Forgot to note, that I just recently published a page for the 2011 elections.

2011 Election

This was the election where President Obama's former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was elected Mayor of Chicago. He had a tumultuous two terms as mayor and fun fact 2011 was the last time a candidate outright won the mayoral election without having to go to a run-off.

In 2015, Mayor Emanuel was in a runoff with then Cook County Commissioner Chuy Garcia. In 2019, Lori Lightfoot won the mayor's race against Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. And then in 2023 then Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson defeats former Chicago Public School CEO Paul Vallas.

Question is what would 2027 hold. We're at more than the halfway point for the next municipal elections here in Chicago.

Also, it causes me to want to tweak the 2015 and 2019 pages to include the mayoral race. I've included in all these election pages the Ward 9 Alderman election as that's the race that should be very important, not just the mayoral race.

Feel free to let me know if there's anything I should add to these pages.

Also for the record this is now Ward 9 looked up until 2015.

110th/Michigan back in 1912 #tbt

 I found this through the Roseland Chicago FB group with this caption:

Black and white HR Koopman postcard showing Michigan Avenue in Roseland looking south from 110th Street, 1912. Chicago's other "Magnificent Mile".

I wish we could bring back the hustle & bustle to this street. In my own research I've learned longtime residents at least before "white flight" would refer to Michigan Avenue as The Avenue. You see from one of the signs here to the right.

This is about how this same area looks now via Google Streetview in 2011. You head south on Michigan Avenue from 110th Street you see a bend, especially near that storefront that used to be Major Motors on the east side of the street. 

Click for better resolution

Chicago Like a Local: Chicago’s Lime Scooter Problem

 Before sharing this video, I had been for the past month or so documenting scooters that have been left on my street overtime. And in my opinion these scooters were left on the sidewalk on my street as an afterthought. Many of these scooters are in the way and are obstacles.

My solution is that these scooters need to be left in designated areas. Such as a bus stop, however, I understand that with these Lime scooters that's not allowed. So what do we do?

Also these scooters are supposed to be locked on bike racks, however, this might be inconvenient to bikers. That's not a "perfect" solution either.

Downtown I witnessed scooters being docked, just like these Divvy Bikes. And there are some of them in the community. Why can't these be placed at these docks?

Thankfully if you're tired of these scooters being left around the community and being in the way of pedestrians, one solution is to call 311. 

You can always visit the 311 site here or with your smartphone you can use the 311 app. And using the website and app you can send the city pictures of these scooters that you want removed.

Now with this knowledge this is something I'm taking advantage of to clear the sidewalks of these scooters. Allow me to share the video from Chicago Like a Local on YouTube. [VIDEO]

Allow me to open the floor to you all. If you walk on the sidewalk are you annoyed with these scooters being left on the sidewalks? What would you like to see done about it? Would you prefer that these scooters are left in designated areas.

#tbt South Michigan Avenue 1970s

 Actually I don't know when this photo was taking. I presume 1970s looking at the cars.

Earlier on Thursday "business" took me into Roseland and decided to snap a few shots. I can't stand the ruin porn, a lot of vacant storefronts. 

You see that Hillman's sign? That used to be a grocery store. This is a block or so north of 115th Street. The old Hillman's store faces a Chicago Fire Department firehouse. The only grocery store appears to be home to a medical facility of some sort.

And this isn't that far away from the Red Line Extension to be built near 115th & Michigan.

In fact to give credit where credit is due, this photo was shared on the Red Line Extension FB page.

Also allow me to announce you can now find Ninth Ward Chicago on TruthSocial & BlueSky. You can always follow us via @TheSixthWard on X formerly known as Twitter, although perhaps it's time to change the handle there.

Current pics of Jones Hamburgers

Snapped these shots on March 11, 2025. Just decided to walk along South Michigan just south of Harlan High School. I'm just curious what caused this building to get to this state. I'd rather there was a functioning business here and people living in the apartments upstairs.

This on the west side of Michigan near 98th Street.
 

This last pic below, this is the garage to this building with a Jeep outside of it. It's been there for as long as I can remember. Who owns it? In fact who owns the property?

May 2008: Mama J's #Ward09 #tbt

UPDATE March 27, 2025 - Earlier this month I snapped some shots along Michigan Avenue and will share the shot of this place at a later time. This building is boarded up currently, which is a shame. When I was in school a classmate lived in the apartments above and I had visited him occasionally. I knew another classmate - who's since passed away - who was said to be connected with the family that owned Mama J's. I only wonder what happened to the business and the family that owned it and how the building is now basically abandoned.

Originally posted to The Sixth Ward on May 14, 2008. And with some of the shots around Roseland Heights taken over the years I wouldn't mind trying to recreate some of these shots!
 This is near 98th and Michigan. Known for their Jones hamburgers. I haven't patronized this business in years and at that this was when I was much younger. I wish I could give you a review of how good the burgers and service was here.

Perhaps I might do that in the near future. I do know that this place didn't always look like this and that this place certainly doesn't have the window lettering it does now! It's been a while since I paid attention to this place.

Here's a shot of this place now!

Chicago Like a Local: These overpriced box homes are taking over Chicago

 

[VIDEO] Sometimes I enjoy the local commentary of the YouTube channel Chicago Like a Local. He takes aim at a recent trend in modern residential architecture.

He calls the homes you see in this video  blocky or "Minecraft" homes. I may lament the construction of housing that doesn't fit the style of a particular neighborhood. At the same time perhaps you may have a neighborhood where the housing isn't in great condition.

In fact homes like these could be one sign of gentrification. Chicago Like a Local does refer to these homes as overpriced.

Lately I've been taking aim at Roseland and I wonder how many people wouldn't mind seeing homes like these built in Roseland, for example?

Also will this YouTuber ever go to the far south side?

CharlieBo313: Chicago south side Roseland hood/Wild 100s

 

[VIDEO] CharlieBo on YouTube driving around Roseland primarily along South Michigan Avenue from as far south as 119th Street to about 108th Street. That YouTuber primarily drives around urban areas, seemingly decaying urban areas.

One could look at South Michigan Avenue as a decaying area, however, I like to look at what could be. A lot of vacant lots and boarded up buildings, houses, etc. Fortunes could change and as it seems has been said a lot on this page with the Red Line extension there's an opportunity there.

The RoseBowl in Roseland #tbt

11517 S. Michigan Ave

Years and years ago on Michigan Avenue, Roseland had a bowling alley. You could take the bus there directly on Michigan. If I could single-handedly redevelop the Michigan Avenue drag it would be somewhere that is walkable.

Go to the movies, restaurants, retail, professional services, etc right on Michigan Avenue and some other streets such as 111th or 115th. If this business still existed could it benefit from the Red Line extension?

The RoseBowl itself I had to Google where it was located and the address is posted below the photograph. Unfortunately today it's just another vacant lot right across the street from yet another vacant lot. Though since I mentioned the Red Line extension, one day this might be part of transit-oriented development.

Photo found via VanishedChicagoland on FB.

#fbf Gately's People's Store

 The above photo is undated probably 1960s or 1970s. As you may know this building was lost after a fire back in the summer of 2019. The fire created a vacant lot.

I found this photo in the Roseland History FB group. Some recall donuts in the basement of this store. Another commented that they want to bring back "The Ave" which is what they called the shopping strip along South Michigan Avenue.

I'm curious what happened to the Gately's sign as it was an easily recognizable landmark that perhaps many took for granted even if the store itself had long ago closed.

Roseland Plaza 115th & Michigan #tbt #Ward09

Via VanishedChicagoland FB

This is what you would've found on the vacant lot at 115th & Michigan perhaps before the mid-2000s at least. 

Of course as you can see by the cars here, this is a vintage photograph. Coffee Pot is likely in the foreground. And then the National grocery store you see in the background here.

Once the Red Line is built in this area, here's hoping we can have this block brought back to life again in the future. Retail, restaurants, hopefully some other services.

Could social media be utilized to influence people to move into a neighborhood?

 Over at the Capitol Fax today there is a post about a Peoria, ILL resident who is using her reach on TikTok to influence people to live there. She doesn't work as a real estate agent or even for Peoria itself she is sure to tell people about what to do there (say entertainment or restaurants), what movers to rely on, or certainly another important aspect finding a job in a particular city.

TikTok infulencer persuades hundreds to settle down in Peoria https://t.co/WiVx7cL8EL

— Capitol Fax (@capitolfax) March 30, 2023

The question I may ask is what things are available for people to do in say Roseland or Pullman? What restaurants exist? What entertainment options? What kind of retail?

Also the price of housing - that is rent or a mortgage. What kind of people live there? Certainly what types of opportunities entrepreneurial or employment might exist?

Perhaps there a person out there pondering these things whatever neighborhood in the city they live in. Of course if we're lacking in those attributes that makes a particular community attractive what can be done to change that?

The Chicago Neighborhoods

It's History: Chicago's south side nightmate

 

[VIDEO] Something for you to watch this weekend. The YouTube channel called It's History discusses the history of the Pullman neighborhood. From it's days as a company town for the Pullman Company that produced those luxury sleeper cars for railroads to it's current history as a Chicago neighborhood after annexation. This is Ninth Ward Chgo and thus Pullman is part of the fabric of this part of the city. Enjoy.

Events for Thursday and Friday #Ward09

 Events taking place tomorrow Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. These flyers are provided in a recent email blast by Ald. Anthony Beale.

Be careful on CTA

 

[VIDEO] FOX 32 reports on attacks by a mob (10 or 15) of teens near the 95th Street Red Line terminal. The attack was reported to have happened an hour before the remote by reporter Elizabeth Matthews. Matthews was broadcasting inside Abbott Park across from the terminal.

So an incident happened before Matthews was broadcasting and they reported another incident last night speaking with one of the victims wear a facemask and a bandage over her nose. The victim who was assaulted suffered a fractured nose.

So not only are they punching victims, they're also using pepper spray and engaging in strong arm robbery.

Be careful on the train, getting off the train, and perhaps even on the bus.

CBS Chicago: Street racers take over intersection in West Pullman #Ward09

 

[VIDEO] The video of a crowd huddled around an intersection where cars were drifting and doing donuts is at the corner of 115th/Halsted. There's a Checker's there, two service stations, and a vacant lot where a Jewel/Osco and a Zayre (which later became the Halsted Indoor Mall now demolished) were formerly located.

So this display of loud and noisy cars took place there at 3 AM. I wonder how long has this been going on. A few weeks earlier a similar display was recorded at Monroe/Clinton near the Loop. The city council recently voted to impound cars involved in this, however, in this incident on Halsted police came and no one was arrested.

John & Elizabeth Moutoussamy House in Chesterfield #Ward09

 

I like this house it's very different and fits into the Chatham community for sure. Located at 361 East 89th Place so really in Chesterfield it was designed by noted Black architect John Moutoussamy who designed a number of buildings around Chicago. I found this pic and these buildings he designed on fb

• (1954) The John W. & Elizabeth R. Moutoussamy House, 361 East 89th Place, Chicago, IL
• (1959) The Alex Poinsett & Norma R. Poinsett House, 8532 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL
• (1962) The Lake Terrace Condominiums, 7337 South South Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
• (1968) The Quadrangle Condominiums, 6700 South South Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
• (1969) The Lawless Garden Apartments, 3620 South Rhodes Avenue, Chicago, IL
• (1969) The Michigan Beach Apartments, 7251 South South Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
• (1972) The Woodlawn Neighborhood Health Center, 6337 South Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, IL
• (1972) The Regents Park Apartments, 5050 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
• (1973) Carver Military Academy High School (Chicago Public Schools), 13100 South Doty Avenue, Chicago, IL
• (1976) Harry S. Truman College, (City Colleges of Chicago), 1145 West Wilson Avenue, Chicago, IL
• (1981) Richard J. Daley College, (City Colleges of Chicago), 7500 South Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL
• (1981) Olive-Harvey College (City Colleges of Chicago), 10001 South Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, IL
• (1983) The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., International Headquarters, 5656 South Stony Island Avenue, Chicago, IL
•  (1984) The Chicago Urban League, 4510 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
• – (1993) The Bessie Coleman Library (Chicago Public Library), 731 East 63rd Street, Chicago, IL

Whoever lives in that house currently I don't intend any disrespect by sharing a photo of their house especially since it was already shared on social media. This is one house that has definitely caught my eye over the years just architecturally stands out.

Here's more about John Moutoussamy, when you click the link you will see a pic of him outside of that very house on 89th Place.

Gately's & S.S. Kresge Co. in Roseland #tbt

I found and saved these two photographs from Roseland south of 111th Street and Michigan Avenue. I feel as if these are appropriate because we're in the Christmas season although tomorrow will be Christmas Eve. And of course these two photos don't show South Michigan Ave during Christmas time. 

Probably during much warmer weather. The dates for these photos are unknown perhaps they were taken in the 1960s or 70s. The Gately's store as many of you may know went out of business in the early 1980s. The building that once contained that store has since been demolished after a bad fire. I do believe the sign survived however as I write this no idea as to the whereabouts of that landmark.

As far as S.S. Kresge Company I don't know when that store closed its doors right next door to Gately's. I have found out that S.S. Kresge Co outlets ultimately became the Kmart chain. Do you remember Kmart? I do and many Kmart stores have closed in recent years. Perhaps you shopped at the one that was once located in Oak Lawn on 95th or a number of locations around the city.

I hope you enjoy this look back and I do wish you a Merry Christmas and hoping that you've had a very joyous holiday season.

#tbt Coffee Pot restaurant

 

Via Flickr

To be honest I hadn't thought about this site Flickr in years. This was a site for photographers to share their works. Of course it seems it has been supplanted by a number of sites as far as sharing photos such as Facebook, Twitter or even Instagram.

Sometimes it's just fun to see some of the items posted there, it's just amazing how advanced have propelled us from the old fashioned camera to a cameraphone.

I never thought I'd see a sign of the old Coffee Pot restaurant near 115th Street & Michigan Avenue. It was part of that mall that was demolished in 2006. And this area is very close to the future stop on the future CTA Red Line extension. Perhaps someone might decide to bring back another version of the Coffee Pot for future commuters.

CBS Chicago: Woman Fires Gun At Would-Be Carjacker In Roseland

 

[VIDEO] This incident took place at the Chase Branch at 103rd & Michigan. She fired a shot at an armed carjacker. The victim has a concealed carry permit and it's unclear whether or not that perpetrator was hit.

Self-defense in action. She's OK and hopefully police will catch that perpetrator.

As always be careful out there!