-- Connecting the dots between our economy, government and business --
The longtime operator of the Signature Room restaurant near the top of the former John Hancock Center has closed the business. "Unfortunately, economic issues after the closure of our city and restaurant due to the COVID-19 pandemic persist. Chicago and Michigan Avenue have been slow to recover. Safety issues and negative publicity continues to deter visitors to Chicago. All of these issues are negatively impacting the health of our restaurant and are issues that are completely out of our control."
Summary and audio linked here.
Chicago’s political leadership is floating a pension buyout program as evidence it is seriously addressing the city’s thirty-six-billion-dollar unfunded pension liability, but Mark Glennon, founder of the Illinois policy research organization Wirepoints, said that the proposal moves debt from one column to another rather than reducing it, and that the broader fiscal picture facing the city continues to deteriorate across every measurable dimension. Audio here.
Expect no retraction or apology. This what they do.
The state’s existing buyout program for its own pensions is the precedent for Chicago, which should be a warning: Look out for similar exaggerated claims and shoddy analysis.
Full interview and summary linked here.
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The Hancock was a place to take relatives visiting Old Joe. Well they’ve all been here and done that. At least they saw it in its prime.
But, but, BJ is winning? Who knew Democrat rule would mess things up? Inconceivable….
Wow! Another unique destination landmark bites the dust at the hand of Democrats. Good memories for me, but not the next generation.
Only visited once but had a wonderful meal for the joyous occasion of my daughter ringing the bell for the first time
Ouch. Very sad to see this. It was truly an iconic spot.
Note that the owners were not shy about citing area crime as a big reason for the closure
The owners’ note on the door specifically blamed the unnecessary lockdowns as the catalyst. Every democrat blue state governor and mayor that unconstitutionally shut their states down should be imprisoned, this was no pandemic but something far more sinister.
Another nice thing that will now only be a memory. Was always so proud to take visitors up there for a drink and a view, and sometime a meal. It was a “destination” type of place… I’d take visitors on an architectural tour or boat cruise, the Art Institute, hang around the Loop a bit and then up Michigan Avenue to end our visit at the 95th… NOW I won’t step foot in Chicago, and have discouraged visitors from coming to Chicago… “Oh, well, Chicago sure was a swell place once…”
I used to love showing off Chicago to visiting friend and relatives — 10 years ago. Now it’s embarrassing to have the city’s main shopping streets 33% vacant!
Yup, visiting Europeans were especially impressed. Often they’d just come from NYC and were amazed at how clean and nice and safe Chicago was compared to NYC – not to mention beautiful, and the great food and attractions. Now, those are dim memories…it didn’t take but a few short years for the lefties to ruin this once – great place…
They’re ruining it precisely because you think it was a great place.
10 years ago, if you were a headhunter, the SECOND MARDEST MOVE to talk anybody into was asking a native New Yorker to move from NYC to Chicago.
But the HARDEST MOVE to talk anybody into was asking a native New Yorker to MOVE BACK TO NYC — after spending a few years in Chicago.
Those days are long gone — now nobody wants to move to NYC or Chicago
And as BJ tells us; “keep Chicago out of your mouth”. Done!