Downtown Chicago is nearly empty. Pictures Show it. – Wirepoints Quickpoint

By: Mark Glennon*

“Have you been downtown lately? It’s nearly empty.”

Canal Street

We hear comments like that more and more often from alarmed readers in the Chicago area. We see it, too, and it’s worsening. So we’re putting up a few pictures for those who haven’t visited lately, and adding the perspective of one downtown restaurant owner.

We took the pictures downtown on Thursday between 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM.

Things seemed to be improving a bit over the summer, but no longer.

Is it COVID, crime or the new trend to remote working? The recent surge in COVID began in the first week in July, and that’s undoubtedly a major cause. The trend toward remote work is real and may be permanent. But crime seems to be increasingly on people’s minds.

I checked in with somebody who is a kind of real time barometer of downtown activity. That’s Jesse Boyle, who owns two restaurants in the Ogilvie Transportation Center – Station Restaurant and Bar and Vinny’s Pizza Bar. Ogilvie is the primary commuter train station in downtown Chicago, so Boyle has a pretty good feel of the pulse of downtown activity.

Adams Street

“In the spring and summer I was anticipating things to really come back after Labor Day,” Boyle told me. “I was hearing a lot of companies were scheduling their employee returns for the fall, and my group was excited to get closer to normal,” he says.

And he had put his money where his hopes were, completing major renovations.

“But there are two things that have converged,” Boyle says, that have set things back. “One is that the Delta variant has taken away a lot of that early enthusiasm for work gatherings and people getting reacquainted.”

“A very close second” is crime, as Boyle sees it. “Overall crime is up again, and the stories we’re hearing and reading about suggest that downtown is not as safe as it used to be.

It’s confluence of those causes, and whatever else has drained people from downtown, that’s most deadly. You can feel it, and it feeds on itself.

“It’s a ghost town feeling that you have just walking down any downtown street,” as Boyle puts it. “It makes you a little uneasy, and it’s kind of shocking to me that we continue to see this for such an extended period. The offices are empty, and the energy is gone.”

Boyle went on:

It wasn’t like that prior to last year, and I’m hopeful that our city government pulls it together and helps us fix this. I’ve seen a sales dip from July to August, which is unusual.  Things in September continue to be flat or down from August.

Just having more people around downtown will make all of us feel better, but at this point I have no sense of direction on when that will happen.  As a business owner this is very dispiriting and depressing.

Our hearts are out to Boyle, his employees and all the others like them, in downtown Chicago and all places suffering like it.

This cannot go on. Chicago as we’ve known will not survive with as few people downtown as there are. And Illinois cannot survive without Chicago.

*Mark Glennon is founder of Wirepoints. This column was updated to include remote working as an additional cause.

State Street
Jackson Street
198 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
shoreline view
2 years ago

Centrist Democrats and Republicans were reckless with city and state finances in the 1990s, breaking a long run of more or less balanced budgets and making pension promises without funding them and doubling down on this until they became truly impossible to fulfill. The centrists still refuse to take responsibility, while liberal Democrats don’t seem to have the organizational nous to put forward an alternative and conservative Republicans seem to think pining for the 1950s is a solution. Nobody is offering a coherent answer. Do you really want to leave it to the bond markets and the gang bangers to… Read more »

Joan
2 years ago

Born & raised Chicago, starting in 1938. Disappointed in majority of responses. Lack knowledge and experience it appears is their problem, just emotionalism. Chicago was a Christian/Catholic city/area. Its gone. We saw it coming, protested and worked to stop its downfall. Biggest failure was loss of basic spiritual culture. I was involved in basic pro-life movement, which fought against the takeover of the Catholic Churches, those remaining became liberal The churches failed, they killed God. our political leader was Henry Hyde, my Rep., who lead Congress to save life and bore the brunt of attacks for it. At a CC… Read more »

Wm G
2 years ago

I lived on the far South Side of Chicago for the first sixty-five years of my life. I used to go to the Loop several times a month. I had memberships to all the museums. I ate lunch at the Burgoff at least one Saturday a month. Went to uni at De Paul, in the Loop. But the parking rates kept me away from Downtown and the lakefront starting about fifteen years ago, and the BLW riots in Summer ’20 was the end. I was trapped in my house an entire weekend as they tore up and burned 95th street… Read more »

John
2 years ago

Lived in Chicago and burbs all 74 years of my life. Loved the city most of that time. Great people too, at least the vast majority of them. It is a shame that we have allowed a small percentage of the population to cause so much trouble. I really wish we could fix it, but I confess, I do not see it happening. We see the same failed plans played out over and over again. Insanity is repeating the same actions over and over while expecting a different outcome. As Pogo said, "We has met the enemy, and he is… Read more »

debtsor
2 years ago
Reply to  John

Small percentage of the population? Biden had 74.22% of Cook County’s vote!!!
These people are getting EXACTLY what they voted for!

Manfred Downstate
2 years ago

“In pre-pandemic 2019, Metra carried 74 million passengers system-wide. Last year it was only 18.6 million. On the UP North line through Evanston, the most recent monthly count of 217,520 rides taken in August more than doubled from just 92,450 in August last year. But that’s still less than a third of pre-pandemic ridership in August 2019 of 760,506.” (From your 09/25/21 story “Judge says railroad can drop Evanston commuter service – Evanston Now.”) No wonder your lead photo shows only a handful of people out on Canal St. in front of the Ogilvie Transportation Center/Metra UP station. If UP… Read more »

Don’t care
2 years ago

So….less polluting….less people….easier to move around and get to where you need to go…..what’s the problem

Aaron
2 years ago
Reply to  Don’t care

The problem is Chicago can’t afford to buy votes without all the tax revenue from plebs going to the city to work, eat, shop, etc

Wm G
2 years ago
Reply to  Don’t care

Are you realy that stupid, or are just another self-centered libtard. Whatever it is, it’s bad and it’s sad. YOU, I mean, The City is just plain over. Lori finally killed it.

Thomas Kaye
2 years ago
Reply to  Don’t care

Won’t be anywhere to go if everything is closed due to lack of business.

Stevet
2 years ago

I wont go unless i have to….blm riots, gangs, crime high , crazy taxes …there is a rot coming from chicago and it stinks…..just another blue beautiful city destroyed by demorats….i will stay in Naperville suburbs…. thank you.

Last edited 2 years ago by Stevet
debtsor
2 years ago
Reply to  Stevet

Have you seen what has happened to Naperville? The entire community and county has gone deep deep blue, nearly as blue as the North Shore or the inner city, with Biden wining every precinct in Naperville by 25 or or even 40 to 50 points. Naperville is already declining, it is unfixable. It’s only a matter of time before the Democrat morons running naperville start reparations, get rid of single family zoning, encourage low income housing, groom children in the schools, and spend your tax dollars on every progressive far-fetched idea.

Naperville is a blue city being destroyed by Democrats.

Last edited 2 years ago by debtsor
Stevet
2 years ago
Reply to  debtsor

No arguments there a lot of the blue is red folks fleeing and voting redistricting…but its still safe and excellent schools still better than chicago

debtsor
2 years ago
Reply to  Stevet

Democrats ruin cities in many different ways, from high crimes & urban decay in the cities, and in the suburbs, they wreck towns progressive anti-family values, destructive virtue signaling, and they generally make them authoritarian and repressive places to live. Naperville is full of HATE HAS A HOME HERE signs, any suburban community that votes Biden plus +25 is full of them. That alone, having to live with stuffy arrogant Biden voting scum is reason enough not to live in Naperville. It used to be a great Red community, of the best palces in america to live, and now its… Read more »

Don’t care
2 years ago
Reply to  debtsor

And….it’s what the people living there are voting for….what’s the problem. If you don’t like it then leave….right. Just remember you get the government all the dead people vote for.

DT4Life
2 years ago
Reply to  debtsor

Better than having a fascist neo-nazi regime of Trumplican Tards.

Last edited 2 years ago by DT4Life
Sandra
2 years ago
Reply to  DT4Life

Oh do enjoy your good life under communist poopy pants regime, we are so sorry you are offended libtard snowflake, your response shows the depth and level which you tards function on, O functioning 🧠, washed by their TV’s, and useful idiot social justice causes. The communist party welcomes you into their 3 Rd world country, they are 😂 their asses off at stupid Americans that were so easy to indoctrinate into their Marxist propoganda hate Agenda.

hockeyfan5
2 years ago
Reply to  Stevet

And you think Naperville is immune from violence? BLM signs everywhere, CRT in the schools, Naperville has become a liberal stronghold. After 31 years, it’s not the community I moved for. Can’t wait to get out.

DT4Life
2 years ago
Reply to  Stevet

Please do

BB
2 years ago

Chicago is done! It will die a slow death…
Cause crime, taxes, schools, corruption all with democratic blessing!
Peeps have enough!
Lori and JB trying to take buisness from TX! LOL

David
2 years ago

No concealed carry on public transportation, nope not going.

DT4Life
2 years ago
Reply to  David

Good, please don’t come downtown with your gun (psycho).

The True Believer
2 years ago
Reply to  DT4Life

You are a totally out of touch loser.

DT4Life
2 years ago

I’m out of touch?
You live in a trailer with your cousin-wife.
Don’t spawn. Don’t come downtown.

Sandra
2 years ago
Reply to  DT4Life

Libtards always cry about guns until they need one, first ones to whine like lil bitches when cornered or attacked, wishing someone with a gun will come and save them.No one wants to go to Shitcago, soon to be Detroit and a third world country with all the illegals shipped there, ENJOY!!!!

Future Bob
2 years ago

I can’t say I’m heart broken because cities are degenerate heaps of excrement of our rotten society. That being said though, I also think all this is deliberate for high level objectives; be it the intentional weakening of our country and the centers of activity that cities are, regardless of how degenerate and rotten that activity Is, or the attempt to bring about a full economic collapse when the dominos of real estate values and unserviced debts collapses in on itself, which will allow the likes of China and or through their communist puppets in the tech industry that is… Read more »

DT4Life
2 years ago
Reply to  Future Bob

Please don’t come.

Richard
2 years ago

I blame this decline on that racist/communist mayor Lightfoot. She coddles criminals and pulled police resources from downtown to give to the violent ghetto areas on the south and west sides. Downtown won’t come back until she is voted out!

Future Bob
2 years ago
Reply to  Richard

That toad is just a symptom though. This has all been set up long ago, putting that toad in position is just a par and setting of conditions ahead of time. It’s like if you were to place subversive agents/spies into a society or military before you wanted to engage in hostilities with them so that they could not only provide information ahead of time (spies), but also then be in trusted positions when the day comes that you wanted to engage those hostilities so that they could compromise the enemy from within on several ways. That has happened in… Read more »

Marie
2 years ago

I used to go to Chicago to shop, visit and sightsee. I don’t anymore. It’s not because I can’t it’s because I won’t. I have no desire to subject myself to or spend my money in what has become a hell hole. Chicago has absolutely nothing to offer anyone anymore.

Richard
2 years ago
Reply to  Marie

Same here. Not worth the risk being mugged by a bunch of thugs.

Rick
2 years ago
Reply to  Marie

As a women at least you have merchandise there you might want. But Chicago stores literally have nothing to offer men, its all clothes, jewelry, perfumes, shoes, ick! I need a sharper image, a stereo store, a big used record shop, a few pawn shops, a home depot, some specialty hobby shops, a high-end tool seller, etc. you know cool men-shopper stuff. The crime keeps me away too. But most of all mandates of any kind keep me away on principle alone.

Last edited 2 years ago by Rick
Jimbo
2 years ago

And this article should mention the 6MPH speed light cameras. Also why I don’t go into the city

Frank
2 years ago
Reply to  Jimbo

You’re right about that. Visit the city… pay $32 to park, then get a bonus $100 surprise ticket in the mail 2 weeks later. No thanks…

Charles
2 years ago

Wow so sad to see it come to this. Chicago has to make a comeback. We are a great city. My heart aches.

Blah blah
2 years ago

“Illinois will not survive without Chicago”

Put off the crack. Illinois will thrive without Chicago. Heck, Cook County will be better off without the city.

RePete
2 years ago
Reply to  Blah blah

Chicago would starve and freeze without the rest of the state.

James
2 years ago
Reply to  RePete

Its likely the reverse is also true.

DT4Life
2 years ago
Reply to  Blah blah

You must huff gas and eat paint chips in a corn field

Jimbo
2 years ago

Lived near here my whole life went downtown months ago literally I was shocked at the amount of empty and boarded up stores. This article doesn’t capture how many vacancies there are

Kevin McNulty
2 years ago

I agree that things have thinned out downtown but seriously…Jackson and underneath a construction platform on state? Show me River North or LaSalle Street, perhaps. I don’t doubt the premise but photo choices could be more convincing.

The True Believer
2 years ago
Reply to  Kevin McNulty

Lori apologist

DT4Life
2 years ago

Everything has to be politicized these days amongst the hillbillies these days…

Janine
2 years ago

I’m a life-long Northern Indiana resident. Please don’t move here unless you plan to vote using your brain. We aren’t in cahoots with unions, our state is fiscally responsible, and we don’t want our conservative values and way of life ruined. Stay in Illinois if you’re going to continue voting the way that ruined your own state! We’ll appreciate it.

Jimbo
2 years ago
Reply to  Janine

Oh yea let’s move to Gary Indiana Lol. IN is the worst state in America next to NJ

Bern
2 years ago
Reply to  Jimbo

Gary is not all of IN. Just was in downtown Indy and it was hopping at 8:30 PM’ Housing is great. Taxes low. State is well run and in the black unlike IL.

Dale
2 years ago
Reply to  Janine

I will be moving to Indiana soon and I agree with your statement. I have family members who plan to move there and they are diehard liberals who will vote as they do now. It pisses me off to no end!!!!

DT4Life
2 years ago
Reply to  Janine

You couldn’t pay me $1M to move to NWI (which goes really far in that shit hole).
Try keeping your guns in-state.

Joe
2 years ago

Nothing in Chicago that I can’t get in burbs. Keep it.

DT4Life
2 years ago
Reply to  Joe

See ya,. wouldn’t want to be ya.

Mary Sherfinski
2 years ago

I think it is the lack of police and the rise in crime..

streeterville
2 years ago

I suspect our 3rd-world caliber airports (Midway AND O’Hare) are last anchor keeping many businesses still chained to their Chicago locations rather than some bucolic small city-urb. If Chicago wasn’t a hub for international business travel, the death knell would already have rung.

Downtown is a DISASTER. Read CWB blog, and note the DAILY shoplifter-gangs looting the few high-end retailers still remaining on Michigan-Oak-Rush retail corridor. Tourism destroyed, and the hotels now overrun with gangbanger parties and nightly fights, shoot-outs, drunks, twerkers, et al. The few tourists still wandering around are lambs for the slaughter.

The good times are OVER.

Fur
2 years ago
Reply to  streeterville

Did a job on oak street recently. A flash rap stream/video went up around Jimmy Choo. Blocked the whole sidewalk. Manager standing outside door the of Coopers Hawk was starring in disbelief. The look on the responding PO face had me thinking…This shit again??
I suspect this type of behavior is tied to the looting. Oh the things i see down here…

Rick
2 years ago

I wont be going anywhere in Chicago until there are no more mask mandates, and on principle alone I wont go while there are vaccine mandates anywhere. It was funny I heard the highly vaccinated gals on the View tested positive for Covid, making them contagious. So a healthy unvaccinated person is just as well off, even better because they still have a chance to gain natural immunity!

DT4Life
2 years ago
Reply to  Rick

Even if you make it through COVID without croaking, please don’t leave your unvaccinated trailer.

DT4Life
2 years ago
Reply to  Mark Glennon

I have. Whiny Trumpee fascists should move to Naperville and complain about it, but please don’t come to Chicago. We don’t need whiny maskless fools.

debtsor
2 years ago
Reply to  DT4Life

Masks don’t work dude! FoLLoW tHe sCiEnCe! You’d be better off sacrificing to Saxnot to avoid the disease than wearing a mask!

Rick
2 years ago
Reply to  DT4Life

If you had any engineering skills, ever made anything with your hands, even if that was just a bird house in Cub Scouts. You’d ask questions. What about all that air sucking in and out around your nose where no mask can seal up? What about a man with a beard where all the air literally filters in and out the beard and not through the mask because that path has less impedance? What about the fact that the micron size of a virus is 5 times smaller than the micron capture rating of masks? What about mask slippage everywhere?… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Rick
DT4LIFE
2 years ago
Reply to  Rick

Please don’t come to Chicago. Natural immunity could only be better than a Vaccine if you aren’t dead or killing others spreading disease that you could have better prevented the spread of by doing your part for civilization and getting backed. Your anti-masker nonsense couched as engineering is a bunch of hillbilly hogwash. Science has repeatedly shown masks are helpful, but not 100% effective and just a part of the precautions we can take to mitigate spread. Chicago is dense and people in close proximity to one another should respect others and mask up. Stay away from the City of… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by DT4LIFE
Sandra
2 years ago
Reply to  DT4LIFE

Poopy pants Libtard, nobody cares..

Sandra
2 years ago
Reply to  DT4Life

Let me guess you wore your mask in the car when you’re all by yourself., 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡Your a clown tard too

Sandra
2 years ago
Reply to  Mark Glennon

You truly are a Libtard, go back to your s cation 8 housing

Tired
2 years ago

Maybe less affordable housing and welfare payments, and start trying to attract people who can afford, contribute, and don’t need welfare? Require minimum lot sizes, off-street parking and ability to pay for their residency in the city

nixit
2 years ago

It seems like only yesterday when CTU recommended Chicago implement a commuter income tax. Here was their rationale: “Suburban residents benefit from the urban core’s global influence, as well as the income opportunities provided by employers based in the city.” Their utter pomposity and disdain for suburban dwellers is palpable.

Dale
2 years ago
Reply to  nixit

That ship has passed. Between COVID, crime and the crappy politics, nobody wants to go into the city unless they absolutely must. City is soon to be dead!

Richard P. Conklin
2 years ago

Mark, I just sent you 14 photos from around my office at One South Wacker. It will confirm everything you’ve written, and that what our leaders and press will not acknowledge – the Loop is dead. Not dying. Dead.

Ivermectin
2 years ago

mission accomplished, lori is a terrorist working for blackrock and vanguard to destroy chicago and buy it back on the cheap. They are using the trillions stolen from us over decades to purchase all property and rent it out to us slaves promising “we will own nothing and be happy”.

James L Campbell
2 years ago

Seriously you don’t know the difference between jabbed and unjabbed. If you don’t understand the difference you will be waiting a long time. There are probably lots of reasons why someone doesn’t want to get vacinated but it seems to me that everything else put aside we would all be safer if everyone was vacinated I don’t understand why so many people resist this simple action I’ve been to Chicago several times since my son moved there in July It seems like a fine place to me. I Think everyone knows crime is terrible there but it’s been like that… Read more »

Adam
2 years ago

The local sports radio station has a phrase for people like you

“Out of town stupid”

Dale
2 years ago

Wow! Chicago is “a fine place”. I hope your son is a bit more aware of the crime issues or he’s going to get hurt, or worse!

Aaron
2 years ago

Ok, Lori.

DT4Life
2 years ago

Please don’t inform hillbilly retards of their disinformation as we don’t need them in Chicago.

Sandra
2 years ago
Reply to  DT4Life

Please go out and get a few more booster shots, somebody want a guy I think you’re next in line.

Sandra
2 years ago

It’s called the VAERS REPORT, Covidiots need to read the master Controlling Govt website that told them to get the injection, 18k dead from MRNA gene therapy experimental injections. It only reports one to 10% tops. severely underreported. Hundreds of thousands of adverse reactions life threatening debilitating, myocarditis in
children, heart attack strokes. Neurological disorders. Spiked protein is a killer we call it the clot shot. Go get educated and do some research before you tell people to take something they don’t want in their body because they’ve done their research.

Wilmette
2 years ago

If anyone thinks this doesn’t factor into the Bears departing for the burbs, they are nuts.

D Mac
2 years ago
Reply to  Wilmette

Near Nortwest suburbanites property values will skyrocket. Those that need to live in city “far Northwest side 41 st ward will live stones throw to great amenities like future Chicago Bears Arlington Heights location and fashion outlet.

Wilmette
2 years ago

The downvote campaign today is quite humorous.

Platinum Goose
2 years ago
Reply to  Mark Glennon

There’s something wrong with the website, I tried to upvote and it registered as a downvote.

Blah blah
2 years ago
Reply to  Platinum Goose

Probably it is run by Dominion Voting Systems.

Clown world
2 years ago
Reply to  Mark Glennon

It’s probably just one Karen clearing her cookies and re-voting. You know Chicago, vote early and often!

Rick
2 years ago
Reply to  Clown world

Clearing cache to double vote doesn’t work with this site. Apparently it is going by source IP to distinctly count votes. So if your computer doesn’t have a fixed IP and you reboot your router, you might get assigned a different IP, then you might vote twice. But thats too much work for hackers downvoting.

Road Kill Cafe
2 years ago
Reply to  Mark Glennon

Trolls hide under bridges and downvote on paid time.

Last edited 2 years ago by Road Kill Cafe
Platinum Goose
2 years ago

My building has 12 fast food restaurants. 6 are closed 3 of them permanently. The other six are still hanging in there, three people in line at noon, I’m guessing they’re corporate and can’t file bankruptcy or get out of their lease or have a no dark clause.

Our building population was 5,500 people a day with 300 visitors (sales people) a day. It’s now less than 500 a day with hardly any visitors. Based on that the central business district is probably collecting 10% of the sales tax compared to pre covid.

anna
2 years ago
Reply to  Platinum Goose

prepare for a MedMen weed shop to open in your building soon- that will bring in a new tax base- as well as a colorful group of new visitors…

Last edited 2 years ago by anna
Wilmette
2 years ago

I can agree with this assessment, working this whole time in our office a block from Ogilvie 2-4 days a week.

One bizarre observation I have is that traffic downtown (I both drive and Metra) is pretty bad. I cannot understand where people are going if they aren’t going into the loop.

Clown world
2 years ago
Reply to  Wilmette

People don’t want to take CTA or Metra any longer. Imagine that. When you 1) condition people to irrationally fear their fellow man 2) make the journey more unpleasant by creating worthless mask mandates and 3) throw on top the real (not imaginary) threat of physical violence/assualt from an increasingly brazen criminal element, you get the result you see around you in Chicago.

GM
2 years ago
Reply to  Clown world

I live in Evanston, commute twice a week to my gig in Ravenswood, Purple Line Express from Davis to Belmont, then Brown Line up to Montrose. Should be a breeze, and safe, no? Used to be, but not now, even the Purple Line Express has too many human cockroaches for my comfort. I’ve seen three bowel movements in the elevators, drugged – up crazies at all times, and other nasty crap. And the three times I’ve had to take the Red Line are unspeakable, much worse than even before the pandemic, which I though would *not* be possible, lol! Am… Read more »

Jimbo
2 years ago
Reply to  GM

Taking the red and purple line from Evanston is unbearable? This guys trolling right. Who can afford to live in Evanston anyway

Laura Robles
2 years ago
Reply to  Clown world

I have just left the city after a 5day visit. Used Metra Ogilvie to Wheaton and back. Used Damen & Milwaukee Ave. buses a few times. Two-thirds to 3/4full. Never went to Ogilvie before so can’t comment too much other than that the escalators and overpass were packed with people. Spent time in Roscoe Village on Sunday Wednesday Thursday Friday everybody was out walking their kids their dogs. Starbucks had folks flying in and out. Also lots of people out and about in River North, Wicker Park, even Park Ridge. Native Chicagoan 43 years on the Northside, never did have… Read more »

UmpRef87
2 years ago

Chicago gets exactly what it deserves for the way it votes. I am not sorry for them.

Riverbender
2 years ago
Reply to  UmpRef87

I agree

NoHope4Ilinois
2 years ago

Surprised the Bears haven’t looked at Austin. Could play at Memorial (comfortably seats +90,000) till new stadium is finished.

Madge
2 years ago

As a Chicagoan I can say that the areas like Lakeview, Lincoln Park and northwest parts of the city are surely active and happy and fine. You’re photographing one dull area of office buildings and saying that reps the city. It does not. I appreciate the effort, I really do, but try again. Walk about and explore. We are fine here and the news is portraying hell. It’s your job I understand… but well…forgive me while I rep chi and get it straight. Forty years here after living in San Francisco and traveling the world and I can say Chicago… Read more »

Clown world
2 years ago
Reply to  Mark Glennon

A great may like her will continue to whistle past the graveyard.

Sandra
2 years ago
Reply to  Mark Glennon

How bout that cop who got shot in the face during the day in Lincoln Park called to a crime scene, not safe, complete disrespect and disdain for Police, I’m truly surprised the Police just don’t stop guarding the racist beetle bitches house, one of the nastiest women on the Planet besides Nancy and Kamalaho.

Jay Fled
2 years ago
Reply to  Madge

This story was not about Lakeview or Lincoln Park, where there is a large amount of college students and residences, of course there are people there. This is about downtown, a place where thousands of people used to come on a daily basis to work and for entertainment. Due to the current regime’s blind eye on the savage just “funnin” with the people who used to come there by taking their cars and valuables, coupled with the insistence by the workforce to work remotely to avoid getting robbed and beaten, downtown is just a shell of what it once was… Read more »

debtsor
2 years ago
Reply to  Jay Fled

The downtown population used to swell to something like 1,000,000 people or more every weekday. It’s a pretty big deal when it’s at 1/3rd occupancy for 18 months now. Downtown is arguably the most important area of Chicago. and to point to Lincoln Park as some other evidence of the health of city is missing the point that downtown is dead.

NoHope4Ilinois
2 years ago
Reply to  Madge

Friends and family in Lakeview worried about increased crime – car jackings in your driveway in middle of day.

debtsor
2 years ago
Reply to  Madge

NOW DO AUSTIN, ENGLEWOOD & BACK OF THE YARDS

nixit
2 years ago

How about a show of good faith, Lori: Repeal downtown’s 1% McPier restaurant tax. The tax meant to gouge tourists and office workers alike. If you’re serious about getting us back downtown, tax us like you tax someone on the outskirts of town.

Rico Rosario
2 years ago

This is the product of inept politicians in congress, “ both political parties,” that are more concerned with their own bottom lines than the people. Crime is a result of poverty. Neither party in this country wants to address that. Poverty is important to have due to the fact that people in poverty tend to work for anything. That is why the Unions in America are being destroyed. Workers are losing their rights and voice to speak up. People that are hungry will do anything to eat and feed their families. No matter what race they are.

Sandra
2 years ago
Reply to  Mark Glennon

And ya know the Plandemic Scamdemic that destroyed small business, the middle class, and created the FEAR Virus that has no vaccine, except more tyrannical control, taxes and unlawful, constitutional mandates. How about the people of Chicago take off their masks, and stand up to the tyrants. Stop walking around like mind controled l sheep. Go run for office take back their school boards take back their city stand up, Wake up! If they care about their city do something about it. Be the change..

Road Kill Cafe
2 years ago
Reply to  Rico Rosario

Throughout global history, poor people have staved off hunger by growing their own food, and through other means of productive resourcefulness. It’s easier to steal a gun.

vb
2 years ago
Reply to  Rico Rosario

Crime is driven by culture. Crime is not the result of poverty. There are millions of poor people all over the world who are not criminals. In Chicago, poor legal immigrants and refugees have very little criminal behavior. It’s true that people in poverty tend to work…honest, legal, work. God bless them.

Thee Jabroni
2 years ago
Reply to  Rico Rosario

i could drive thru englewood with a bullhorn announcing that i need 100 workers starting at $22 per hour,might get 20 people that would respond,and after i tell them they have to be at work at 6:00 am,18 of them would say f- that.My point is its not about poverty,its about laziness and government dependency,most of these people that whine and cry about being oppressed by ” the man” wouldnt take a job stacking paper clips for $30 an hour

James
2 years ago
Reply to  Thee Jabroni

Apparently you would take that job in if you were in similar situations. I doubt it, and your reason(s) may be slightly different. But, in both cases you’d like to think you’re better than that. That’s part of the psychological calculus at play here.

Johngalt
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Just wondering- what is the psychological calculus that allows someone to “feel better” about themselves for accepting government handouts to live on rather than accepting employment? Are you saying that they consider themselves too good for such menial work? Apparently self-esteem is no longer tied to actual circumstances in the real world.

James
2 years ago
Reply to  Johngalt

People will more frequently tend to take a job and stay in it when its interesting to do, sufficiently rewarding in terms of maintaing or gaining self respect, and offers the esteem of colleagues as well as one’s family. Then, it should offer sufficent immediate financial remuneration along with an expectation or realistic hope of increasingly doing so as time passes. Subtacting any one of them will reduce interest in a applying for it, and reducing more than one reduces such interest as a multipling effect. Does it take a Harvard grad to know those things? I presume not.

Thee Jabroni
2 years ago
Reply to  James

theres those big words again teacher james,the bottom line is to take any freaking job or stay on the government tit,most of these losers would rather sleep till noon,get there government ” free” stuff,and sell drugs and gang bang-whats your big word ” logical” explanation for that teacher james?!

James
2 years ago
Reply to  Thee Jabroni

People want far more than money out of their choice for employment. They want self repect, the respect of their family and work colleagues, a feeling of accomplishment, a chance for personal growth and increasing recognition as a valued employee, and likely a few more things you fail to recognize. Now, really, would you take a job and keep doing it for years on end stacking paper clips as proposed in your dream-job example. I don’t think so for your presumed wage of $22 per hour at least. I don’t blame people who would choose welfare instead. What’s lost there… Read more »

Coach
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Actually, James, you are asking two distinct but related questions here. If I were in the downtrodden position of some of these people, then I absolutely work take a job stacking paper clips for $30 an hour. Assuming it is a full time job (40 hours/week) that is over $60,000 per year. I know a lot of people who do jobs they don’t like for 60K or even less. If you find that paper clip stacking job distasteful, there is nothing preventing you from looking for another job that you might find more stimulating and rewarding. In the meantime, you… Read more »

James
2 years ago
Reply to  Coach

I agree completely except for that taking this sort mindless, boring job simply because its available and maybe even finacially necessary in the short term robs the applicant of the time, energy and do-it-now sense of motivation to look for a better job in the longer-term view of its possibilities. Every day there is a day not spent more wisely doing such a search.

Johngalt
2 years ago
Reply to  James

You are apparently conflating people who have options with those who do not. Of course if you have a choice of higher level employment you may choose to hold out for better options. But the original premise was for people who have never held a job, and with limited prospects of ever doing so. Should they hold out for a “meaningful” job with career prospects? Your answer was apparently yes. Therefore no one should ever work McDonald’s drive-thru, sweep floors, or any other menial job? These are often the only entry-level options available. Your psychological calculus fails many people who… Read more »

Johngalt
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Thank you for explaining. Apparently those of us who understand that nothing is free and you must work to pay the bills need to keep paying for others until they can find satisfying work with a career path. Based on their current behavior, we deplorables will be supporting them for a very long time.

James
2 years ago
Reply to  Johngalt

What’s a primary job-selection motivator for one person may well not be so for another. Money in suffficient amounts is a good motivator for the short term, but its not necessarily the most important motivator and seldom the sole motivator for long-term employment. There are far more psychological factors involved in long-term job selection as most people would see it.

Johngalt
2 years ago
Reply to  James

Since you didn’t respond to my point- that those who work must support those who are waiting for the right “motivator” to work, my original point stands. Unless you have another plan to obtain the funds?

Thee Jabroni
2 years ago
Reply to  James

so,whats your point!?

James
2 years ago
Reply to  Thee Jabroni

My point is you were complaining that some people won’t take a job even at $22 per hour and giving the impression of deriding them for doing so. You even gave the example that such people ought to be willing to stack paper clips at that rate. That whole concept assumes that money is the sole reason or at least the over-riding reason any person would ever take a job. My responses say you are dreaming if that’s what you think. A “job” has to include at least a few more attractive features to be taken seriously as an applicant… Read more »

Thee Jabroni
2 years ago
Reply to  James

no dummy,my point is its more honorable to have ANY job rather than be a gang banging,drug dealing,welfare sucking loser

Thee Jabroni
2 years ago
Reply to  Thee Jabroni

but i forgot,youre a teacher so the same principles dont apply,my bad

James
2 years ago
Reply to  Thee Jabroni

Okay, classy talker, you can go do ANY job for peanuts and be an honerable guy for less than livable wages. You will be my hero if you really do that for even a month instead of just bloviating that others should be happy to do it. My bet is you won’t either. Talk is cheap.

Thee Jabroni
2 years ago
Reply to  James

i have a real job teacher james,not a government paid lame ass job like you,we dont have to argue,you and the welfare leaches suck from the government tit,i take pride in doing a real job,i know that you and the drug dealing,welfare scum bags have much in common,its ok little man,keep draining from the government teacher james,sad little leach

James
2 years ago
Reply to  Thee Jabroni

Oh, you’re such a classy guy. I’m in awe of your charming efforts at persuasion with all the powerful psychological tools learned in junior high school.

Mark
2 years ago

I only feel bad for the conservative republicans that are still stuck in Chicago. The rest got what they voted for.

LessonLearned
2 years ago
Reply to  Mark

Don’t feel too much sympathy for anyone “stuck”. They have had many years to recognize the growing crisis and where this is all headed. If they are still there, it’s because they haven’t been paying attention or the pros still outweigh the cons for their personal situation.

Mark
2 years ago
Reply to  LessonLearned

They also don’t really have much of a republican party,not when a lot of them donate to the dems

Madge
2 years ago
Reply to  LessonLearned

Truly come visit our city and you’ll see this is all hype. We welcome you to the neighborhoods that DON’T make the news.

Mark
2 years ago
Reply to  Madge

63 years in Chicago,and burbs,and did some business downtown,and gold coast,it was a Sh–hole then,and now. In Highland Indiana,and love it. Haven’t been asked for money by a homeless person in over a year.

Mark
2 years ago
Reply to  Mark

https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/special-report-police-fighting-back-as-chicago-crime-spills-into-indiana Saw this after my last comment,when we moved here both my neighbors stopped by,introduced themselves,and also told me what a safe area we moved into,everyone is well armed on the block watch out for each other,and a lot of people have a conceal carry card. I’m still waiting for my FOID card from when I lived in Illinois over a year ago. You don’t stop crime by handcuffing the police,or rolling over in the fetal position and begging, thats a big reason people are flocking to Indiana also.

Clown world
2 years ago
Reply to  Mark

She won’t get it

Mark
2 years ago
Reply to  Clown world

I gotta start looking at other stories here before I comment https://www.illinoistimes.com/springfield/year-long-waits-for-foid-cards/Content?oid=14110347

Wilmette
2 years ago
Reply to  LessonLearned

I think that’s a bit harsh. Many people have family and jobs in the area and it’s not as simple as getting up and leaving where they are.

LessonLearned
2 years ago
Reply to  Wilmette

…and some are too lazy to make a major life change so they make excuses. I was one of them until recently.

Indy
2 years ago
Reply to  Wilmette

Actually it is when Indiana is only 15 miles away.

Zak Noles
2 years ago

Friends from Grand Rapids would come here regularly to visit. Downtown was always a place they wanted to go for the bright lights, different food and shopping. Always Navy Pier. NO MORE. The last time they came in, they had s banging on their windows, jumping in the street, harassing everyone. It was like a National Geographic documentary only with “people”. Now they route themselves around the chitty and we’ve found the same quality of food and entertainment in the suburbs like Schamberg, Naperville and North Aurora(the new parts). When we go to WI, they route a loop around Cook… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Mark Glennon
Madge
2 years ago
Reply to  Zak Noles

Poor things. Naperville. Really. Snore. It is all hype. We welcome you to the neighborhoods that DON’T make the news. We are here and we are fine and welcome you to explore and have fun. Navy Pier stinks so sorry that was your only avenue for exploration. Get into the world wide web and find the neighborhoods. You’ll enjoy.

Platinum Goose
2 years ago
Reply to  Madge

Lori don’t you have an equity or defund the police meeting to attend.

Chase Gioberti
2 years ago
Reply to  Madge

How would a visit to Englewood pan out for me?

Joey Zamboni
2 years ago

If you can survive the *mad max like expressways* & arrive in one piece…

Then you have to navigate the maze of one way streets…

Avoid the red light & speed cameras…

Avoid getting car jacked, or shot…

Pay exorbitant parking fees…

Then do it all over again (except the parking fees) to get home…

OR

Work from the comfort of home…

Madge
2 years ago
Reply to  Joey Zamboni

Our expressways are fine… That’s the south and west side of the city which has been hellish for decades. Nothing will fix that mess. Enjoy the neighborhoods that DON’T make the news.

Mark
2 years ago
Reply to  Madge

Our expressways are fine…. That made me laugh,thank you.

Themis
2 years ago
Reply to  Mark

Don’t think the family of the woman who was shot on the way home from a White Sox game would agree with you…

Chase Gioberti
2 years ago
Reply to  Madge

Or we can enjoy the neighborhoods outside of the city where we won’t have to brave the expressway to get there.

MillerTime
2 years ago

25 years ago I’d be taking the Lake/DanRyan L to work on State and Adams at midnight from Oak Park. Never had a problem. The only time was when this big burley guy sat right next to me when the car was almost empty. It took three of four nudges from him for me to look towards him. He was trying to get me to look at his badge. Once I saw it, he told me to move to the next car. I did and as soon as I was in the safe car, he got up, showed his badge… Read more »

LessonLearned
2 years ago

Then there are also those of us that left Chicago and/or Illinois, never to return.

Richard
2 years ago
Reply to  LessonLearned

Yep. And every time we return to visit it seems things are getting worse and worse.

Joan
2 years ago

The sad joke now is that even the criminals are afraid to go out on the streets.

Madge
2 years ago
Reply to  Joan

Dear Joan, You are mistaken.

NoHope4Illinois
2 years ago

My daughter, who’s office is on Wacker (though she only goes there once a week at the most) just got back from Austin – It’s booming, people everywhere. Freedom and prosperity for those who think it’s most important.

This emptiness is the result of what Chicago wants. Otherwise people would work to change it.

Last edited 2 years ago by NoHope4Illinois
Madge
2 years ago

Streets are not empty. Downtown is quiet but visit the northwest side and even Lakeview and Lincoln Park. We’re all still here and fine. Austin is probably one of the youngest cities in terms of demographics and being a college town to boot, so yes there would be action at all hours. It’s a lovely place and I like it lots, but after six months you’ve seen all there is in that town. Chicago is a neverending place to explore.

streeterville
2 years ago
Reply to  Madge

Lori, okay, we know it’s you.

The True Believer
2 years ago
Reply to  Madge

What about the crime?

The Paraclete
2 years ago

The city is a house of cards waiting for a breeze. Lori will be remembered as the pioneer who discovered how to make suburban life much better! Dress pajamas for Zoom meetings!

Tom B
2 years ago

Hopefully all of the red light cameras and the recently introduced 6mph speed cameras will bring forth revenues to offset the losses that occur when the restaurants are left empty.

Madge
2 years ago
Reply to  Tom B

Quit breaking the law. Restaurants are fine. Come and visit in the hoods that DON’T make the news. Big city. Explore. And don’t speed.

Tom B
2 years ago
Reply to  Madge

No thanks.

Frank
2 years ago
Reply to  Madge

Red light cameras don’t exist to make people safe. They exist to make money. The timing on lights with cameras is shorter than non camera lights. I don’t go to the city anymore unless I have to.

Rick
2 years ago

Yes employers really cannot back up any request they make for employees to once again commute. Because office work actually gets done better remotely. This makes the skyscrapers obsolete. Those buildings were designed to pack office workers in proximity to work together. But at the cost of commuting. Now a VPN connection and reliable video conferencing can replace a skyscraper. And business gets the benefit of being able to hire anyone worldwide, not just locals. Additionally the cost savings are great for everyone, cost in money, time and pollution. Even upper management in downtown offices don’t want to commute again,… Read more »

Madge
2 years ago
Reply to  Rick

Solid points. A rarity these days in the comment section and I thank you. They will turn into apartments or college housing … Will be fine. Owners reps have been discussing this from prior to the pandemic. Will never bring commercial real estate prices per square foot but surely will survive.

jajujon
2 years ago
Reply to  Madge

Madge, you really know very little about the commercial real estate market and its impact on the vibrancy and economy of Chicago. Conversions to apartments and college housing? Seriously? The downtown office market is one of the city’s main economic engines. Non-residential real estate represents nearly 40% of assessed values. You dismiss the current impairment from COVID, riots and crime – “Come on out to the neighborhoods!” If things don’t turn around soon, the city may have no choice but to file bankruptcy like Detroit. And all that residential real estate in the areas you love? Values will tank while… Read more »

streeterville
2 years ago
Reply to  Madge

If Madge isn’t Lori Lightfoot in drag, then it’s a young-adult reciting PC talking points. Turn them into apartments? – residential market doesn’t want to live in downtown; already done and failed, evident if you walk around downtown and look at office-conversion residential buildings. College housing” again, college enrollments are declining, Chicago’s colleges already built-out their ambitious student facilities, and now have junk-bond financial ratings (go read up on UChicago, Northwestern, and Loyola, would ya, before you start opining.

debtsor
2 years ago
Reply to  streeterville

It is also very difficult and expensive to turn office buildings into housing, because, for starters, the plumbing is not very well placed for residential living…

nixit
2 years ago

It’s been a white collar revolution of sorts. For the past year, these workers have proven they could get their jobs done remotely. And when employers began to aggressively “encourage” those workers to come back into the office in late Spring, they asked why. Those same workers who got used to saving 90-120 per day in commute time and over $100/week not having to buy coffee, lunch, and train tickets. And for the few employers who didn’t relent, those employees found employers who would. I’ve had numerous colleagues leave to find 100% remote positions elsewhere. The new normal isn’t going… Read more »

Rick
2 years ago
Reply to  nixit

Exactly. The city cannot compete with a massive number of people who suddenly got 1/4th of their lives back that was previously spent on commuting. Now the shoe is on the other foot. Supporting the many brick and morters was the infrastructure of people paying in time and money for their commutes. This was the Adam Smith “invisible hand” keeping the ship afloat for downtown business, self-paid commuters. Will the city now pay people to come there? No way. When a better economic position steals all your city’s foot traffic in a natural shift, (the invisible hand), it is gone… Read more »

GM
2 years ago
Reply to  Mark Glennon

I work in a non – profit in Ravenswood, I live in Evanston and take the L to work. Pre – pandemic, our org had a flexible work schedule, which was great. Now I am coming into the office two long days per week to meet with my clients, all else can be done remotely at home, especially meetings and data entry stuff. Since I’m over 60 I can request that this schedule be permanent as long as Covid is even remotely a threat. I love it, and am not going back – I save on commuting, am less fatigued… Read more »

debtsor
2 years ago
Reply to  nixit

Chicago has antiquated infrastructure and it never did make a lot of sense to pack 1,000,000+ people in the loop 5 days a week during business hours. It is a commuting nightmare. Our city was zoned and designed over a century to put all the offices and tall buildings downtown but that design model outgrew its usefulness as it became too large to shuttle all those warm bodies from far flung regions. All commuter train lines, and highways too, begin and end downtown. All it has lead to is crazy congestion. Listen to the traffic reports during rush hour and… Read more »

NoHope4Illinois
2 years ago
Reply to  debtsor

It’s been a long time in the making, but those pics of a near deserted business district do look like Detroit. The coming recession will be extra hard on Chicago.

Eric
2 years ago

Despite all the crazy around town this year, I still cannot forget the fatal stabbing of 31-year-old Anat Kimchi in the 400 block of South Wacker Drive that occurred in June. RIP

sdododos
2 years ago
Reply to  Eric

By someone who should have been put in cage long ago and the key thrown away

NoHope4Illinois
2 years ago
Reply to  Eric

The people who attempted to blame the victim were most disgusting. RIP.

Clown world
2 years ago

Chicago is filled with those people. Those people run the city. That is why Chicago will not be coming back.

Madge
2 years ago
Reply to  Clown world

Leave the bubble. We are here and we are fine. We never left so there’s nothing to come back from.

Clown world
2 years ago
Reply to  Madge

When I wrote “those” people, you were included in that group.

GM
2 years ago
Reply to  Clown world

Lol…your comment just made my day, my sincere gratitude…!!! 🙂

Willowglen
2 years ago
Reply to  Madge

Madge – I have worked in the Loop, and for a much longer period, on the Avenue of Americas in NY. New York is pre-eminent, but Chicago counts as having one of the two big city areas in the country with prominent and recognizable downtown areas. They carry with them the potential for tremendous revenue, but they also have high infrastructure costs which must constantly be serviced. These places need money and people, lots of it. I don’t think there is any way to spin what is happening in the Loop and adjacent areas as anything but an extremely concerning.… Read more »

Road Kill Cafe
2 years ago
Reply to  Willowglen

I still believe that free Chicago of its corruption and huge fiscal problems and that it would once again become a fiery economic engine.” Good luck with that; the list of great things about Chicago is long, but the task is futile. From top to bottom, our “culture” abdicates personal responsibility and facts. It’s Grifter’s Paradise.

Clown world
2 years ago
Reply to  Willowglen

Forget what you know Willowglen. Per Madge, just keep visiting restaurant row in Lakeview on Southport between Belmont and Irving Park and all will be well!

debtsor
2 years ago
Reply to  Clown world

“Sure, the patient has terminal liver cancer, but look at his lungs, heart and brain, they’re pristine!”

“Downtown is missing upwards 650,000 people a day, but look, the restaurants in Lake View, Lincoln Park and Northalsted are busy as ever (and let’s just ignore the south and west sides that were burnt out during the riots last year)”

streeterville
2 years ago
Reply to  Clown world

Do so, get mugged at Belmont Red-Line station. Belmont/Clark area has a HUGE street-crime problem well-documented by CWB blog.

Mike
2 years ago

Cook County jail population is down, crime is up, car jackings up, theft up, expressway shootings up, jerks are aggressive to police, police cannot lay a pinky on the aggressive jerks, BLM hysteria rampant, COVID lockdowns a moving target, COVID paranoia rampant, homeless is up, homeless are more aggressive, blacks aggressive to Asians, Kim Foxx + Lori Lightfoot = no fun.

Who wants to spend time and money to have no fun.

Everything is about a political narrative.

Source: CWB Chicago, Spot News, Hey Jackass, eyes and ears.

john clark
2 years ago
Reply to  Mike

All because a certain segment of the population refuses to get vaccinated.

Repete
2 years ago
Reply to  john clark

Lol

Fauci Fraud
2 years ago
Reply to  john clark

Tell us what the jabbed have to fear from the unjabbed. Then tell us why we need the jabs.

We’ll wait.

Wilmette
2 years ago
Reply to  Fauci Fraud

yup

Kelly
2 years ago
Reply to  Fauci Fraud

Virus mutations! The mutations “varients” that spreads faster, have a higher viral payload, increased mortality and can evade antibodies the immune system utilizes to protect us.. The more people “jabbed” the less the virus has the opportunity to mutate.

Fauci Fraud
2 years ago
Reply to  Kelly

Kelly there’s a couple of important points in evolutionary biology your statement ignores. First, viruses get more contagious and less lethal over time. This is because they seek survival and killing your hosts isn’t a great way to survive (see Ebola). The second is that if you want to make an organism stronger you subject it to unfavorable evolutionary conditions. In the case of COVID, the jabbed offer more unfavorable environments for COVID than the unjabbed. This should be self explanatory. The above is important to consider as you do your research on “leaky vaccines” or “vaccine enhanced immune escape”.… Read more »

Christo
2 years ago
Reply to  Kelly

Actually the opposite is true. The pseudo-vaccine is creating an increasing the number of virus mutations that are succeeding in getting around it, and default these mutations are more easily spread. All you have to do is look at country statistics. The countries with the most vaccinated are now having the highest increases in positive cases. People want to blame unvaccinated ? Well then they need screaming at the countries with low-vaccination or almost nil vaccination rates; But they can’t, because the virus is not spreading at a grave rate in those countries. Please explain why 3rd world countries such… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Christo
Richard
2 years ago
Reply to  Mike

http://www.heyjackass.com is an really good resource the liberal media doesn’t want you reading.

SIGN UP HERE FOR FREE WIREPOINTS DAILY NEWSLETTER

Home Page Signup
First
Last
Check all you would like to receive:

FOLLOW US

 

WIREPOINTS ORIGINAL STORIES

A statewide concern: Illinois’ population decline outpaces neighboring states – Wirepoints on ABC20 Champaign

“We are not in good shape” Wirepoints’ Ted Dabrowski told ABC 20 Champaign during a segment on Illinois’ latest population losses. Illinois was one of just three states to shrink in the 2010-2020 period and has lost another 300,000 people since then. Ted says things need to change. “It’s too expensive to live here, there aren’t enough good jobs and nobody trusts the government anymore. There’s just other places to go where you can be more satisfied.”

Read More »

WE’RE A NONPROFIT AND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE DEDUCTIBLE.

SEARCH ALL HISTORY

CONTACT / TERMS OF USE