NEXT MAYOR NEEDS TO KNOW MORE THAN WHERE THE BODIES ARE BURIED

Right now Chicago is caught up in yet another whirlwind of politicking. This time about the next mayor. But instead of the usual claptrap collision of soundbites, how about actually doing what everyone says they're going to do but don't? Instead of being whip lashed by the city's day-to-day headlines, how about getting in touch with the city's year-to-year history? Headlines are one day deep; history is generations deep.

If the voters stand back to size up the working history of this remarkable 173 year old city, they can better see and sense who's better equipped to lead it from here. It's a roaring history in the key of A. A for audacity... adaptability ....artistry. The candidate who best understands these, is the one best qualified to carry them forward.

There has always been an Audacity to Chicago. Beginning with its early settlers who clawed and carved it out from the wilderness. Then willed it into becoming the new nation's most western citadel of commerce. Later, of railroading. Later still, of air traffic. In time it cleared its muddy streets, bridged its ornery river, and started growing the wealthy merchants of 19thC State Street and Prairie Avenue fame. There was never an obstacle the city couldn't leap. And proving it is one of the world's thickest networks of thriving ethnic communities.

Also its hell-bent-for-leather Adaptability. When the times called for a better transportation system, Chicago literally wrestled nature into submission by reversing the course of its river. When the times demanded more space, Chicago continued to annex surrounding communities. When the Great Fire of 1871 leveled half the city, the other half rose up to re-build it bigger than ever. When world trade beckoned, Chicago beckoned the world with its dazzling White City world fair of 1892.

As for Artistry, few Easterners considered the rough-and-tumble prairie town good for anything except hustlers, stockyards and grimy broad shoulders. And yet, behold some of the continent's greatest outdoor architectural wonders. The nation's grandest lakefront. America's most ambitious galaxy of opera houses, theatres, parks and museums. Mayor after mayor has rolled up their sleeves to create great art shoulder to shoulder with, well, with those grimy broad shoulders.

OK, Chicago has been labeled -- and often earned -- some shameful reputations. Crass. Corrupt. Cunning. And yet few world-class cities can boast as many firsts. Including its skyscrapers, its festivals, its comedy clubs, and now the Presidency. The person who next strides into the Mayor's Office not only has to be a sharp-elbowed politico who knows where the bodies are buried, that person better know where the next dreams are waiting.

Here's a guess. Each of the candidates actually does. Deep in their hearts. Now if only they can couple their hearts to this history, then even our celebrated out-going mayor can feel good about giving them those keys....!