The January Issue Of Chicago Magazine

I just finished reading the January issue of Chicago Magazine, and unlike some past issues, which involve stories about people and events from the city's past, many that I remember, this issue features articles on people dealing with problems the city is facing today. One of those articles is about Doug Schenkelberg, the executive director of the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness, and his perspective on the issue of tent encampments in Chicago's parks and along its roadways. Chicago regularly removes these camps, but Schenkelberg feels that doing this makes life even harder for these people, and also, that having the community see these tent cities makes them realize the seriousness of the problem, persuading them of the need to get involved in solving it. There is also an article about Shlomo Tenenbaum, the former longtime rabbi at the Ark, a Jewish social service agency in West Rogers Park, who has conducted more than 3,000 funerals for destitute Jews, making sure they receive a proper burial. Finally, there is an article about Larry Snelling, the Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, who grew up in the Southside Englewood neighborhood, one of the most crime-ridden neighborhoods in Chicago, and where Snelling stated his career as a police officer. He was appointed by "ultraprogressive" Mayor Brandon Johnson as superintendent in 2023. Given Johnson's skepticism of traditional policing methods, many predicted disaster for the department, but many now say appointing Snelling was the one thing he got right. Snelling is an "old school" cop, has won praise from all sides of the political spectrum, and has been especially praised for his efforts to have the police work with the communities they serve. Most importantly, crime is going down in Chicago. Finally, there is a feature story about "Our 25 Favorite Things to Eat Right Now," which as usual, has a few dishes on offer at Chicago restaurants that I might like to try, but many more that I would pay not to have to eat. Suprise.