Park District Says Yes To Children's Museum

By Margaret Lyons in News on Apr 10, 2008 6:43PM

The Park District announced yesterday that it approved the Daley-endorsed plan to move the Chicago Children's Museum to Grant Park. The proposal goes in front of the Planning Commission probably in May and in front of the City Council most likely in June. The meeting yesterday also confirmed that the naming rights to the museum will still be going to Allstate.

The Planning Commission is pretty much set to endorse the plan, but the City Council vote is a little less certain. Alderman Brendan Reilly, the plan's chief opponent, says about six aldermen have changed their minds and decided to join his side in the last few days.

Beyond the actual museum plans, though, there's also the issue of aldermanic perogative. From the Sun-Times:

Although the City Council has a longstanding tradition of siding with the local alderman on zoning and development issues, Finance Committee Chairman Edward M. Burke (14th) sided with Daley.

"Aldermanic privilege is one thing at 47th and Archer. It's a helluva lot different at Grant Park," Burke said.

Hm. [CBS 2, Chicago Journal, Trib, ABC 7, ChiTown Daily News, Sun-Times]