The Park District released a 20-30 year plan yesterdayto transform Northerly Island into a nature preserve, complete with an outdoor hiking shelter, man-made reefs for snorkelers and divers, and a green outdoor concert pavilion to replace Charter One Pavilion. more ›

Claiming he'll reopen Meigs Field on Day One in office and bring a riverboat casino to the city, State Sen, Rickey Hendon has announced he's running for Mayor, adding yet another name to a growing list of candidates. The best part of his announcement, though, comes from Fox: more ›

CBS 2's Mike Flannery recently received a little one-on-one time with Mayor Daley when he interviewed the mayor while riding along in his town car. The crux of the interview was about the future of Northerly Island and if a casino would be built there, to which Daley replied, "It's strictly a park, always will be; because it belongs to the people." He also reiterated comments from his verbal spat with Han Solo last week, saying that he's "very proud" of his decision to bulldoze Meigs Field to create Northerly Island and that it was all part of the Burnham Plan. When asked if he felt it was one of his major accomplishments, Daley responded, "No. No, I think the schools are." more ›

Mayor Daley likes to play the feud and now he's got one going full-steam with Han Solo himself, Harrison Ford. Why? Meigs Field. Harrison fired first (hear that, George Lucas?) when he talked to Sun-Times columnist Bill Zwecker - promoting a new film - and expressed continued anger at the infamous bulldozing of Meigs Field, saying he was, "furious. I don't think I've been as angry about anything in a long time." Ford, who grew up in the Chicagoland area, is a pilot in his spare time and didn't take kindly to Daley's actions: "I'm still livid about it.'' more ›

Northerly Island - home to 12th Street Beach, a temporary Charter One Pavilion, the Adler Planetarium and the vacant remains of Meigs Field - needs a makeover, according to the Chicago Park District. The man-made island would have temporarily housed a 20,000 seat Olympic beach volleyball stadium along with a canoe and kayak slalom course, but we all know how that panned out. Tonight, Chicagoans will get a chance to hear ideas and provide feedback to the Chicago Park District on the fate of the island. more ›

We don't enjoy starting our mornings by having a downright hissy fit, but reading the Sun-Times story on Mayor Daley's planned speech in which he'll allegedly admit he made a mistake with the infamous parking meter deal is throwing us into a hulk-out rage. Know why? Well, for starters: more ›

Google recently announced new capabilities for Google Earth that will change the way you look at Chicago. Michael T. Jones, chief technology advocate for Google, was in town this week so we sat down with him to check out some of the new tricks they created, and what Chicagoans can look for now. Besides roving the land, you can now also cruise water, space, and even time. more ›

Preservation Chicago unveiled today their annual list of the "Chicago 7," the seven most endangered buildings of the city. They are: more ›

Working Mother magazine's annual Top 100 companies for, yes, working mothers includes eight Illinois businesses. Speaking of working mothers, congratulations to Lisa Madigan and her husband Pat, who are expecting their second child. more ›

Last week, the Illinois Restaurant Association named Sheila O'Grady as its new president. Her first order of business will be working to get the foie gras ban repealed. The press release announcing O'Grady's appointment said that "she brings an incredible depth of knowledge and experience to the position at a very dynamic time in the restaurant industry." Much of that experience is in City Hall. O'Grady is a former chief-of staff for Mayor Daley and... more ›

Howdy little doggies, the Roundup got in late yesterday as our wagontrain kept crashing. But not to worry, we're here with the best of the rest this week. Let's all snuggle up around the Firefox while yer Uncle Chicagoist tells y'all a story! Lynn Sweet is practically a political blogger, hopping on whatever Obama bandwagon is coming along at the moment. Flogging Obama's "drug use" is sure to be something that the bottom-feeder columnists will... more ›

Sure, this city's sports scene is all Bears, all the time right now, but Chicagoist can find a way to make you care about the World Series. As Tommy Lasorda has been telling that poor Cubs fan up in the tree "since his team was eliminated from the postseason" in those playoff promos (they should have done some fact-checking on that one though--what, he's been up there since May?), it doesn't matter who's in the... more ›

Yesterday, Gothamist provided Chicagoist with frequent updates on the tragic accident that killed Yankee pitcher Cory Lidle, and his certified flight instructor, Tyler Stranger. Surely everyone's stomach churned when we first heard the news that a plane had crashed into a building in NYC, and memories of September 11 shot to our minds. But not long after the accident, it was apparent this was thankfully no more than a general aviation accident. more ›

Chicagoist grew up in a “wooded area” where birds crashing into giant glass windows was a regular occurrence. Unfortunately, for most of these birds, the blow would often mark the end of their little worm-eatin’ lives. But in the city, the future of crash-and-burn birds is looking a little better, as many can now receive a second chance on life at the bird hospital in the old Meigs Field terminal on Northerly Island. more ›

Mayor Daley must long for the halcyon days of 2003. Back then, he didn’t have to exert himself by exercising a veto, he just got the City Council to do what he wanted with a wave of his hand. And when he wanted to close an airport, he just sent a coupla guys out ‘dere to bulldoze the t’ing. But this is 2006. And not only does he have vetos to levy and Jesse Jackson Jr. on his ass about it, but he’s also got a hefty fine to pay. more ›

Back in September, the city got approval from the FAA for a $15 billion project to add runways and reconfigure existing runways in an effort to reduce flight delays. With hardly enough time to go out and buy a new shovel to start the digging, the US Court of Appeals came in and ordered a halt to allow time to consider objections from those opposed to the expansion. Seriously, they came in the SAME day... more ›

Try to imagine if you will a Chicago without any Irish-themed bars. more ›

Officials from the Chicago Park District said today that Clear Channel will win a contract to build a 10,000 seat music venue on Meigs Field. So celebrate people! Just think, we'll get at least one more Nickelback concert per year! And can visits from the edgy teen diva of the moment be far behind? And, uhm, seriously, start celebrating. Those armed men in the Clear Channel uniforms waving the "We Own Everything!" flags aren't fucking around. more ›