I think that too many people on this site are short sighted and just want to hear any good news whatsoever, even if it’s really pretty minimal, so that they can go back to the business of rolling their eyes and scoffing at and labeling all critics—even sensible and practical ones—as knuckle dragging Trumpists who hate Chicago and want it to burn in hell.
Not that simple of a world, folks. I’m as big a Chicagophile as anyone else here, but my criticisms come from a position of loving what it could be if bad decisions didn’t keep happening over and over again. The tiny population gain really isn’t a cause for celebration, because we are still performing horribly. We need to make the city way more inviting to business and families, and not just gung-ho enthusiasts like Steely Dan and LVDW who would never think about leaving the city and region for any reason.
Chicago needs to broaden its appeal. And you start with honest discussions about what really needs to change to stop crime and lower taxes, as well as lowering barriers to business and home ownership. And yes, that means standing up to the empowered special interests who don’t want to lose their grip on this place. Good luck, because they ain’t interested in change.
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