In attempt to break Cubs curse, Des Plaines aldermen OK goats at campground
Des Plaines aldermen, many clad in Cubs gear for their city council meeting this week, say they're doing everything they can to help break the curse of the billy goat.
With the Cubs in the playoffs, the council's otherwise perfunctory consent agenda vote Monday to permit goats for educational programming at the Historic Methodist Campground took on added meaning.
"Our gates are wide open here in Des Plaines," said Alderman Mike Charewicz, wearing a blue Cubs T-shirt. "I want to make sure all the Cub fan residents know we're doing the best we can to get a World Series in Chicago."
The so-called curse began the last time the Cubs were in the World Series in 1945, when Wrigley Field ushers banned Billy Goat Tavern owner Billy Sianis's goat from entering the stadium. Legend has it that the disgruntled Sianis placed a hex on the team.
The council's 8-0 first reading vote amends city code to allow up to two goats and two sheep on any property greater than 15 acres that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The 35-acre campground site at 1900 E. Algonquin Road fits that criteria.
Campground staff say the goats will be part of a 4-H program sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension Service.
Last year, the council approved allowing the campground to have up to six chicken hens on site.
Most aldermen wore Cubs gear at Monday's meeting, although Alderman Dick Sayad, a devout St. Louis Cardinals fan, wore a Cardinals jersey and hat. Sayad said even though the Cubs beat his team in the last playoff series, he's now pulling for the Cubs.
While the council's vote to allow goats at the campground was unanimous, a motion to reschedule Wednesday night's city budget meeting - scheduled during Game 4 of the National League championship series - failed on a 5-3 vote.