Great town? Chicago has been a corrupt place since forever.
“Great town?”
I have not been to Chicago in 40 years, when I landed my plane at Meigs field, on the lake, but a friend tells me that it is a great city to visit for restaurants, nightlife, etc.
Have you ever been to Chicago? I have been in every major city in this country, I have been in all of the European Capitals and I've been to many cities in Canada.
When I say every major city the only two MAJOR cities I haven't been to are Houston and Dallas.
I've been to New York, Boston, S.F, LA, Seattle, San Antonio, Miami, Philly, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Atlanta, St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha, Portland, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Louisville, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Sioux Falls, Washington DC, Orlando, Tampa, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tuscon, Providence, Hartford, Detroit, Richmond, I can keep going...
None of these cities hold a penny to Chicago. Yes, the politicians are corrupt but it is the has the CLEANEST downtown area compared to any other city in this country that I have been to (with the exception of Dallas and Houston) as I've never been there.
We have phenomenal restaurants, we don't have garbage in the streets like New York, we have the best assortment of museums in as close proximity as you can possibly get.
Mayor Daley for all his wrongs really did a number on the lake front with the redevelopment of Soldier Field and the Museums surrounding Soldier Field (all within a mile of each other).
We have five historic sports franchises, we have probably the second best area to shop in the country second to New York City on Michigan Avenue which has all of the top stores in the nation.
As far as the corruption and crime. The corruption will never end as long as the populous of Chicago continue to be bribed to vote. The gang activity is not in the downtown area and there are many affluent areas in the city. If you want crime you need to go the south side or west side well outside of the loop.
So as a Chicagoan I find your statement insulting. And I doubt you have ever been here, we also have some of the best hotels in the nation. Oh and many parks that are CLEAN unlike some other cities where you have to dodge bums and needles.