Story behind the children's museum

Mayor Daley clearly got his way in the Chicago Children's Museum in Grant Park.

I grew up in Chicago and over the years I have learned there are certain things that are just a "given" when tracking Chicago politics. Local politicians almost always have something to gain in the decisions they make for the city. When we heard Mayor Daley go on and on about the South Side gang problems, it was really because he wanted the Olympics here in 2016. We know very well that Mayor Daley doesn't care about anyone on the South Side, at least not enough to make a real effort to protect anyone there.

What Mayor Daley really cares about is revenue. Revenue for the city means contacts for his buddies and the Olympics could mean lots of contracts.

This children's museum being built in Grant Park on the surface is so little. One hundred million dollars isn't worth the time, energy or embarrassment for Daley to strong arm his alderman or make pathetic statements like "This is not a win for Richard M. Daley, this is a win for the children". These ramblings are from a man who has a bigger prize waiting for him.

Once the children's museum has moved from Navy Pier to Grant Park, there is a little bit of real estate that will need a little bit of attention. Mayor Daley knows how to generate revenue for his city. The real story has nothing to do with children and everything to do with Mayor Daley's grand prize… A city-owned casino on Navy Pier.

Joseph Kocan Warrenville