According to a story in today’s online version of the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicagoans don’t necessarily agree with Illinois Government.

The Sun Times piece, titled “A year in the hoods“, paints a picture that is certainly nothing shy of a slap in the face to our founding fathers. The first half of the piece talks of citizens having to constantly fight with government over corrupt moves for money and power.

From money hungry Aldermen looking to “condemn” perfectly good buildings in order to legally steal the property and sell it to wealthy condo developers, to the Chicago mayor calling citizens “racists” for not supporting a children’s museum, Illinois has a plethora of corrupt politicians with little interest in doing what is right for the public and full intent on power grabs.

But Chicagoans are a breed who, when pushed, have no problem pushing back.

As the paper points out, when asked about Mayor Daley’s comments about racism, a local had this to say.

“Who is he to say we’re racist? He grew up in Bridgeport. Please. Give me a frigging break,” said Ariel Elliot, a black mother of three girls. “I don’t think he knows about our neighborhood. I mean, has he walked his large tuchus over her to see the place? He had no clue.”

Heh… my kind of thinking!

And when Alderman Schulter (who is married to a woman that is HEAVILY entrenched in the development community) sent out letters to business owners in Lincoln Square, he was quickly introduced to his match. The business owners organized a community and web based effort called “Save Lincoln Square“. The Save Lincoln Square effort marched a crowd of several hundred to Shulter’s office in freezing cold weather and demanded he back off his corrupt efforts.

It worked.. for now.

Yes, Chicagoans are of a wonderful mindset. The people here are a careful blend of the east and west coast mentalities… not too aggressive, but not too laid back. And while many believe Illinois to be a “liberal” state, I find it to be quite libertarian.

Chicago is a great city, Chicagoans are a great people, and being here for two months now makes me a part of the community. I’m proud to be here… and I love this place!

I got off topic there… where were we? Oh, yes. The Sun-Times story. Read the rest here.

Happy New Years!