There something vewwy scwewwy awound here - Elmer Fudd

Yesterday, (1-14-2014) there was a Patch article quoting Mayor DiMaria as saying that Morton Grove was getting about $5,000 per month from video poker... with no down side.

He is quoted as saying: "I think it's working out as expected. It's low-key--I haven't heard any complaints. The people against them don't have to play them, and they don't."

Surprisingly, today, (1-15-2014) the article has disappeared... gone, vanished, POOF! I wonder why the politburo had the article squelched.

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that gambling doesn't fit very well with the image of Morton Grove as a good place to raise children.

That doesn't alter the fact that the number of liquor licenses have almost doubled under this mayor and we are expecting two new gambling cafes', (Betty's) to open in town specifically targeting women.

Those familiar with the history of Morton Grove should not be surprised at this reversion to the "Good Old Days".

Excerpts from a Chicago Tribune article, dated March 26, 1935, pretty much says it all:
"Spreading throughout the northwest end of Cook county, from the city line to Lake county and beyond, is a rural “Bohemia,” the country roadhouse district which sprang up during the halcyon days of prohibition. During the past two decades it has been the locale of numerous gang killings, robberies, bombings, fires, and criminal assaults."

The center of this district is the small village of Morton Grove, population 1,974 [it's now around 24,000]. Within its confines exist or existed most of the larger roadhouses, as well as innumerable small “neighborhood” drinking spots for the working man. The Club Rendezvous, on Dempster street east of Austin avenue, was one of the better known small dance and drink places.

Perhaps the most notorious of the roadhouses was The Dells, diagonally across Dempster road from the Rendezvous. John Factor was kidnaped [sic] by the Touhy gang as he left the Dells on the night of July 1, 1933. Following the conviction of four of the abductors, State’s Attorney Courtney closed the club and notified all village officials not to allow either Sam Hare or Louis Silversmith, its operator, to open up in their towns.

There were two murders at the Dells and twice it was bombed. Raiders visited it repeatedly seeking liquor violations during prohibition days, and looking in on the elaborate gambling casino on the second floor. It was robbed, and twice fire gutted the interior, the last time being Oct. 8, 1934."

"Another landmark is the old Bridge inn, located at the southeast corner of Railroad avenue and Dempster street in Morton Grove. It has been known under many names: The Russian Village, the Golden Gate, and the last, Club Morton. Matt Kolb, the owner, suburban beer and gambling boss, was shot and killed there by gangsters two years ago.

Further east, on the north side of Dempster road, was the old Walton club, once the summer trade attracting duplicate of the Walton club at 69 East Walton place, where Teddy Newberry and other Capone gangsters were said to have conducted their downtown Chicago operations. Both Walton clubs are now closed. The Morton Grove club, popular despite its high prices, burned two years ago. The wife of the caretaker and her 3 year old daughter perished in the flames."