Mayor problems
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed drew some laughs from the audience of a Thursday City Club of Chicago luncheon while describing the challenges of addressing his city’s unfunded pension liability upon taking office in 2010. “I don’t want to sugarcoat it. The year that we did pension reform was terrible,” Reed explained. “I was unhappy; People threw a lot of symbols and signs at me that were unpleasant. [But] that’s nothing in Chicago, you all know that. That’s how y’all greet each other in the morning!”
Bike rage
Crain’s Chicago Business columnist Greg Hinz criticized a proposal from Alderman Pat Dowell (3rd) to charge an annual $25 bike registration fee. Dowell argued the measure could raise about $9 million for the city and allow Mayor Rahm Emanuel to scrap a proposed cable TV tax. Hinz’s response to the proposed bike fee? “Only in Chicago would a public official seriously suggest taxing a healthy activity, bike riding, to subsidize couch potato-ism,” he wrote. “Pass the chips, please. Gotta watch Da Bears blow another one.”
Rockin’ Wrigley
Wrigley Field was ranked No. 2 on Rolling Stone’s “Venues That Rock” list, which highlighted some of the best arenas and stadiums to catch a concert at in the nation. Jimmy Buffet played the first Wrigley concert in 2005, and since then the field has hosted The Police, Elton John and Paul McCartney, among others.
Cool ride
Despite Chicago’s chilly winters, Divvy spokesman Elliot Greenberg told DNAinfo Chicago that Divvy bikes will remain available for use throughout the coming winter seaon. “All stations will be available year-round, though we’ll reduce the bike fleet on the street to match ridership,” he said.
-Tom Butala