Economist.com Cities Guide: Chicago Briefing - February 2006

News this month

Pier review

The future of Navy Pier, one of Chicago’s most beloved landmarks, has come into question. The recreational pier, designed by Daniel Burnham (an acclaimed Chicago architect), opened in 1916 and was renovated just a decade ago for $187m. But on January 13th Forrec, a Toronto-based firm, proposed a new renovation, expected to cost as least as much as the last. Navy Pier is in need of a boost: it has been in the black in just four of the last ten years.

To draw more visitors, Forrec proposes adding several flashy attractions, including a monorail, a floating hotel, an indoor water park and a Ferris wheel. The plans have earned a mixed response from McPier, Chicago’s Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority. One official said these changes might turn the pier into “a bunch of junk”. Critics also point out that a private hotel might undermine the waterfront as a public preserve (indeed, a hotel was rejected ten years ago for this very reason). It remains unclear who will fund the project, or even whether any of the scheme will go ahead. McPier officials will decide by the end of the year.

School cuts

Arne Duncan, the superintendent of Chicago’s troubled school system, outlined a budgetary nightmare at a meeting on January 23rd. Imminent budget cuts for the 2006-07 academic year could lead to larger high-school classes, fewer new and vocational schools, and decreased support for special education, after-school programmes and full-day kindergarten. But with a $328m budget gap, Mr Duncan has little choice but to slash spending. Critics blame the deficit on declining enrolment as children of the baby boomers graduate from high school—the system has 20,000 fewer students than it did two years ago. Increased pension and benefits for teachers have been a further drain on funds. Mr Duncan already plans to fire 600 teachers because of dwindling enrolment; without a new infusion of funds, even more could face the axe.

But the state may be able to help: Rod Blagojevich, the governor of Illinois, says he will push the legislature to meet Mr Duncan’s request to increase state funding by $100m. Richard Daley, Chicago’s mayor, may also approve a property-tax increase, which could raise as much as $55m and allow high-school class sizes to remain at 28 students, instead of jumping to 31.

A bid for 2016?

They are costly, hectic and risky, so why would any big city want to host the Olympics? Los Angeles made a $215m profit from the games it hosted in 1984, but most Olympic hosts are left with severe fiscal hangovers. Now Chicago—undaunted by New York’s failed bid for the 2012 games—is considering throwing its name into the ring for 2016. Mr Daley suggested the idea in December.

At the centre of the bid is a new 80,000-seat Olympic stadium (the renovated Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears American football team, seats a paltry 61,500), which Mr Daley says can house a new National Football League franchise after the games. But no franchise seems forthcoming, and the stadium will probably sit empty. Chicago’s Olympic dreams may be grounded before long: the United States Olympic Committee could decide by this spring that it does not want to vie for the 2016 games at all.

Standing up

On January 18th fans of the Chicago Bulls basketball team watched Antonio Davis, a player for the New York Knicks, as he leapt into the stands at Chicago’s United Centre. Many may have believed they were witnessing a reprise of a more serious tussle in 2004, when a shoving match between two players in Michigan escalated into the worst fight in the history of the National Basketball Association. At the time, a fan had hurled a drink at Ron Artest, a forward for the Indiana Pacers, prompting Mr Artest and several team-mates to rush into the stands. As a result, in November 2004 nine players were suspended for a total of 143 games.

Sports commentators have been quick to draw a distinction between Mr Artest and Mr Davis: whereas the former, who had a history of erratic behaviour, actually pummelled a fan, the latter is a model player who threw no punches. Moreover, Mr Davis believed his wife was being harassed in the stands, apparently by a drunken fan. The fan contends he was sober, and that Mrs Davis provoked and scratched him. The incident ended with no serious injuries, but Mr Davis received a five-game suspension and the fan—who happens to be the son of a Chicago Democratic Party kingmaker—is suing the player for battery and defamation.

The people rest

After four months of testimony from more than 70 witnesses, the government will finally rest its case in the trial of George Ryan, a former governor of Illinois. Federal prosecutors hope to finish their arguments by the last week of January.

Mr Ryan and Larry Warner, a long-time friend, are charged with a 22-count indictment for racketeering, mail fraud and more; Mr Ryan stands accused of steering lucrative state contracts to Mr Warner and other friends in exchange for holidays and other gifts. Both men claim they have done nothing wrong. The chance of a total acquittal is slim, but Mr Ryan, now 71, may be relieved that the process is almost over: prosecutors launched their inquiry more than seven years ago.

Catch if you can

February 2006

Alexander Calder in Focus

Until August 27th 2006

Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Arts hosts an annual exhibition devoted to Alexander Calder, an inventive painter, sculptor, jewellery designer and mobile-maker. (He was also the proud creator of “stabiles”, the term he invented to distinguish his stationary sculptures from his moving ones.) This year's exhibit is devoted to works Calder created between 1927 and 1968. Unlike quite a few of his modernist peers, who drew inspiration from the city, Calder often found his muse in nature. His pieces transform snowflakes and birds into free-standing, whimsical designs. For an extra treat, this show includes an odd but compelling miniature circus he created in the 1920s, all of it made from wire and scraps.

Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 East Chicago Ave. Tel: +1 (312) 280-2660. Open: Tues-Sun, 10am-5pm (Tues to 8pm). Entry: $10 (free on Tuesdays). For more information, visit the museum’s website.

More from the Chicago cultural calendar