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Chicago Alerts

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Chicago. Written by Monica Eng and Justin Kaufmann.

Axios Chicago

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Chicago. Written by Monica Eng and Justin Kauffman.

Axios Chicago Thought Bubble

Here's a look back at our city enjoying what Lake Michigan has to offer. Happy summer, Chicago.

The same Oak Street scene 90 years later. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios 

Kids bury a friend up to his neck in the sand at 57th Street Beach in 1987. Photo: Stephen Marc/Chicago History Museum/Getty Images

A woman applies suntan lotion to her friend's back at North Avenue Beach in 1958. Photo: Underwood Archives/Getty Images

Chicago families at 12th Street Beach in 1973. Photo: HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Leslee Ditka wails after her first dunking at North Avenue Beach in 1948. Photo: Bettmann Archives/Getty Images

Justin and Monica working remotely at Montrose Beach in 2021. Photo: A random person who thankfully didn't steal our phone

Photo flashback: Chicago beaches

People in bathing suits at Oak Street Beach in 1929. Photo: Chicago Daily News/Chicago History Museum/Getty Images

Area beaches open today!<ul><li>Here&#x27;s a look back at our city enjoying what Lake Michigan has to offer. Happy summer, Chicago.</li></ul>

Things to Do

The first Chicago casino could be on its way to breaking ground as the City Council plans to vote on Bally's proposal in River West later this morning. 

Why it matters: The $200 million in expected annual revenue would go to paying for police and fire pensions, but some opponents say that estimate is overblown. 

What they're saying: "This is a promise. That's all it is," Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd), who is polling a run for mayor, said during the Monday committee meeting that voted to move the proposal to the full council. "This is actually worse than the parking meter deal. Our hands will be tied six years from now." 

"We won't have the ability to correct the mistake that we're about to make."

Context: The parking meter deal was notoriously fast-tracked through council in 2008 by then-Mayor Richard M. Daley and is regarded as one of the worst deals in city history. 

By the numbers: Another "no" vote in the Monday committee meeting was Ald. Michele Smith (43rd), who objected due to environmental concerns.

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) also voted no, citing crime and congestion problems. 

The other side: Chicago CFO Jennie Huang Bennett says the city loses over $300 million in revenue to neighboring Indiana every year the city doesn't have a casino.

What's next: The council is expected to vote today. If approved, a temporary casino located at Medinah Temple would be up and running in 2023. 

The permanent River West location would be ready in 2026. 

💭 Justin's thought bubble: If you say, "This is actually worse than the parking meter deal," you'd better be right. That's like yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theater. It's an emotional accusation that certainly must be looked into given how awful the meter deal was. 

But if hyperbolic, it should disqualify Hopkins from all future public discourse. 🤣

https://link.axios.com/click/27826080.28/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL2NoaWNhZ28vMjAyMi8wNS8wNi9saWdodGZvb3Qtcm9sbHMtdGhlLWRpY2Utb24tYmFsbHlzLWNhc2luby1jaGljYWdvP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7B841e75c4

Chicago to vote on city's first-ever casino

Some alderpeople are still skeptical ahead of the vote.

A rendering of the Bally's casino in River West. Courtesy of Bally's

The first Chicago casino could be on its way to breaking ground as the City Council plans to vote on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bally&#x27;s proposal in River West" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/27826080.28/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL2NoaWNhZ28vMjAyMi8wNS8wNi9saWdodGZvb3Qtcm9sbHMtdGhlLWRpY2Utb24tYmFsbHlzLWNhc2luby1jaGljYWdvP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7B841e75c4" data-vars-content-id="2e4474f1-cad7-4d4e-9b3b-d09df82245a4" data-vars-headline="Chicago to vote on city&#x27;s first-ever casino" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/27826080.28/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL2NoaWNhZ28vMjAyMi8wNS8wNi9saWdodGZvb3Qtcm9sbHMtdGhlLWRpY2Utb24tYmFsbHlzLWNhc2luby1jaGljYWdvP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7B841e75c4" target="_blank">Bally&#x27;s proposal in River West</a> later this morning. Why it matters: The $200 million in expected annual revenue would go to paying for police and fire pensions, but some opponents say that estimate is overblown.

Business

Politics

It could be a huge week for the state's maligned marijuana industry. 

Cook County Circuit Court may remove the injunction that has kept 185 social-equity applicants from receiving their dispensary licenses. 

Why it matters: Illinois set out to be the nation's most socially equitable cannabis state after legalizing marijuana in 2019. But almost three years later, the state has almost no operating minority-owned dispensaries. 

Context: After a confusing lottery process, a lawsuit was filed in the court and a judge ruled to halt all new licenses until the process played out.

Driving the news: The applicant who originally filed the lawsuit now wants the court to lift the stay. 

What they're saying: "Illinois is way behind where it wanted to be on owner diversity, product availability, industry revenue growth and more because of the stay," Grown In editor Mike Fourcher tells Axios. 

"I hope the judge removes the stay and the state goes along with it because there are still no minorities in the cannabis business," former state senator and dispensary license-holder Rickey Hendon tells Axios. 

What's next: The judge could rule as early as Friday. If the stay is removed, minority applicants can proceed in setting up their businesses, finding space and opening dispensaries. But it's been almost 29 months, which could create financial barriers. 

"Will all those social-equity teams just sell their licenses?" Fourcher says. "Lots of large, out-of-state companies are counting on that to build their Illinois presence at fire-sale prices."

https://link.axios.com/click/27826080.28/aHR0cHM6Ly9ncm93bmluLmNvbS8yMDIyLzA1LzIzLzE4NS1pbGxpbm9pcy1hZHVsdC11c2UtZGlzcGVuc2FyeS1saWNlbnNlcy1taWdodC1maW5hbGx5LW9mZmljaWFsbHktYmUtYXdhcmRlZC10aGlzLWZyaWRheS8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7B04f13b7b

https://link.axios.com/click/27826080.28/aHR0cHM6Ly9ncm93bmluLmNvbS8yMDIyLzAzLzE3L21vcmUtZGlzcGVuc2FyeS1saWNlbnNlcy1jb21pbmctdG8taWwtaW4tcTMtb2YtMjAyMi13aXRoLW5ldy1hcHAtcHJvY2Vzcy1zYXktcmVndWxhdG9ycy8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7B430a0d36

https://link.axios.com/click/27826080.28/aHR0cHM6Ly9jYXBpdG9sZmF4LmNvbS8yMDIyLzA1LzIzL2ludGVuc2VseS1zbG93LWp1ZGljaWFsLXByb2Nlc3MtZmluYWxseS1zaG93cy1zaWducy1vZi1tb3ZlbWVudC1vbi1kaXNwZW5zYXJ5LWxpY2Vuc2VzLz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7B0428a6c5

Courts may release marijuana dispensary licenses

Lawsuit that is causing the delays for social equity applicants may be dropped.

A food truck sits outside a Sunnyside Cannabis Dispensary in Chicago in January 2020. Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images

Legalized marijuana

It could be a huge week for the state&#x27;s maligned marijuana industry. <ul><li>Cook County Circuit Court <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="may remove the injunction" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/27826080.28/aHR0cHM6Ly9ncm93bmluLmNvbS8yMDIyLzA1LzIzLzE4NS1pbGxpbm9pcy1hZHVsdC11c2UtZGlzcGVuc2FyeS1saWNlbnNlcy1taWdodC1maW5hbGx5LW9mZmljaWFsbHktYmUtYXdhcmRlZC10aGlzLWZyaWRheS8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7B04f13b7b" data-vars-content-id="4f4bca9f-e23e-4c26-adaa-d6d6b75340c1" data-vars-headline="Courts may release marijuana dispensary licenses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/27826080.28/aHR0cHM6Ly9ncm93bmluLmNvbS8yMDIyLzA1LzIzLzE4NS1pbGxpbm9pcy1hZHVsdC11c2UtZGlzcGVuc2FyeS1saWNlbnNlcy1taWdodC1maW5hbGx5LW9mZmljaWFsbHktYmUtYXdhcmRlZC10aGlzLWZyaWRheS8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7B04f13b7b" target="_blank">may remove the injunction</a> that has kept 185 social-equity applicants from receiving their dispensary licenses. </li></ul>

Last week, we asked about where you like to shop for your secondhand duds. 

👗 Arianna V.: "I love all of the Village Discount stores. Not only do they have great prices, but you can get lost in there for at least an hour because of the mass amount of items out on the floor."

🛋️ Lou C.: "The Brown Elephant stores, which benefit Howard Brown Health, are required stops. They have some amazing furniture — our living room couch is a Crate & Barrel sectional I found at the Andersonville store."

👶🏻 Karen M.: "Our first stop for children's clothes each season is Gabriel’s Closet in Park Ridge. They have a great selection of premium kids’ brands."

🔨 Bruce D.: "My favorite place to shop secondhand is at any of the 11 Habitat for Humanity ReStores in the Chicagoland area. They sell a surprising range of both used as well as new items, from furniture to building materials to appliances to paint to cleaning products."  

👠 Kelly S.: "My favorite place for secondhand clothes is A Secret Closet in Lincoln Square. The clothes and shoes are from pricey brands, in excellent condition and lovingly curated by shop owner Carmen and her daughter."

🏈 Pam G.: "My favorite secondhand store is My Sister's Closet in Edgebrook.  Friendly, family-owned business — pre-COVID, the Super Bowl sale was legendary."

👔 Haley S.: "I love Elliott Consignment (Lincoln Park & Lakeview) for both shopping and consignment. It’s well curated and not overwhelming! The basement has a killer sale section."

👖 Mark M.: "A great place to buy (and consign) secondhand is North Shore Exchange. One hundred percent of profits go to charities serving low-income families and children."

👕 Martha M.:  "I recommend the Nearly New Thrift Shop run by Catholic Charities in the DePaul University neighborhood. The merchandise is all donated and curated for quality; it includes household goods and clothing. The store is always full of surprises."

👡 Jeanne B.: "Always in Style in downtown Geneva is a great place to buy secondhand women’s clothing, shoes and accessories. It’s all nicely displayed and organized."

📺 Lori K.: "Goodwill. I have not gone much in a couple years, but stores are always neat and organized. Multiple locations helps if you are looking for something specific."

👨🏻‍💻 Dan W.: "Personally, I think the best secondhand shopping is via Facebook Marketplace. I recently moved to my first single-family home, and I’ve been using it like crazy (hose, coolers, furniture, etc.)." 

🏠 Liz F.: "Estate sales are my favorite way to shop — I have furnished and decorated most of my house that way, and prices can be better than at thrift shops."

＄Micki M.: "Having just bought a secondhand vintage bar cart yesterday, I loved that [newsletter] item. But a lot of secondhand merch isn’t bought. It’s acquired for free. People shop on Freecycle, their Buy Nothing Groups, the free-stuff page on Craigslist, and plain old front stoops and driveways."

🏡 Aaron K.: "Speaking of secondhand purchases: Did you know that Edgewater hosts an annual 'Sidewalk and Yard Sale' every year? It's a huge event. Hundreds of households participate, as well as a lot of local businesses."

https://link.axios.com/click/27840227.28/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjIvMDUvMTcvcmVzYWxlLXNlY29uZGhhbmQtYW1lcmljYW5zLXNob3BwaW5nP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7B158f3b69

https://link.axios.com/click/27840227.28/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudmlsbGFnZWRpc2NvdW50b3V0bGV0LmNvbS9zdG9yZXMucGhwP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7Bbba29b30

https://link.axios.com/click/27840227.28/aHR0cHM6Ly9ob3dhcmRicm93bi5vcmcvZ2V0LWludm9sdmVkL2Jyb3duLWVsZXBoYW50Lz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7B4e889d05

https://link.axios.com/click/27840227.28/aHR0cHM6Ly9nYWJyaWVsc2Nsb3NldC5vcmcvP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7B23d3fdc2

15 ideas for thrift shopping, as told by Chicago readers

So many options, including Village Discount, Brown Elephant, Gabriel's Closet and ReStore.

A customer at a Goodwill store in Arlington Heights. Photo: Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Axios readers share their fave secondhand shops 

Last week, we asked about where you like to shop for your <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="secondhand duds" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/27840227.28/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjIvMDUvMTcvcmVzYWxlLXNlY29uZGhhbmQtYW1lcmljYW5zLXNob3BwaW5nP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7B158f3b69" data-vars-content-id="75524fbb-2dde-4c98-9608-8463552f66f4" data-vars-headline="15 ideas for thrift shopping, as told by Chicago readers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/27840227.28/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjIvMDUvMTcvcmVzYWxlLXNlY29uZGhhbmQtYW1lcmljYW5zLXNob3BwaW5nP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7B158f3b69" target="_blank">secondhand duds</a>. 👗 Arianna V.: &quot;I love all of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Village Discount" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/27840227.28/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudmlsbGFnZWRpc2NvdW50b3V0bGV0LmNvbS9zdG9yZXMucGhwP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7Bbba29b30" data-vars-content-id="75524fbb-2dde-4c98-9608-8463552f66f4" data-vars-headline="15 ideas for thrift shopping, as told by Chicago readers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/27840227.28/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudmlsbGFnZWRpc2NvdW50b3V0bGV0LmNvbS9zdG9yZXMucGhwP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7Bbba29b30" target="_blank">Village Discount</a> stores. Not only do they have great prices, but you can get lost in there for at least an hour because of the mass amount of items out on the floor.&quot;

At the recent GOP gubernatorial debate, downstate candidate Darren Bailey derided Chicago as a "hellhole."

Why it matters: For starters, the comment rankles unabashed Chicago-lovers like us. 

But it could also prove a questionable strategy in a state where three-quarters of the population resides in the Chicago metro area, and almost a fourth lives in the city.

By the numbers: Chicago ranked as the 10th most popular place to move in the nation in 2021, according to a recent analysis of truck rental data by Penske. It's the first year our hellhole has cracked the top 10 since 2015.

And last fall Chicago was voted best big city by readers of Condé Nast Traveler for the fifth year in a row. 

Violence view: We do have way too much. But when it comes to per capita murder and gun homicides, Chicago doesn't even make the top 10.

Instead, our city ranks 26th in the category.

💭 Monica's thought bubble: As a professional gadfly, I get the need to push for improvements. But after 50 years here, I'm still proud to call this hole my home. 

💭 Justin's thought bubble: Could you imagine if a Chicago Democrat called downstate a hellhole? Maybe Bailey is just a "Spinal Tap" fan.

https://link.axios.com/click/27840227.28/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucG9saXRpY28uY29tL25ld3NsZXR0ZXJzL2lsbGlub2lzLXBsYXlib29rLzIwMjIvMDUvMjUvZ29wLWdvdmVybm9yLWRlYmF0ZS1oZWxsaG9sZS1hbmQtYWxsLTAwMDM1MDM0P3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7B3881a3d1

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https://link.axios.com/click/27840227.28/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmJjY2hpY2Fnby5jb20vbmV3cy9sb2NhbC9jaGljYWdvLW5hbWVkLWJlc3QtYmlnLWNpdHktZm9yLTV0aC1zdHJhaWdodC15ZWFyLWluLWNvbmRlLW5hc3QtcmVwb3J0LzI2MjkzODYvP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7B4b325c61

https://link.axios.com/click/27840227.28/aHR0cHM6Ly9ldmVyeXRvd25yZXNlYXJjaC5vcmcvcmVwb3J0L2NpdHktZGF0YS8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7Ba4b43954

Chicago is no hellhole to us

At the recent GOP gubernatorial debate, downstate candidate Darren Bailey <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="derided Chicago as a &quot;hellhole.&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/27840227.28/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucG9saXRpY28uY29tL25ld3NsZXR0ZXJzL2lsbGlub2lzLXBsYXlib29rLzIwMjIvMDUvMjUvZ29wLWdvdmVybm9yLWRlYmF0ZS1oZWxsaG9sZS1hbmQtYWxsLTAwMDM1MDM0P3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7B3881a3d1" data-vars-content-id="efdd0582-1dd0-4718-a7a0-401cdb4c66ef" data-vars-headline="Chicago is no hellhole to us" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/27840227.28/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucG9saXRpY28uY29tL25ld3NsZXR0ZXJzL2lsbGlub2lzLXBsYXlib29rLzIwMjIvMDUvMjUvZ29wLWdvdmVybm9yLWRlYmF0ZS1oZWxsaG9sZS1hbmQtYWxsLTAwMDM1MDM0P3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/612428039e4cf5278e161cc7B3881a3d1" target="_blank">derided Chicago as a &quot;hellhole.&quot;</a>Why it matters: For starters, the comment rankles unabashed Chicago-lovers like us. <ul><li>But it could also prove a questionable strategy in a state where three-quarters of the population resides in the Chicago metro area, and almost a fourth lives in the city.</li></ul>

Justin Kaufmann

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Photo flashback: Chicago beaches

Chicago is no hellhole to us

15 ideas for thrift shopping, as told by Chicago readers

Chicago to vote on city's first-ever casino

Courts may release marijuana dispensary licenses