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Far Northwest Side Year in Review: What Had Locals Talking in 2014

By Heather Cherone | December 30, 2014 6:56am
  This year was an eventful one for the Northwest Side neighborhoods.
Far Northwest Side Stories of the Year
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JEFFERSON PARK — From sky-high complaints about jet noise, to new life for former movie palaces, as well as the end of an political era, Far Northwest Side residents had a lot to talk about in 2014.

1. Jet Noise Complaints Skyrocket: The only thing louder this year than the planes flying over the Far Northwest Side was the anger from residents. The residents were fed up with the racket from jets using an east-west runway that opened in October 2013, prompting 180,000 complaints that the planes have made it impossible to sleep, enjoy their yards and reduced the value of homes in the area. Despite the complaints, city and federal aviation officials have refused to alter the flight pattern, saying it is designed ensure the airport — a major economic engine — operates as safely and effectively as possible.

2. Portage Theater Reopens — and the Patio Theater Closes and Reopens: It was an up-and-down year for the Far Northwest Side's former movie palaces. The Portage Theater abruptly reopened in June, after being shuttered for nearly a year. But the news wasn't as good for fans of the Patio Theater, which closed in April after repairs proved too costly for its owner. But the Patio reopened in November, after the same team that manages the Portage Theater leased the Patio, and promised to bring new life to the Irving Austin Business District.

3. Protected Bicycle Lanes Controversy: Proposals to remove a lane of traffic in each direction along Milwaukee Avenue in Jefferson Park and Gladstone Park ignited a firestorm of controversy this summer, after city traffic engineers suggested the four-lane road be put on a diet to allow bicycle lanes to be expanded — and make it safer for pedestrians to get around. But critics of the proposal — which has yet to be finalized — said it would snarl traffic through the area and hurt business. The issue also promises to play a major role in February's 45th Ward aldermanic election, with Chicago Police Lt. John Garrido leading the opposition to the lane reduction proposal.

4. End of the Cullerton Era: Ald. Tim Cullerton (38th) surprised Far Northwest Side political junkies when he announced in July that he would retire from the City Council at the end of his term in May. The decision brought an end to an era in the 38th Ward, which has been represented by a member of the Cullerton family since 1973, when the alderman's father, Thomas, won the seat. Thomas Cullerton died in office in 1993, and former Mayor Richard M. Daley picked Tim Cullerton's brother-in-law, Thomas Allen, to replace him. When Allen became a Cook County judge, Tim Cullerton got the nod from Daley and won a full term in 2011. Nine candidates are vying to succeed him in February's election.

5. Blue Line Train Crashes at O'Hare: Every commuter's worst nightmare seemed to come true on the morning of March 24 when a CTA Blue Line "L" train crashed at O'Hare Airport and injured 35 people. Union officials said the operator fell asleep as the early morning train approached the airport's station, crashing through a bumper post at the end of the tracks and traveling halfway up an escalator. The operator was fired, and the CTA changed its rules about how many hours train operators can work.

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