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In his first inaugural address as Chicago mayor in April 1983, Harold Washington said he’d like to be “remembered by history as the mayor who cared about people and who was, above all, fair.” Those words are emblazoned on a plaque next to the front door of one of the most substantial memorials to the late mayor — the city’s main library on State Street in the South Loop. Not including the many murals, posters, and museum exhibits that honor Washington, who was Chicago’s first African-American mayor, there are eight buildings and parks named for the late mayor — more than any other former mayor of Chicago.
In the fall of 1959, at the height of the post-World War II baby boom, Chicago Public Schools opened about a dozen new buildings across the city. One of those buildings, Bogan High School, would later reflect the city’s postwar racial tensions. At the time, most public schools in Chicago had a traditional pillared look, but the “Class of ’59” schools were mostly sleek, modern buildings. And Bogan was no exception. Bogan was designed by Naess & Murphy, an architecture firm best known for One Prudential Plaza and the FBI’s J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington, D.C. With a series of long bars lined with windows, the school is a classic example of late-1950s modernism. Inside, a handful of original remnants remain. The school logo has been emblazoned on the floor for 60 years, as have the kicky multicolored tiles on the pool deck. Other remains from the ’50s include the auditorium stage, slender metal handrails along the staircases and lettering on faculty restroom doors.
It’s rainy and cloudy outside today, and the weather will be a mixed bag for the rest of the week. But don’t let the weather dampen your spirits or your plans. If you’re looking for ways to enjoy your weekend despite the weather forecast, we’ve got you covered. Chicago-based freelance journalist Jay Gentile stops by Morning Shift with his recommendations on what to see, hear and eat in and around Chicago this weekend.
Jacqueline Stewart has made history as the first African-American host at Turner Classic Movies. The University of Chicago professor took over the network’s “Silent Sunday Nights” program on earlier this month. Morning Shift sits down with Prof. Steart for more on her new role at TCM. GUEST: Jacqueline Stewart, professor of cinema and media studies at the University of Chicago; host of “Silent Sunday Nights” on Turner Classic Movies LEARN MORE: Jacqueline Stewart Becomes First African American Host at Turner Classic Movies (Hollywood Reporter 9/9/19)
The Chicago Teachers Union on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. Several Illinois Democrats are now backing an impeachment process against President Donald Trump. Plus, federal agents raided multiple local government offices this week. Morning Shift breaks down the biggest local and state news of the week in the Friday News Roundup with host Jenn White. GUEST: Mary Ann Ahern, NBC Chicago political reporter Dave McKinney, WBEZ state politics reporter Amanda Vinicky, WTTW political correspondent
Starting next week, applications for 75 new marijuana store licenses in Illinois will be open until Jan. 1. While the Pritzker administration is optimistic recreational sales will start on time, many marijuana businesses worry they won’t be ready by then. That’s because a number of administrative rules over recreational pot have yet to be proposed. Morning Shift looks into some of the concerns pot businesses have about the application process beginning Oct. 1 and recreational sales coming next year.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made the announcement of a formal impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump on Tuesday. The move comes after reports that Trump pressured the president of Ukraine to open a corruption investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden, one of the frontrunners vying for the Democratic nomination in 2020. If the inquiry leads to a vote, President Trump would become just the fourth president in American history to face impeachment. Morning Shift checks in with a congressional reporter who’s been following this story and an Illinois Congressman who supports an impeachment inquiry.
Members of the Chicago Teachers Union started voting Tuesday on whether to authorize a strike, after months of tense contract negotiations with Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Public Schools. If 75% vote yes, union leaders say teachers could walk out as early as Oct. 7. Morning Shift checks in with the union president for the latest on the strike vote and what comes next.