I have a buddy who owns a small Chicago suburbs based vitamin and mineral supplement company. He makes a slug of money and owns a place near his suburban business, plus he rents a one BR apartment in Old Town, just on the SW corner of Lincoln Park. It’s a nice joint which costs him $2700 per month.............he weekends in the city.
He told me yesterday that if the violent “peaceful” protests get closer to his rental (and they just happened one mile away), that he will leave his Chicago apartment (Eugene Terrace) after renting there for 20 years. He can't be the only one thinking that way. The weak response from city government has encouraged and emboldened those who are causing property damage. The crooks are either not prosecuted, or they are given a slap on the wrist.
Steve is the kind of guy that the city needs in downtown, and they're about to lose him. Others will follow.