, San Fran is the hub of United's expanding Asia operations, plus Glen Tilton is from the Bay Area. Any thoughts?>

Oberweis running for Governor. Bye-bye Chicago?

Sure, even though Blagojevich failed to represent (since he is supposedly a Chicago democrat), I think I'd still rather have 4 more years of him than this clown. Perhaps Oberweis would bring business to the area, but he'd likely bring it all to the goddamn suburbs, where his own company is located. Not to mention that he probably doesn't give 2 shits about transit: Oberweis says he's running for governor By Don Babwin The Associated Press Published April 14, 2005, 3:32 PM CDT Conservative businessman James Oberweis, who twice lost Republican primaries for the U.S. Senate, announced Thursday he is running for governor. Speaking in downtown Chicago, Oberweis -- the owner of an Aurora dairy -- said he would work to make the state much more pro-business than it is today to attract companies and jobs. He said the economy could improve and jobs be created by reducing taxes for both families and businesses. He drew a sharp contrast between his ideas for attracting companies and workers to the state and those of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, whom he said ``looks at business as though it is a cow to be milked for more and more taxes.'' During last year's Senate race, Republican leaders passed over Oberweis, 58, when Republican nominee Jack Ryan dropped out amid a sex scandal. Instead, they imported conservative commentator Alan Keyes from Maryland, who lost in a landslide to Democrat Barack Obama. "The state central committee, when given the opportunity, did not follow the wishes of the voters,'' said Oberweis, referencing that he came in second in the primary to Ryan. Oberweis is the first Republican to officially declare his candidacy. Others have indicated they are considering a run, including State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, who said last month she is talking to state and national Republican leaders, raising money and polling voters in preparation for a possible candidacy. Oberweis offered something of an apology for a widely criticized television commercial that ran during his last Senate campaign in which he talked about immigrants taking American jobs. "I think the commercial was too harsh and didn't communicate our position well,'' he said of the spot in which he was seen in a helicopter flying over Soldier Field, saying enough illegal immigrants were arriving in the country to fill the stadium every week. "Many people took the commercial to understand ... that I am somehow opposed to immigration,'' he said. "I'm not. I'm opposed to illegal immigration.'' He said he has spent the last year talking to people, including Hispanic leaders, to clarify his position. Oberweis is a millionaire who in addition to being chairman of the family dairy, founded a number of financial services companies. He spent $3.01 million of his own money in his losing bid in the Senate primary. He said he would again be spending his own money on the gubernatorial campaign, but declined to estimate how much. Besides Topinka, other Republicans who have said they are considering running for governor are DuPage County State's Atty. Joe Birkett, state Sen. Bill Brady, former State Board of Education chairman Ron Gidwitz and U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood of Peoria. State Sen. Sen. Steve Rauschenberger of Elgin is another potential candidate. Oberweis indicated he was most concerned about Topinka. "If there are three or four conservative males and one liberal female, that gives some advantage to the liberal female,'' he said.>

Was Chicago Where Hill Steet Blues was Filmed

I was just flicking through the satelite tv and I came across an Old Episode of Hill Street Blues, and I was wondering which city it was set in. The police cars, uniforms and some of the scenes look like Chicago. Does any one know more about this and which locations were used >

museum idea: give me feedback

I have an idea for a Chicago museum and wonder what you guys think: New York has its Ellis Island Museum. How very appropriate. New York was the gateway to America (Ellis Island in particular), so what better place to document that immigrant experience. New York took on this role as the major east coast city, looking outward to the Atlantic. No US city has served as long as New York as where America looks out to the world. Chicago, on the other hand, is the definitive American city. Of all our great cities (except for DC), it alone was more a product of a growing US than of European ambitions. So why not honor our role as the most American of American cities (as NY honors it as the entrance point of immigration and St. Louis uses an arch to commemorate the gateway to the west) with a truly American institution: THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF CHICAGO This museum would have wings dedicated to all aspects of US life: history, culture, government, topography/geography, peoples, patriotism, contributions to the world, and other such topics. So many of Chicago's great museums are located along or near the lakefront. Spectacular those this setting is, it has caused a building overload in a place that should be kept green and open. Therefore, I would place my museum (suggestion, that is) on the RIVERFRONT, not the lakefront (perhaps somewhere south of the Loop). It would provide just the type of spark the riverfront needs to accelerate its transformation into one of the world's great waterfronts. Is there some duplication here with some of the museums in the Smithsonian? Sure, but Chicago's museum would be unique in its mission to present "all things Americana". And besides, nobody talked about duplication when Baltimore added its magnificent aquarium to a national scene of many aquariums. It became a huge tourist attraction and didn't prevent Atlanta from upping the ante with its brand new aquarium. I really believe The American Museum of Chicago could be a real winner!>

If Chicago == NY, then who are Milwaukee, and Indy

Ok this thread is on a silly topic but I wonder what you guys think of this fanciful comparison. Chicago is obviously the dominant player in the Midwest by far, to our north about 90 miles is our smaller brother Milwaukee, and to our south (180 miles or so) our fair sister Indy. Now NY is the unquestioned 800-lb gorilla of the east coast, 200 miles to its north is its bratty brother boston, some 90 miles to its south is the fairest red-headed step child of major metros philly. In relation to Chicago what role do Milwaukee and Indy play ....who is Boston , who is Indy Come on try it just for shits and giggles>

The ultimate Chicago poll

I can't believe this hasn't been done yet. What is the best pizza in Chicago>