Chicago used to be the city that works. Like much of America these days, much of Chicago isn’t working. We’ve hit the international news scene for terrifying violent crimes as much as our failed Olympic bid. Our mayor is a caricature of himself, a cartoon lampooning patronage that’s part diamond Joe Quimby. A mere two years ago, our postal service was still rated the worst in the country. The trains don’t exactly run on time. Our rivers don’t catch fire, but if the right light hits certain bodies of water one can see the stink lines rising.
Despite the rampant corruption, the massive privatization of public works, the outrageous sales tax, the crater sized potholes, despite it all, I still love this city.
Hopeful faces turned to sullen sad sacks quickly in Daley Plaza Friday morning. The news that we weren’t only rejected for the Olympics, but rejected first, took the color out of hopeful faces leaving a sad neon haze wafting over the city.
and plenty of spilled coffee
Image credit Marcus Gilmer, Chicagoist
A few days before Rio and the IOC crushed Mayor Daley’s hopes of a “legacy,” about 200 people picketed his office to shout a firm “no” to Chicago’s 2016 bid. Plenty of folks around town (yours truly included) shared that sentiment. One speaker at the rally summed up my own thoughts, saying “we are funding our own exploitation and disenfranchisement.” Had Chicago ended up with the games, Joe six pack would’ve foot the bill for a party he couldn’t afford to attend.
Sure, the games would’ve brought a lot of temporary jobs and dollars into the city. But every Chicagoan’s cynical side knows that plenty of hands would’ve been in that cookie jar and Joe would be left with a few crumbs. Big business wanted the games and tried to sell it on the premise of economic recovery. Part of the public bought it and the rest of the support rallied around the idea that hosting the Olympics means some kick ass bragging rights. Even I can’t say that there isn’t a part of me that believes in that.
Even though the mayor, the president and Oprah pleaded for Chicago in 2016, the IOC handed the torch to Rio. I can’t say I’m sorry to see it go. The Olympics I remember from childhood are an illusion. It’s not about the sweaty thrill of victory or nations understanding each other through sporting competitions. The Olympics are about dollar signs and sponsorship rights. They’re a circus that demands the spectators to not only fork over cash to see the egress, but to hand over the checkbook and keys to the city, no questions asked.
One of the pro Chicago Olympic arguments was that hosting the games would make us a “world class city.” We’re already a world class city. The bread and circuses of sports already ooze from Wrigleyville to Bridgeport. E-coli might be swimming on our beaches, but the sunrise over the shores of Lake Michigan can’t be beat. We’ve got some decent bike friendly roads and pathways, plenty of great music venues and vibrant local scenes. We’ve got this guy:
Vincent Falk, ladies and gentleman
Most of all, we’ve got a lot of great people here. Hard working people, famous people, not so famous people, but most of all – a lot of good people. So don’t fret about losing the Olympics fellow Chicagoans. We would’ve just complained about them anyway. Buck up and let’s make this the city that works again instead.
