Chicago is a big convention city that attract visitors from all over the world. These conventions generate big dollars for the city. This type of attack Will scare off these visitor. My wife and I were almost attacked by two Amish while walking down Michigan ave near the bridge and Wrigley building. The area near the Science and Industry Museum is also very dangerous. The L and the metro train is hit and miss depending on location and time of day. I will never go back to Chicago. It isn’t any fun having to dodge all the predatory people and spending a ton of money to stay downtown.
That area has always had sporadic problems due to the ability to hide and ambush around the bridge. The S&I Museum was always dicey due to the neighborhood, especially at nite.
I left there in ‘96, visited in ‘07. Man did it change. I used to drive delivery for awhile and knew every inch from the South Loop up to Edgewater, and even I was intimidated when I went back. Can’t imagine now with the recession, that always makes the hoodlums more aggressive.