Five Things To Know: Chicago sprints to next sporting event
Last weekend's LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon was considered a fiasco on at least a few different fronts. Not enough water was provided for runners in hot, high-80s temperatures; a 35-year-old runner died (apparently from an unrelated heart condition); and the run was cut short as a safety precaution, disappointing some participants.
Observers disagree on whether the problems will harm Chicago's chances to land the 2016 Olympics, but there's a general consensus that the Windy City had better put on an impressive World Boxing Championships. The international amateur competition - with nearly 700 boxers from more than 120 countries -- runs Oct. 23-Nov. 3 at the UIC Pavilion.
Chicago via New York. The 3,600-seat Chicago Theatre - yes, that's the performance palace with the famous marquee and vertical sign - is close to being sold to the company that handles events at Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall in New York, according to published reports. That could mean more prestigious offerings at the State Street theater, which faces stiff competition from Broadway in Chicago and other concert venues.
Taxing times. Mayor Richard Daley, as expected, unveiled a combination of proposed tax hikes to shore up the city's 2008 budget, prompting a barrage of critical news coverage and negative editorials about the onslaught. The mayor's press office put a more benign face on things, saying Daley has implemented several cost-saving measures and was now "reluctantly asking taxpayers to help close a projected $196 million shortfall and keep the city moving forward."
Trying to pin him down. At a Soldier Field news conference about veterans' health care, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) hestitated last week when asked about the minor stir his colleague, Barack Obama, caused over those American-flag pins. Obama, a Democratic presidential contender, recently said he doesn't wear one on his lapel anymore because he wants to demonstrate his patriotism in other ways.
Durbin said he wasn't familiar with the junior senator's remarks and declined comment. Enter Chicago Ald. James Balcer, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, who stepped to the microphone.
"You can show patriotism in a million ways," he said. "You can fly the flag. Here's patriotism: supporting the veterans. That's the biggest patriotism you can do."
"If somebody wants to wear (a flag pin), that's their business," Balcer added. "If they don't, that's their business, too. That's the great thing about this country."
Durbin then took a position.
"I associate myself with Jim Balcer's remarks," he said.
What's new. Work crews were setting up the mock haunted house that anchors Daley Plaza in the days leading up to Halloween, which reportedly is Mayor Daley's favorite holiday. "Haunted Village" has served as a backdrop for acrobatic performances, music and other entertainment. Yes, this all begs a joke or two about Chicago's corrupt history of ghost payrolling.
Mike Ramsey is the Chicago reporter for GateHouse News Service. He can be reached at (312) 857-2323 or ghns-ramsey@sbcglobal.net <mailto:ghns-ramsey@sbcglobal.net> .