Chicago - A message from the station manager

The [Monday] Papers

By Steve Rhodes

“A men’s homeless shelter on Chicago’s North Side is scheduled to close days before Christmas, and staff members are reckoning with the reality that many participants lack options as the weather turns dangerously cold,” WBEZ reports.
“North Side Housing and Supportive Services’ Interim Housing Program for Men, at the Preston Bradley Center in the Uptown neighborhood, aims to close its doors for good Dec. 23.”


The program has 72 residents.
“The program was unable to raise about $100,000 in private money it needed to qualify for $400,000 in public funds, which make up the bulk of its budget.”
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“In the past five years, there has been a dramatic decrease in shelters and emergency shelter beds, said Richard Ducatenzeiler, executive director of the North Side Housing and Supportive Services. Not having enough money is not a good excuse when new, expensive projects are being announced, Ducatenzeiler said,” the Tribune reports.
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“The shelter asked the city for additional funds to help with the cost, but the Department of Family and Support Services has said there’s no additional funds and it can’t issue a contract without a State budget, Ducatenzeiler said,” DNAinfo Chicago reports.
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Maybe they can stay with Bruce Rauner in the Governor’s Mansion. Rahm Emanuel could get his brother Ari and former chief of staff Lisa Schrader to get Uber to give them free rides down there.
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“The Preston Bradley Center is a beautiful landmark building with a storied history; it’s a federal nonprofit 501(c)(3); it’s a center for arts, culture and community.”
Show Goes On
“Chicago’s busiest TV and film studio is getting another hand from the government: a property-tax cut that will shift an estimated $4 million burden onto other taxpayers over the next dozen years, according to a Chicago Sun-Times analysis.
“That’s on top of more than $17 million in grants that Cinespace Chicago Film Studios – home to Chicago Fire, Empire, and other hit TV shows and movies – has gotten from the state of Illinois.”
Here’s an idea: A new show called Chicago Homeless, with a cast of 72.
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Studio spokesman Eric Herman tells the Sun-Times:

When Cinespace came to Chicago in 2011, this property housed a defunct steel plant. The owners had shut down operations, cut more than 1,500 jobs and had no plans to invest. Cinespace purchased the campus – warts and all – and rehabbed it to build an economic catalyst.
This action will help Cinespace continue its mission of bringing 7,500 film-related jobs and $3 billion in spending to Illinois and providing an economic engine for North Lawndale.

Actually it sounds like taxpayers are footing the bill for a significant part of Cinespace’s economic impact.

Cinespace is a family-owned business headed by former real estate developer Alex Pissios. It began buying the Ryerson Steel property in 2011, aiming to build what the company calls the biggest movie studio east of Los Angeles.
Pissios’ company spent $12.25 million to buy the former steel factory buildings, which are spread over several blocks, and convert them to production facilities for TV shows and movies.
Between 2009 and 2010, Cinespace got four state grants totaling $17.3 million to renovate the Ryerson property. Quinn’s administration handed it a fifth grant, for another $10 million, just hours before he left office last year.

So Cinespace spent $12.25 million to buy the property, then got $27.3 million to renovate it? Where can I sign up for a deal like that?
Eric Herman, who is a former Sun-Times reporter, you are Today’s Worst Person In Chicago.
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“But Gov. Bruce Rauner forced the studio to return the [last $10 million] after the Sun-Times reported that the state gave Cinespace the money to buy additional land that apparently wasn’t for sale.”
Hey, that would make a great plot line!
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SportsMonday: Bears Loss A Win-Win
Still competing, still losing. Perfect!
Making Weekend Plans Can Ruin Your Weekend
Just play it loose, baby!
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BeachBook
Did Ari Emanuel Cover For Donald Trump On The Miss Universe Tapes?

Hint: Yes.
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Class Action Suit: McDonald’s Value Meal No Value At All.

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The Lost Ancient City Of Cahokia, Illinois.

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In 1949, Hysteria Swept Through Downstate Mattoon, As Residents Reported A Paralyzing Gas Being Sprayed Into Their Bedrooms.

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Public Invited To 117-Year-Old Holiday Tradition.

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More Downsizing.

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TweetWood
A sampling.


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The Beachwood Tronc Line: Go rogue.

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Posted on December 19, 2016