From the Department of How Things Really Work here at Grub Street Chicago, we’ve got a story from the Sun-Times that demonstrates how a well-connected place gets what it wants from the city— and from you, the public. Rush Street power-dining steak joint Gibson’s had a sidewalk cafe which ate up most of the sidewalk and made getting past all those Type A’s choking down red meat difficult, especially for moms with strollers and people like that. Gibson’s solution— create more sidewalk, by extending it six feet into the public-owned street for Gibson’s benefit. The alderman encouraged it. The city’s Department of Transportation said no. Gibson’s hired zoning lawyer Jack George, whose partner is named Michael Daley, who has a brother named Richie. Suddenly it was a great idea! And it happened before the neighbors could do anything about it! And you’ll never guess what restaurant’s owner held a fundraiser for Mayor Emanuel, and has donated nearly $44,000 to his local alderman! [Sun-Times]
