“Can we go into Chicago Dad?”
I’ve been asked this question a lot lately.
Before Covid I’d take the Shepkids for a jaunt into Chicago and show them the things my dad showed me years ago.
Then Covid, Lori Lightfoot and a Chicago Police Department that has been trimmed by 1600 officers since 2020 happened.
So the painful reply is, “I’m not going into Chicago without a plan.”
It kills me that I’m scared to take the kids in for a Maxwell Polish sausage
Or down to 31st beach
Or Maggie Daley Park
Or the Lower Wacker BillyGoat.
Or Chinatown
My dad would tell me to be in his car in five minutes ago.
And we’d go off on an adventure!
Today we are looking for bakeries… Today we are going to find a shoe store, a hat store, a cigar shop.
This morning you are taking a driving lesson.
Leave Oak Park taking the Eisenhower to lower Wacker Drive. Come up from Lower Wacker and get on Lake Street. Take Lake Street back to Oak Park… The Don Shepley Driving academy.
Let’s find German restaurants today.
We are searching for evidence of old street car lines this morning.
Let’s see if we can find old taverns with Schlitz globes in the facade.
Hot dog stands, ice cream and malted shops, soul food restaurants, fried shrimp joints, chili bars…. My dad knew where they were and he passed his knowledge on to me. The whole time explaining the Chicago Grid.
I’m scared shitless to take my kids on the old Don Shepley journeys.
Do I blame Lori Lightfoot for MY fear to journey into the city by the lake?
She will probably be gone next year, but the problems left behind will take years to rehabilitate.
Things were better when Mr. Accardo and Mayor Daley ran things.
