The SportsWise team discusses the benefits professional sports provide to cities.
Cover Story: StreetWise 32nd anniversary
In honor of the 32nd anniversary of StreetWise, vendors tell us when they started, what they like about selling the magazine and why they have remained vendors as long as they have.
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From the Streets
Two skyscrapers on State Street at risk of demolition for years have been saved through the efforts of preservationalists.
The Playground
DISCLAIMER: The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of StreetWise.
Dave Hamilton, Creative Director/Publisher dhamilton@streetwise.org
Amanda Jones, Director of programs ajones@streetwise.org
Julie Youngquist, Executive director jyoungquist@streetwise.org
Ph: 773-334-6600
Office: 2009 S. State St., Chicago, IL, 60616
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Compiled by Declan Canaday
Big City, Big Screens!
Movies in the Parks
Nightly movie screenings in parks throughout the city continue with the support of the Chicago Park District. The night of August 21 sees an 8 p.m. showing of "Dark Waters" at Piotrowski Park (4247 W. 31st), a gripping legal tale based on the true story of an attorney taking on one of the world’s largest corporations. Commercial Club Park (1845 W. Rice) hosts an 8 p.m. presentation of "Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves" on Thursday, August 22, weaving a tale of adventure and family in the world of the popular role-playing game. On August 24, Dorothy and friends return to Oz, as Oz Park (2021 N. Burling) hosts an 8 p.m. screening of its namesake, the classic "Wizard of Oz." At Navy Pier, the summer series of Water Flicks reaches its finale August 26 at 6 p.m.; the audience will vote on the final film, with a choice between "Wall-E," "The Iron Giant," and "The Lorax."
Get Into the Groove!
Chicago SummerDance at Davis and Grant Parks
Chicago SummerDance keeps up a free series of dance workshops and live music sets throughout the city. On August 21, the series comes to Davis Square Park (4430 S. Marshfield) for a full evening of cumbia and house dance lessons in addition to other creative activities, running from 4:30-7:30 p.m. On August 23 and 24, the show takes over Grant Park (112 E. Balbo) for two nights of instructions followed by live performances, running 6-9 p.m. – Friday focuses on Afrobeat, while Saturday centers on house music.
Across the Deserts & Plains!
Indo-Ruska Romani Dance Journey at Arrigo Park
The Ishti Collective and Firebird Dances collaborate to tell the story of the Romani people through a mesmerizing dance showcase on August 23 at Arrigo Park (801 S. Loomis). The Indian and Russian Romani groups unite to present classical Romani dances, demonstrating the interconnectedness and incredible journey of the culture throughout time and across the Earth. The event runs from 6-7 p.m., ending with an audience-participation group dance.
A Musical Migration!
Crescent City Connection at Mandrake Park
Locally renowned drummer Gustavo Cortiñas draws inspiration from his time spent in the city of New Orleans for a new project mixing funk, jazz, and all the styles of the Crescent City. The band plays on at Mandrake Park (3858 S. Cottage Grove) on August 22 from 5-7 p.m. in a free concert.
The Buck Stops Here!
Bucktown Arts Fest
A beloved summer tradition returns to Holstein Park at the intersection of Oakley and Lyndale, as the Bucktown Arts Fest celebrates its 40th year August 26 and 27, 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Nearly 200 artists gather to offer artworks in a variety of forms, alongside live music performances and a special children's area.
¡¡Bailemos!
LatiNxt Festival on Navy Pier
A wave of cutting-edge Latinx musicians comes to Navy Pier the weekend of August 26 and 27 in a free festival. Future Rootz Collective brings innovative live performances to the Pier, with local vendors on the scene. The event serves as a platform for rising stars and undiscovered talent in the Latinx music scene.
Free Your Body!
Proximal: An Interactive Freestyle at Tilton Park
Chicago-based dance troupe Chicago Dance Crash presents an interactive freestyle dance show at Tilton Park (230 N. Kolmar) the evening of August 22. Artists perform in various styles based on audience members' responses to themed questions. The performance will run from 5:30-6:30 p.m., including an open dance workshop for all ages at the end.
What A Wonderful World!
Power of the Word at Armstrong Park
BIPOC artists come together to celebrate the legacy of composer Lillian “Lil” Hardin Armstrong, second wife of Louis Armstrong, on August 27 at the park named in her honor (4433 S. St. Lawrence). The show plays from 5-7 p.m. Emerging artists will be led by singer Alysha Monique and trumpeter Bobby Wonderfull, joined by DJ and music historian Duane Powell.
Pressed On Paper!
Books and Beats at Hamilton Park
The Chicago Printers’ Guild presents an afternoon of interactive art workshops and live music on August 24 at Hamilton Park (513 W. 72nd) in partnership with the Chicago Park District. Attendees will learn to make prints with the help of professional printmakers. Admission is free, with lessons and music from 12-2:30 p.m.
Make Your Mark!
Chalk Howard Street Festival
The streets come alive with art on August 24, as the Chalk Howard Street festival returns to Rogers Park (at the corner of Howard and Ashland) for its fourth year. Professional chalk artists turn the avenue into a massive canvas, with room included for those who want to add to the art. Food and shopping from local vendors and live music by local bands will be provided throughout the day. The free event runs 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
how The city benefits from sports
Allen: What do professional sports bring to a city? They bring a lot: civic pride, jobs, economic growth, community development, improved quality of life, consumption (bars, restaurants). In one word – excitement – whether it be revenue or community development, it’s all exciting. It promotes values like teamwork. A city can not only prosper as far as revenue, but socially.
William: I agree with you. One thing that sports can really bring is life to a city of any size. You have two teams in the same sport, like we have here in baseball. Every summer we have that argument: which is better, the Cubs or the Sox? It makes me feel young again, because where I went to school, the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired, the big argument down there was, who is better, the Cardinals or the Cubs?
It does bring revenue, because you got your sales tax on the tickets and refreshments. Then if you go to the tavern afterwards, the sales tax and excise tax on your beer.
I would like to see leagues expand. I would like to see Chi-
cago get a second NFL team. Then we’d have an NFC and an AFC team. I’d like to see it in basketball and hockey, as well. Then you’d have even more excitement and two teams to choose from instead of a monopoly. You’re selling StreetWise, it’s fun to be out there at just the right moment, when Cubs are about to make the postseason and you hear everybody hooting and hollering, I get to talk to people about the team.
John: I want to reiterate William and A. Allen. It does bring excitement. But if you are in a city with higher taxes, you might not be able to afford it. Cities with lower taxes, there’s more excitement. The problem when politicians get involved with sports teams, it dampens enthusiasm.
How much revenue? It depends on size. Like Portland, OR only has an NBA team; when the Trail Blazers brought a championship
in 1977, it brought a lot of excitement. Same with the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City or the Packers in Green Bay: the only franchise that a city owns.
Chicago, they’re excited about the Cubs no matter what. The White Sox, even when they win, not so much. But the Bears, Blackhawks and the Bulls, yes.
Allen: Chicago actually has eight teams: the Bulls, the Bears, the Sox, the Cubs, the Sky, the Blackhawks and the Chicago Fire, the men’s soccer team. We also have a women’s soccer team, the Red Stars. Women’s basketball, the Chicago Sky, is bringing a lot to the city.
William: Sports can bring growth, because you get people to come to the city, see games, maybe want to live in that town because it’d be easier to get to the games. Especially right now when the economy is question-
able. You'd create more jobs: the vendors, the engineering staff, the players. More jobs, more income tax, more things being bought and sold. I think we are about to have an economic crash, because I have noticed in Chicago about six months before a recession, people stop spending as much money on StreetWise and other charities, sometimes their luxuries.
John: The Chicago Sky brought a lot of excitement when they won in 2021. If they win in the next five years, they will be even bigger, thanks to Caitlin Clark.
Allen: New York has the most pro teams: 23. Boston has 18 NBA Championships; they just surpassed the Lakers with 17 this year.
Any comments, suggestions or topic ideas for the SportsWise team? Email StreetWise Editor Suzanne Hanney at suzannestreetwise@yahoo.com
Vendors: A. Allen, John Hagan, and William Plowman chat about the world of sports.
StreetWise Through the Years
In honor of the 32nd anniversary of StreetWise, vendors tell us when they started, what they like about selling the magazine and why they have remained vendors as long as they have.
compiled by Suzanne Hanney and Declan Canaday
1992
Joseph Jones
“I started as a vendor in 1992, when StreetWise first started, when they first opened up, Christmas Eve.”
“My favorite memory is getting to meet people. Then you become self-sufficient. You’re making the money and taking your life back. Bringing on responsibility. So it’s not just—you're not big, and you’ve got some deal in return. You know, you get the cash, you’re able to find a job, housing, homes.”
“Well, everyday people make a big impact. You ain’t got to meet a star to, you know, to remember over the years... you just like regular people. You know? A person who.. who, in their pocket, they ain’t got the money, to find a penny or dime, and say ‘You can have it’. That’s a bigger impact than a person coming up to you and just handing you a thousand dollars without a thought. They give it from the heart.”
1992
Gwen Freeman
Gwen started back at the first location 32 years ago on Wabash and 13th.
“Because it’s a job and I like it. I am my own boss. I have a nice area to work in [Clark and Catalpa]. A lot of friendly people. They all know me. I’ve been there 10 years. Before that I was on Broadway and Waveland for 20 years. I had more than one area, moved around, and let my friends use my old area. There was nobody selling at [in her current spot in Andersonville].
I was panhandling. I lived in the St. James Hotel across the street [on Wabash near 13th] and the police said, ‘why don’t you go to that new spot, sell papers and they will help you with housing.’ I still got the same badge number: 1646.”
1993 Bessie Salter
I started at the first building on Wabash, maybe a year after they opened. I stayed because I moved out of state, came back here and always made money at StreetWise.
[What’s appealing is] you could come here and you didn’t have to start with any money. They would give you a start with 15 papers, get you a good location. That’s key. The hours are convenient. I like socializing with people. You get to talk about different events that’s happening in Chicago in introducing them to StreetWise magazines.
1994 Henry Johnson
You can get you a meal here. There’s great opportunities to learn things. I have learned to manage money more, come in contact with computers, job applications, different events.
What makes a good location? Different customers, you build up a clientele. People get to know you, your personality. Always have a nice smile. People have gone into a store and come out and said, ‘It’s your smile.’ I always say, ‘God bless you and your family.’ It makes a difference.
My best memory was the Christmas I was able to make $230 on a weekend. The train was running every two hours and I sold all those papers and caught the next train from Wilmette to Evanston, where I lived then. I really like Christmastime when they donate coats. Even if they are used, they are good quality hats and scarves that you can use.
1996 Keith Hardiman
I started about 1996 or 97. My health kept me here. I am getting older. I am 62. It’s a job where if I am sick, I can go on my own to the doctor without being fired. I go to my primary doctor or therapy at least three times a month.
I was on drugs when I first came here. As I got more familiar with StreetWise, I got off drugs. I have been clean over 20 years. It keeps money in my pocket, helps me pay my bills, my phone. I am off the streets. I have gotten a room. And I am my own boss.
I work five days a week, four hours a day, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. If I have doctors’ appointments, I make them any time after 12.
Best memory? I was in the hospital last year for 14 or 15 days. My customers wondered where I was. They called here to see if anything happened to me. The cards: ‘Keep doing what you’re doing. I come to work just to see you in the morning because you always have something positive to say.’ When I came back, ‘Oh, Keith, I am so glad to see you.’ It was just a tremendous feeling that someone cares beside my family. I
At that time I was going down bottoms. Selling drugs wasn’t getting it.
I stayed so long [30 years] because it’s good. I was my own boss. I started right here, [current StreetWise location, which was Blue Star Auto Parts when he started, along with the post office half a block south]. Now, I sell at Fullerton and Greenview and Potash’s at North Avenue and Clark Street.
I thank [Executive Director] Julie [Youngquist] for getting me back.
have been at Michigan and Lake for about 20 years. A lot of the kids when I first began are grown and working: “I remember my dad used to buy StreetWise from you.”
And then I get to help someone else. I give them the opportunity to come on Tuesdays and Thursdays and go through orientation. Homeless people that need help; prevent them from that aggressive panhandling, running up on people walking down the street. And keep themselves up. StreetWise has personal hygiene packages, food, and clothing. People ain’t got to look the way they look out here on the streets nowadays.
I was part of the [StreetWise Where I Stay] podcast. I brought up some issues: what about me? Some things I don’t qualify for, because I have a felony background. But it’s really hard to find a place to live, still. These immigrants come in. I understand. But I have been here all my life. These people, first 30 days, get checks of all kinds. [Editor’s Note: Asylum applicants with income below the Federal Poverty Level of $17,500 are eligible for the same County Care medical, SNAP and TANF benefits as anyone at that income level.] I have never gotten benefits. I am in the process of applying for SSDI. But the hoops I have to leap through to get help. I am not trying to go back to prison. I haven’t even been arrested. I keep it on the straight and narrow. I am not going to let anyone take this away from me.
2003 Donald Morris
StreetWise has a place in my heart because it helped people get off the street, get on their feet, as long as they stay straight. I have sent a lot of people; I used to fill up the rooms for orientation. As long as they follow the code of conduct. The most important thing in the code of conduct is to remember your leaders and to have them instruct you, mentor you.
2010 A. Allen
I’ve been a vendor 14 years; come April it will be 15 years. I came here when I was one-year sober, so I will be 15 years sober in October. I have been here 15 years because selling papers is helping keep me sober. It gives me something to do. When I start thinking about nonsense, negative things, I just go and sell my papers. But now I am pretty consistent at selling my papers, so I don’t think have time to think about the nonsense of drinking and drugs.
I think it’s because of a little bit of everything: my customers and enjoying my job as I do. I don’t have to get high. I enjoy meeting people and selling papers.
2012 Sean Williams
I have been a regular vendor for 12 years. My best memory is when my fiancée introduced me to selling StreetWise, but another best memory is when I sold 25 magazines in one day. I got started early, probably between 9 and 10 in the morning at the old Barnes & Noble in downtown Evanston, and my customers were nice. One of my problems is, I am inconsistent, but that day, I did what vendors are supposed to do, by starting early and I finished in the late afternoon, because I had someplace to go. That day, I stuck to a schedule. I didn’t quite sell out - I had about three left - but I almost did.
I have stayed because my customers were so nice. I can’t hold a regular job, and the staff always let me come back. There were times I panhandled between 2010 and 2012 and they let me come back. One time when I was panhandling, another vendor gave some of his own magazines to sell. Even though he broke the rules, he was doing me a really big favor. Yes [it got me back to selling regularly.]
One of the greatest things StreetWise has done for me is survive a lot of crises. Just getting high was a crisis, so it helped me survive that. And it helped me endure the COVID crisis. When a lot of people were shut down, we were still able to work helping with the [2020] US census [reaching out to people who were homeless to get them to fill it out, thanks to a grant from the State of Illinois via our partner organization, the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago].
Now StreetWise is in another crisis, with the immigrants. They are direct competition, panhandling with their kids while we are trying to earn an honest living by selling papers. They’re using strategies because they want the spots we have, but we have been there for years. For a seasoned vendor like myself, there is no option to move around. I don’t believe I have to run from my location in order to survive. We still believe in a hand up, not a hand out.
Oluwaseun
J. Arije "OJ"
I have been a vendor almost 12 years. I really like reinventing myself, talking to people, learning people skills, customer service, learning how to effectively sell a product or a service.
I had a vendor selling magazines in my neighborhood, in Edgewater. He was selling outside the Red Line station at Bryn Mawr. He would do everything to get people’s attention, and he would get a few customers. So I decided to give it a shot.
StreetWise does its research, actually comes out with an issue that informs people what’s going on today or in the past. I like how the editor, Suzanne, puts the material together. I like that the vendors can also put their ideas into the magazine.
Not only are we earning money as vendors, but we are informing people what’s happening in our world. It doesn’t have to always be that serious, it can be fun like movies or new albums. But when there is a serious topic for our society as a whole, we can give information that is important, like Climate Change.
One of my favorite things about StreetWise is students. We will sit them down here and go over what StreetWise is, what our mission statement is and why we are out there. One time Julie [Youngquist, StreetWise executive director] invited me to talk to students from another state and another time from DePaul, where I sell my magazines, not far from the Armitage Brown Line station. Especially the young starting their lives, it helps them see why we are out there selling magazines, why we care about our world, how we are entrepreneurs, not just trying to make a buck. It could help them be more open-minded and compassionate towards others when they see us out there. It’ll help them with whatever they’re doing in college. We’re planting seeds.
2014
John R. Hagan, Jr.
I started Jan. 9, 2014, right at the start of the polar vortex. It was challenging being out in that cold. We had to put on many layers of clothing. You couldn’t be out there as much as you wanted to because it was dangerous. I did quite well, because I picked a spot where I knew there would be heavy foot traffic, by Adams and Franklin, close to Union Station. This was when there were 9,000 people going to work and coming home from work.
My favorite memory was the 25-year anniversary in 2017 when we had an outdoor gala in Millennium Park, with nice weather. Sports is pretty cool. I am one of the SportsWise team, along with A. Allen, Russell Adams and William Plowman.
I have been here all this time, because we get paid every day. Other places you have to wait a week or two. Also, the food and the opportunities we give other people to sell StreetWise magazine. [Being a vendor field supervisor and doing vendor training] has its moments.
2014 Lee A. Holmes
I have been with StreetWise for about 10 years. I got started after I was just coming upstairs and eating meals. What I like about StreetWise is, it helps me form my entrepreneur skills, helps me budget my money. It keeps me stable, keeps money in my pocket so I don’t have to go into criminal activity to earn money. It broadens my horizons so that I am looking at opening a kiosk at the Blue Line. I want to get into O’Hare and Midway airports. I would sell potato chips and basically what I did when I was one of the StreetWise Eat Spot [fruit cart] vendors. We sold local, wholesome, affordable, healthy, food. I have a mentor from SCORE [Service Corps of Retired Executives, a volunteer program of U.S. government’s Small Business Administration].
2022 Cora Rambert
I started in October 2022. I ran into some one who was selling StreetWise – A. Allen – and he said, ‘Why don’t you come and see what it is all about? You can be an entrepreneur.’
I asked if they check your background. He said, ‘No, actually it’s for people who’ve been thrown away in society.’ It may be mental health, penal institutions, foster homes. Whatever your traumas. Once you’re put inside and you get out, you’re blocked out side of the system.
So StreetWise opened a whole new door for me. They didn’t look on my background. They looked at me as a person and afforded me an opportunity to go out and speak with a lot of different people and to work exactly where I wanted to work at. Because at almost 69 years young, I shared with them that I have been in the streets since I was 8 or 9 and I love people, so I can go anywhere and talk with them.
Today I worked on the Gold Coast down on Delaware. I usually work in Edgewater. Majority of the time I am in Rogers Park. I love Rogers Park. It’s so multicultural. They embrace and love you no matter what your ethnic background, no matter your beliefs. Or Andersonville. They love on you genuinely.
I think it’s so important when you are dealing with people, your customers or someone you may not know, whether they tell you yes or no, my answer is always ‘Fine, no worry, maybe next time.’ It’s so important, you don’t feel anybody owes you anything. You don’t know what someone is going through.
2022
Ruben Garcia
I started with StreetWise in November 2022. My favorite memory is just being in the city and setting my own hours and my own dress code. I am close to my loyal customers. [I like] being honest and fair at the corner to my customers, who look forward every week to the magazine.
When they ask if I have a place to sleep, I say I am housed. I want you to know I am out here for the voiceless. You do not get better and forget about the people who are out there. Mental health is real. Alcoholism is real. Homelessness is real. Migration is real. Suicide is real. So, for lack of a better word, I feel it’s important to be very transparent when you are talking with people.
State Street Buildings Saved by Preservationists
Preservationists have convinced the federal government to save two historic skyscrapers on the southwest corner of State and Adams Streets.
Despite a $52 million demolition plan issued by Congress last winter, the terra cotta-clad Century and Consumers Buildings, at 202 and 220 S. State St. respectively, will remain.
The 16-story Century Building was designed by Holabird & Roche and completed in 1915. The 22-story Consumers Building was designed by Jenney, Mundie & Jensen and completed in 1913. Also saved was the connecting building at 214 S. State by C.M. Palmer, which dates to 1883.
All three buildings are owned by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). The federal government took the buildings by eminent domain between 2005 and 2007 because of security concerns after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, according to the nonprofit Preservation Chicago. The back of the Dirksen Federal Courthouse is just across a courtyard and an alley from the Century and Consumers Buildings.
Preservation Chicago listed the Century and Consumers Buildings on its 7 Most Endangered List (StreetWise Vol. 32 No. 16, April 17-24, 2024) and the City of Chicago gave them preliminary landmark designation in 2023. Preservation Chicago also floated the idea of adaptively reusing them as the Chicago Collaborative Archive Center, a repository of several religious orders whose collections pre-date the founding of the United States.
A 2017 proposal for housing in the buildings had been shot down by a federal judge because of the security threat posed by their roof deck. However, sunlight is unfriendly to archives, so windows could be blocked and entry could also be restricted, Preservation Chicago Executive Director Ward Miller told StreetWise.
“There was a huge public outcry to save these buildings, and against the tremendous waste that their demolition would bring,” Elizabeth Blasius, cofounder of Preservation Futures, told The Architect’s Newspaper. “Now, it’s no longer a question of if these buildings are going to be preserved, it’s a matter of how.”
The GSA will host public meetings on “viable” adaptive reuse of the towers, with consideration to both their history and the security needs of the Dirksen Courthouse.
