Wednesday, July 9, 2008
News / Clout City Chicago's newest tourist attraction
Posted by Ben Joravsky on Wed, Jul 9, 2008 at 1:16 PM
My law enforcement sources up in Bensenville tell me that since I wrote about the Dead Zone last week in the Reader it's has become a tourist hot spot.
Apparently, people are driving through to gawk at the ghost town left in the wake of Mayor Daley's ambitious plan to clear out a chunk of Bensenville and turn it into a piece of O'Hare Airport.
There's a sense of urgency. At the moment lawyers for the city are asking Du Page County circuit court judge Kenneth Popejoy to lift his restraining order that keeps the city from bulldozing the houses it owns in the area.
Using real estate sales tactics straight out of David Mamet, the city pressured folks into selling more 500 pieces of property over the last two years. The city says the land is essential to the O'Hare Modernization Program.
Bensenville's fighting on just about every legal front, including arguing that demolishing the buildings will damage the environment. The city countered by hiring a consultant who's now testifying before Judge Popejoy that the demolition will have a minimal environmental impact.
The hearing ends on Thursday. If Judge Popejoy lifts his injunction, the city can bring in the bulldozers and give the Dead Zone the Meigs Field treatment. Provided, of course, that Bensenville doesn't win another temporary restraining order with an appeal.
In any event, you should take the opportunity to experience the Dead Zone in all of its eerie ghostliness before it's too late. I think it's more fun -- and a lot more educational -- than a trip to Navy Pier, Millennium Park, or any of Mayor Daley's other tourist attractions.
Stay tuned for my bicycle tour of the area.
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What is happening in Bensenville is a shame. History could repeat its self again. In the late 80's and early 90's Lambert Airport of St. Louis began buying huge chunks of Kinloch and Bridgeton Mo. and displaced many families and residents of those community much like what has happened in Bensenville. Those communities havent recovered. It amazes me the lack of thought for familes and business by those tyrants that use "oh its for the good of everyone" come on, displacing a family , displacing whole neighborhoods, displacing communities "is for the good of everyone"...yeah right!!! How that Daley machine works is boggling!
Bensenville is in the way of progress. The Airport must expand, to accommodate the expanding travel market. Bensenville will benefit with increase employment. Michael Reese hospital land deal will benefit the southside with increase stability. Tony Preckwinkle is on own side. She has been our sleeper cell,she and her husband will benefit greatly. Frank Coconate will soon work himself out of another job.
11th man , Your Mayor is throwing people out of there homes . I can now see why your scared to give your name. I fight for the Underdog,if I lose ...so what! At least I try to do the right thing. You and your kind are evil, evil people! Rose Andolino digging up graves and throwing families out of there homes. WOW! The airport will never use the land it's taking!Your day is coming soon! Today it's Bensenville.....next is Elmhurst, Than Addison, than .....Till someone stops your selfish ignorant , out of touch Mayor Daley.
What does your job pay Frank?
Frank, Your worth every penny!
I feel there are individuals engaging in scare tactics. O'Hara Airport was there before many of the surrounding communities. The guiding principal use by Mayor Daley is the greatest good for the greatest number of people.It is nothling wrong with Alderman Preckwinkle making a tif out of the old hospital.
It is interesting how people often say that O'Hare was there before many of the surrounding communities. Bensenville will be celebrating 125 years next year, how many years has O'Hare been an International Airport? I believe it finally was considered Chicago's International Airport less than 25 years ago. What purpose does Chicago have taking land that is beyond a barrier like a railroad? Will the runways cross tracks? Take a look at what Chicago has decided it needed to expand its boundaries. There is an old saying about putting all your eggs in one basket. This is exactly what the transportation industry is doing with O'Hare. As the price of tickets goes up, ridership will decline at O'Hare while it increase in Milwaukee, BN, and other nearby airports. Then who gets to foot the bill for $20,000,000? You know the taxpayers will. People of Cook and collar counties, get ready for the big bill that you will soon be expected to pay. With Chicago, your money is no object.
When a comment as idiotic as 11th Man said "Bensenville will benefit with increase employment" it just goes to show how uninformed or ignorant the city of Chicago employees really are. Too bad the proposed runways aren't being put right down the middle of 11th Mans' house and neighborhood. No doubt he would gladly sell his home to the city for far less than market value all for the cause of not standing in the way of progress!! Another commented on Frank Coconate and working his way out of another job, thats the class of the city and its gutless troops. How proud to be a city of Chicago employee. Coconate and others in Bensenville are the type of folks that Chicago cant BUY. Keep up the good fight Bensenville, and Mr. Coconate, more power to you, you must have really kicked Daley in the balls good for his scum to keep attacking you.
Just don't ride your bike on the sidewalk. http://morsehellhole.blogspot.com/2008/07/broken-heart-is-being-harassed-by.html
I am glad that they won't let O'Hare expand. With fuel going up indefinitley in price, less and less people will be traveling in coming years so we don't need to expand the airport when demand for flights is going down. It is just a way to give contracts to construction companies so they can make more money off the city when we don't need it. Chicago needs to learn that bigger isn't always better. Http://chicagoweekendfun.com
Clout Monkeys. Because: Someone has to eat the politicians' shit and like it.
The Windy Citizen has two photo tours, of homes and businesses as well as an interactive map of Bensenville on our new Bensenville blog. I made the trek out after reading your piece as well! http://vanishingvillage.windycitizen.com/
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