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I Inhabit a Covid-19 Minefieldbadjackon October 7, 2020 at 8:50 pm

The Amused Curmudgeon

I Inhabit a Covid-19 Minefield

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I Inhabit a Covid-19 Minefieldbadjackon October 7, 2020 at 8:50 pm Read More »

Pence cleaned Harris’ clockDennis Byrneon October 8, 2020 at 2:56 am

The Barbershop: Dennis Byrne, Proprietor

Pence cleaned Harris’ clock

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Pence cleaned Harris’ clockDennis Byrneon October 8, 2020 at 2:56 am Read More »

Podcast: Reading the first three chapters from the book ‘Taking the Paranormal and Spiritual Seriously’ and Defending Trick or Treating in 2020. Also, a Free Mason interview, a woman interviewed who’s home is haunted. Chicago Paranormal Investigator interviewed and more with your host Chicago Psychic Medium Edward Shanahan.Edward Shanahanon October 8, 2020 at 3:14 am

Chicago Paranormal and Spiritual

Podcast: Reading the first three chapters from the book ‘Taking the Paranormal and Spiritual Seriously’ and Defending Trick or Treating in 2020. Also, a Free Mason interview, a woman interviewed who’s home is haunted. Chicago Paranormal Investigator interviewed and more with your host Chicago Psychic Medium Edward Shanahan.

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Podcast: Reading the first three chapters from the book ‘Taking the Paranormal and Spiritual Seriously’ and Defending Trick or Treating in 2020. Also, a Free Mason interview, a woman interviewed who’s home is haunted. Chicago Paranormal Investigator interviewed and more with your host Chicago Psychic Medium Edward Shanahan.Edward Shanahanon October 8, 2020 at 3:14 am Read More »

Chicago Craft Beer Weekend, October 9-11Mark McDermotton October 8, 2020 at 3:24 am

The Beeronaut

Chicago Craft Beer Weekend, October 9-11

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Chicago Craft Beer Weekend, October 9-11Mark McDermotton October 8, 2020 at 3:24 am Read More »

Why shouldn’t Illinois tax retirement income?Dennis Byrneon October 8, 2020 at 6:20 am

The Barbershop: Dennis Byrne, Proprietor

Why shouldn’t Illinois tax retirement income?

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Why shouldn’t Illinois tax retirement income?Dennis Byrneon October 8, 2020 at 6:20 am Read More »

Public Enemy keep asking the hard questions on What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down?Salem Collo-Julinon October 7, 2020 at 5:00 pm

New York hip-hop pioneers Public Enemy put together a music video for “Fight the Power: Remix 2020” to kick off June’s BET Awards, which was broadcast in the shadow of continuing street protests against police brutality triggered by the killing of George Floyd. They’d made the original version of “Fight the Power” for the soundtrack of Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing, and though that 1989 film–with its focus on racial divides, police brutality, and gentrification–could be seen as forecasting 2020, it was describing struggles that date back at least to 1619. As Chuck D raps in the track, there’s “nothing but rednecks for 400 years if you check.” The updated “Fight the Power” includes new guest verses from Nas, Black Thought, Rapsody, Jahi, and YG that echo the original’s rallying call for Black, Brown, and other marginalized people to rise up, updated for our times; as Rapsody deftly reminds the listener, “You love Black Panther but not Fred Hampton.” When it comes to sociopolitical commentary, Public Enemy haven’t been at a loss for words even once since Chuck D and Flavor Flav cofounded the group in 1985, and their dedication to politically educating their listeners comes through loud and clear on their new album, What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down? (Def Jam). In addition to the refreshed “Fight the Power,” the record features new mixes of six tracks that originally appeared on the 2017 album Nothing Is Quick in the Desert (offered for free download exclusively on Bandcamp for about a week surrounding Independence Day). While not every song carried over from Nothing Is Quick is a winner (we could’ve done without hearing Daddy-O deadnaming Caitlyn Jenner again on “Yesterday Man”), the smooth-groove protest track “Beat Them All” deserves a second hearing–and not just because it encourages political action against shoddy leadership. One of the new songs on What You Gonna Do, “State of the Union (STFU),” is a fun collaboration with the great DJ Premier (formerly of Gang Starr). It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the message–an impassioned demand that the current leaders of the country “shut the fuck up”–and it’s absolutely delightful to hear Chuck D join Flavor Flav in the song’s chorus. Public Enemy were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2013, and the Smithsonian has Chuck D’s boombox, but the group aren’t resting on their laurels anytime soon–not while there’s still a revolution that needs a soundtrack. v

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Public Enemy keep asking the hard questions on What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down?Salem Collo-Julinon October 7, 2020 at 5:00 pm Read More »

COVID-19 craps out state gambling tax revenue by $200 million, but sports betting off to strong startMitchell Armentrouton October 8, 2020 at 12:07 am

Illinois’ three-month COVID-19 shutdown left the state $200 million in the hole in terms of gambling tax revenue, as casino profits were slashed by nearly a third compared to last year.

And while the bright lights have been flipped back on at the state’s 10 casinos and 36,000-plus video gaming terminals, it’s no sure bet those revenues will jump back to normal anytime soon, according to a report released this week by the state’s bipartisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.

“Even with the resumption of wagering, it is expected that the ramifications of the pandemic on public confidence will persist for some time,” state analyst Eric Noggle said in the report.

Gaming was put on hold along with thousands of other businesses statewide for the duration of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s pandemic stay-at-home order from March 16 through the end of June, which also marked the end of the state’s fiscal year.

Casinos raked in $943 million, plummeting 30% from the previous fiscal year’s haul of $1.4 billion — with the coronavirus shutdown putting a brutal exclamation mark on an eighth consecutive year of casino losses.

The state’s most lucrative gambling house, Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, suffered a 27% revenue loss of about $119 million.

“No one could predict COVID-19 and the impact it would have on the gaming industry and the entire economy,” Rivers general manager Corey Wise said, adding that “COVID protocols have been well received and successful” since reopening in July.

A security guard stationed at the front door gives a face mask to a guest before he can enter Rivers Casino in Des Plaines on the first day of reopening following July 1.
A security guard stationed at the front door gives a face mask to a guest before he can enter Rivers Casino in Des Plaines on the first day of reopening following July 1.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Video gambling terminals not in casinos took a 23% hit, sucking down $1.2 billion of gamblers’ money compared to $1.6 billion the year prior.

On top of that, Illinois Lottery sales fell $173 million to $2.8 billion. That’s the lottery’s worst one-year decline since the 1970s, a 5.8% falloff that Noggle attributed to the pandemic because “customers were more likely to stay at home and some retailers may not have been open.”

Overall, gambling tax revenue for the state fell by 13.4% to $1.2 billion. That’s just another headache for Pritzker as he scrambles to make ends meet after the pandemic fired a $2.7 billion hole into his spending plan. The Democratic governor has ordered his cabinet directors to plan for a “nightmare scenario” of budget cuts of at least 5% this fiscal year and 10% in the next one.

But a new gaming revenue stream is showing promising early returns. Gamblers plunked down nearly $140 million in sports bets in August, Illinois’ second full month of legal sports betting.

Among the state’s seven sportsbooks, the house held about $7.2 million of that handle, pumping about $1.1 million into state coffers.

The state had hoped to see some of that money sooner, as the industry launched just days ahead of the COVID-19 shutdown. Just $12,224 was collected in sports betting tax revenue by the end of June.

But the proliferation of mobile sports betting options — and the return of most major American sports — have sent those numbers skyrocketing since July. Illinois bettors put down $52.5 million during that first full month of sports wagering.

Numbers are expected to keep ballooning with five online sportsbooks live statewide. Nearly 90% of the Illinois’ August sports betting handle was placed online.

State analysts are still hedging their bets though, with Noggle writing that “while these revenue amounts are sure to increase in FY 2021, the extent that this will occur remains uncertain due to the lingering impact of COVID-19 on sports events.”

The state is also counting on six new casinos authorized under last year’s gambling expansion law to eventually start generating cash.

“However, questions remain on the extent that gaming revenues will increase given the plethora of gaming opportunities that already exist and the potential ramifications of the virus on the economy and discretionary spending,” Noggle said.

The Illinois Gaming Board has until the end of the month to issue license decisions on casino applicants — but that appears on track to be delayed. The board isn’t scheduled to meet again until Nov. 5.

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COVID-19 craps out state gambling tax revenue by $200 million, but sports betting off to strong startMitchell Armentrouton October 8, 2020 at 12:07 am Read More »

Chicago Ranks as the Best City in America to Visit, AgainBrian Lendinoon October 8, 2020 at 12:54 am

“One town that won’t let you down, It’s my kind of town!”

For the fourth year in a row Chicago has been voted as the best city in America to visit by Condé Nast Traveler. Welcome to what Michael Jordan could never do: Four Peat.

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The annual event polled over 700,000 readers of the travel publication between April and June and it seems that 700,000-plus readers know what they’re talking about. Chicago is the best big city in America to visit and from someone who’s most definitely not biased by any means, let me tell you why.

Everywhere you turn there’s something new for you to discover. As an individual who has lived here their entire life, I’m still finding out new things about my environment. And I know what you’re going to say about the murder rates and violence Chicago is so mercilessly ravaged for in the national media and how can this city possibly be voted for anything positive knowing that. But in all honesty, the Chicago portrayed in the media vs the Chicago people genuinely experience is like comparing Mitchell Trubisky between the 20’s and Mitchell Trubisky in the red zone.

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Also, we have deep dish pizza. I hate that greasy sauce puddle that people call food but tourists love it and I can guarantee you that Chicago ranks high for places to visit because of joints like Gino’s East, Lou Malnati’s, and Giordano’s. If you’re ever in Chicago on a trip and want to eat some real authentic Chicago food, call me. Or drop a line in the comment section. I’ll take you on a food tour that would make Anthony Bourdain rise from his grave. Rest in Peace, king.

The city is not without its flaws. No city is. However, this award is a testament to the great things the city offers despite being in the national spotlight for those flaws. Chicago is a metropolis of immense diversity. I call it the city of neighborhoods with each of those neighborhoods being a representation of a different culture, ethnicity, or characteristic of people. It’s something you cannot find anywhere else in the world and that’s what makes it such an attraction for people to visit.

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Best Pizza Places in Chicago
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View the Best Pizza Restaurants in Chicago, Ranked

Chicago is already the best city in America to visit, but you need to eat. View our list of the top 50 pizza restaurants in the city.

View the Best Pizza Places in Chicago

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There’s something for everyone to experience here, and no, that doesn’t just mean Navy Pier or going to the bean. It doesn’t just mean the Michael Jordan statue, Wrigley Field, or Lake Michigan—though for some it does. And that’s the point. If you want to experience sports Chicago, there’s a ton of that. Food Chicago? Even more of it. Architectural and historical Chicago, ohhhhh sheesh is there enough to fill 15 schedules for you.

It provides you the depth of New York City without the smell and you can do it without maxing out you PTO calendar. It’s the City by the Lake, the Windy City, or the City of Neighborhoods.

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It’s Chicago, and it’s my kind of town. So come visit because we are, in fact, Number 1.

At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.

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Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!

Featured Image Credit: Chicago Theater

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Chicago Ranks as the Best City in America to Visit, AgainBrian Lendinoon October 8, 2020 at 12:54 am Read More »

Chicago Bears: 3 crucial actions Matt Nagy must take vs. BucsRyan Heckmanon October 7, 2020 at 11:00 am

Chicago Bears (Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports)
Chicago Bears (Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports)
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Chicago Bears (Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports)

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy continues to be plagued by the same errors he made all of 2019.

There may not be a worse 3-1 team in the NFL in recent memory. The Chicago Bears are overly fortunate to have won three of their first four and boast this record a quarter of the way through the season.

Already, the Bears have amped up the quarterback controversy with Matt Nagy choosing to roll with Nick Foles over Mitchell Trubisky. While Foles provided a lift against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3, this past week was a different story.

Not to get the debate going again, but Foles’ presence on Sunday didn’t help the cause much. The problem wasn’t necessarily all Foles, though.

Nagy looked like he learned absolutely nothing from his mistakes a year ago when the Bears were a mediocre 8-8. He no longer looks like the offensive genius he was advertised to be when coming over from the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018. His first year was a honeymoon. Since then, Nagy has been average at best in every aspect of coaching.

Whether it be how he handles injuries and how they relate to answering media questions, whom he chooses to give second, third and fourth chances (looking at you, Anthony Miller) or the head-scratching play calls, Nagy has plenty to improve upon.

If he doesn’t, both he and general manager Ryan Pace will be out after this year if the brass is smart. It’s difficult to still believe in Nagy when he continues to make the same mistakes, but we’ve seen him be capable of much more.

This Thursday night, he and the Bears have a quick turnaround against Tom Brady and the high-flying Bucs offense. The defense can only do so much with so little help on offense, and Nagy is going to need to make some adjustments.

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Chicago Bears: 3 crucial actions Matt Nagy must take vs. BucsRyan Heckmanon October 7, 2020 at 11:00 am Read More »