Tuesday, January 25, 2011

How Many Jobs Are There In Uptown?

According to Chicago Muckrakers, there were 7,026 jobs in the 46th Ward in 2008 (down from 7,182 in 2002); and there were 10,732 jobs in the 48th Ward (up from 9,945 in 2002).  Of the 50 wards, the 48th ranks 20th and the 46th ranks 33rd.

How can you envision bringing up those numbers?  Filling the empty storefronts with locally owned businesses?  Another big box, like Target (which has most assuredly brought up the 46th Ward's numbers since 2008)?  More chain stores?  All of the above, none, or something else entirely?

6 comments:

  1. There are many jobs in Uptown that aren't counted in those stats.

    For example:

    1. The guy on Wilson who yells out "woo woo" when he spots the cops driving by. Let's call him the "woo wooer".

    2. Drug dealer

    3. Crack whore.

    4. Assistant Crack whore.

    5. Aldermanic candidate. That will boost the numbers.

    I could go on.

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  2. Don't forget street vendor in front of the currency exchange at Wilson/Broadway...I even saw him out there a week or two ago.

    Also "street artist," a.k.a. graffiti vandal.

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  3. Maybe we'd have less of #3 and #4 if you'd stop giving them an "economic stimulus package," IP.

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  4. ===1. The guy on Wilson who yells out "woo woo" when he spots the cops driving by. Let's call him the "woo wooer".===

    Not to be confused with Ronnie "Woo Woo" Wickers. That's an unpaid gig.

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  5. @Irish Pirate

    I know you're being sarcastic, but self-employment IS a factor that is difficult to count.

    By the way, does anyone know where these numbers come from? As an economist, I'm a little perplexed at how they arrived at such exact numbers (perplexed, read suspicious). Also, LOOK AT THE SOURCE! My experience with Progress Illinois is that they will say anyting plausible to make their point (can you tell I don't like PI?)

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  6. Well I think the other ward's jobs have gone up, because the crime in those wards less than the 46th ward. Yes I believe in affordable housing, but not at the expense of the neighborhood's safety. They need to find out where these criminals, gangs and whatever and hold the landlords accountable for who they let stay there...businesses won't come to 46th ward until the crime is brought down a great deal from where it is. Not sure of the cost and if the funds are available, but if they are I propose putting up police cameras in high crime areas. I live in an area that was high crime, (gangs, drugs) and they put up a camera on my corner (several years ago) and all the crime left the next day...and have not returned since...

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