Rogers Park Talks

Field Trip

Today we drove south to Promontory Point. It's past the loop in that far away land known as the "south side." Great news, the skyline is just as beautiful from the south as it is from the north. I can see why the community there wants to keep Promontory Point the way it is. In a way it reminds me of Rogers Park with the diversity and all the regular folks I saw strolling with children or jogging. I did see more joggers than around here though. . . . . More

Posted by Jocelyn


Hyde Park and South Shore are wonderful communities. Many people feel that South Shore is very similar to Rogers Park and if you were to drive around and look at the architecture of the community you would see many of the same courtyard buildings and other similas such buildings. Hyde Park is a gem. A quick ride in the right places and you will see the incredable homes/mansions that remind you of Hyde Parks place in Chicago's wealthy society.

As for Bibs and Ribs, as someone who has been going there for years I have to agree that it is good. The downside has always been that it is really slow. I sure would like to see Rogers Park get a genuine south side style or branch of an existing place. Great BBQ is hard to find on the northside.

Labels: 49th Ward, 60626, Bibs and Ribs, Hyde Park, Rogers Park, South Shore

Posted by RPT at 12:02 AM | Permalink | Comments

HEARTLAND CAFE VIOLATES LIQUOR LAW

Kudos to Craig at Broken Heart for digging into this story. When RPB first hinted at this story last week, it set off a small firestorm of whispers and gossip. The rumors are true. The accusations are true. The Heartland Cafe, a vile institution with a door open to vermin and rats, whose sister bar the Red Line Tap maintained a broken window for six months, whose partner
Michael James rents five garage spaces to unlicensed food vendors, is in serious breach of the conditions of it liquor license.

Oh, but folks, this is just the beginning. Wait until you what's next. Scandal, scandal, scandal. Just wait. . . . More

Posted by Tom Mannis

If there were any doubt that Mr. Bench has no objectivity on the Heartland Cafe this should be enough to erase that idea.

Labels: 49th Ward, 60626, Heartland Cafe, Rogers Park

Posted by RPT at 11:56 PM | Permalink | Comments

* Heartland Cafe Violates Liquor Law

On August 20th, a City of Chicago inspector visited the Heartland Cafe at 7000 North Glenwood after receiving a citizen complaint. On that day, the Heartland Cafe was cited for a liquor license violation. The Michael James/Katy Hogan owned establishment did not have a license that include their patio area. Yet they were serving liquor on the patio anyhow. . . . . More

Posted by Craig Gernhardt


I rarely comment on the comments people make on the posts because they are often so far out that it is scary. This post about the Heartland is amazing. But as is so often the case, the comments are rediculous. The basic assumptions are 1.) those that except everything written as true, 2.) those who may be willing to entertain it could be false, but it is still okay because Mr. Hole is holding the line on a local business, and 3.) those who want some facts to document it is true which ranges from people who don't believe it to people who are cautious about believing it.

One thing that I will say is that the city doesn't have jurisdiction to investigate labor complaints so that part already sounds like it has problems. The problem with the patio may or may not be true, but given that Mr. Bench and Mr. Hole have problems with the owners of the Heartland you would be wise to take anything they say about the Heartland with a healthy degree of skepticism. I don't think it is impossible that the Heartland could be wrong about something. I think there is plenty of evidence that Bench and Hole don't have any respect for the truth. Without any actual evidence this type of posting is grossly irresponsible and could make both of the subject to being sued if it isn't true.

The claims of political corruption are also baseless. Their isn't a single shred of evidence presented and if there were the slightest bit of evidence that some political influence was determining the outcome I think it is perfectly clear that the political and legal environment we live in today would respond immediately.

Finally, the Helen Schiller connection to all of this is intended to mean what? Who knows.

Labels: 49th Ward, 60626, Heartland Cafe, Rogers Park

Posted by RPT at 11:37 PM | Permalink | Comments

Sunday, September 02, 2007
Huberman Speaketh
More doom and gloom from Huber-the-man.

Save your money on a Chicago Card. That is if you have any extra money laying around. If you can afford a Chicago Card, save the change for yourself.

When living elsewhere in Chicago, I’d take the spare change that had accumulated in the change jar, pockets, and purse and fill my CTA card on Sunday morning. It was almost like being in Vegas. Please don’t do this at rush hour – there are enough people doing that already. . . . . More

Posted by Toni


The crisis at the CTA, PACE and Metra is very real and very important. The problem these agencies face is that every time they go to those who fund them asking for more money they never get a real solution. What they actually get is a new band-aid. Covering things over for one more year compounds the problems that will come down the road. A real funding solution is needed and one of our local officials, Rep. Julie Hamos, seems to have worked out the best plan. Raising local taxes to find permanent fund should help to stabilize the RTA rather than patch it up until next year.

Labels: 49th Ward, 60626, CTA, Rogers Park, RTA

Posted by RPT at 11:31 PM | Permalink | Comments

September 2, 2007

* Suffredin Seeks New Office

Breaking Political News from the 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park:

Although nothing is listed on his website, 13th district Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin has decided to run for Cook County States Attorney now that Dick Devine has announced his retirement.

Joining on as Suffredin's powerhouse team are - Abner Mikva, Thomas Moore, Debra Shore and Anthony Young.

Although he claims to be a independent, Suffredin has been growing political tentacles to the corrupt Stroger/Fagus Machine. . . . . More

Posted by Craig Gernhardt


Just a few thoughts about this post. I think Suffredin has done a good job of keeping the website referred to as a government website about county government. It doesn't go into strictly political issues. Secondly, it is widely accepted by everyone accept a few in the 49th Ward that Moore and Fagus are political independents and have a long track record to support that. There are many political people who would quickly agree. The constant use of the idea that corruption is wide spread is unfounded and unfair. Corruption clear is intended to imply illegal activity. What exactly is it? If someone doesn't agree with you they are not criminals or corrupt.

In general, Suffredin has done a good job as a Cook County Commissioner and is well respected for his knowledge and leadership on the County Board. He has made good decisions and has refused to fall into the cycle of us v. them politics. I hope he takes a chance and runs.

Labels: 49th Ward, 60626, Rogers Park, Suffredin

Posted by RPT at 10:23 PM | Permalink | Comments