Editorial: Chicago can’t afford an economically depressed downtown – Chicago Sun-Times

"Mayor Brandon Johnson announced a year ago that he had created a 40-member downtown economic growth advisory committee. According to City Hall, the group 'will provide business leaders, organizations and key stakeholders with a direct line of communication' with Johnson’s office and all of the city’s departments. It’s time for this committee to start producing some big ideas and measurable results, especially since the city already has World Business Chicago, the Department of Planning and Development, and civic groups such as Chicago Loop Alliance — all of which are tasked with improving downtown."
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Dorf
1 year ago

A 40 member board? Sounds like a slush fund for BJ’s leftist friends.

Mark F
1 year ago

This committee probably has provided Johnson with recommendations…recommendations that are beyond his comprehension.

Ataraxis
1 year ago

A delusional editorial from the Democrat Socialists at the Sun Times. “A weakened downtown costs us all”. Missing the fact that the Sun Time’s “us” does not include the ruling Dem leaders. Their grift and corruption marches on regardless of the downtown’s health. They would much rather rule over a Chicago wasteland with no opposition than a successful Chicago with an organized opposition. But the biggest delusion in the editorial is what’s not mentioned, the classic “dog that didn’t bark”: CRIME People with money don’t go to the Loop or the former Magnificent Mile simply because they value their lives.… Read more »

Last edited 1 year ago by Ataraxis
debtsor
1 year ago
Reply to  Ataraxis

Fulton market also seems to attract a very niche demographic of middle aged high income earning professionals, often in their second act at life, sometimes recently divorced, or unattached, or maybe even recently married aka the Sex in the City crowd. Its amazing the number of people I’ve know in life that get divorced and then move some neighborhood immediately west of the loop. It’s not everyone of course but it’s in no way representative of even a tiny minority of the city’s population.

Ataraxis
1 year ago
Reply to  debtsor

Totally agree. I’ve seen this first hand. Fulton is an adult playground for them.

debtsor
1 year ago

Simply put: Few people want to go downtown, for any reason, unless they are forced to do so.

David F
1 year ago

Yet another tourist shot in Chicago, probably should list Chicago as an assisted suicide sanctuary.

Fullbladder
1 year ago
Reply to  David F

Second City Cop reported on it.

Leaving Soon, just not soon enough
1 year ago

The unfortunate truth is that it is going to get worse before it (if ever)) gets better. The transportation to get to downtown is dirty and unsafe. Once down there it is not safe and many businesses that were once there are now gone. It is becoming a downtown ghost town. If you drive there you get gouged by parking fees.

Eugene from a payphone
1 year ago

As usual, Sun Times reporters are late to the party. Chicago already has a distressed (and dying) central business district encouraged and supported by the reporters of the Sun Times itself. Chicago’s major papers target a 4th grade reading level and now find that level is a bit too high for local graduates.

mqyl
1 year ago

Yep, the title of that editorial might’ve made sense several years ago. It’s as if they keep some of these reporters out of society for years, then free them to report on conditions in Chicago and Illinois. Such reporters need to be updated on what’s been happening in the last several years before they’re allowed to write editorials.

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