TBT: Steamboat runs aground, creates Chicago neighborhood

This week in 1886, Captain George Wellington Streeter crashed his steamboat into a sandbar in Lake Michigan, beginning one of the strangest, most colorful sagas in the history of Illinois that led to the founding of one of Chicago’s most famous neighborhoods.

The Reutan was a 35-ton steamboat piloted by boatman, Civil War veteran and circus owner “Cap” Streeter, who was returning to Chicago from Milwaukee. Streeter’s boat ran aground on Lake Michigan near the present-day intersection of Fairbanks Court and Superior Avenue in Chicago on July 11, 1886. At that time, the city had not yet expanded to the east.  According to Cap and his wife Maria’s official statements, the Reutan was badly damaged by a storm when the wind and waves carried her to rest about 450 feet from shore.

The Streeters remained in the Reutan and invited local contractors to dump debris from the Chicago Fire, which had ravaged the city 15 years earlier, near the sand bar, creating a landfill which they claimed as their land. They named their 186 acres the District of Lake Michigan, which they claimed was a federal district independent of the state of Illinois. It was not until three years later that authorities would attempt to physically remove the Streeters from their land. With loaded rifles, George and Maria drove five constables out of the District of Lake Michigan.

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$30 million food incubator planned for Chicago’s West Side

CHICAGO – A Chicago food incubator is planning to open a new $30 million facility in the East Garfield Park Neighborhood of Chicago. The Hatchery, an organization that helps local restaurants grow and expand, announced it will open a 67,000 square foot facility in the impoverished West Side community.

The Hatchery is a joint venture between Accion Chicago, the Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago and the IFF, a Community Development Financial Institution that helps entrepreneurs with financing. The purpose of the Hatchery is to put all three areas needed for business success in one place: access to production space, financing and resources.

The Hatchery estimates the new facility will create up to 150 jobs the first year it opens, 2018. They also estimate that by year 5, almost 900 jobs will have been created locally.

The new facility will have everything local entrepreneurs need to start their business and live the American Dream. The facility will include 56 private production spaces, storage, a shared kitchen, event space, meeting rooms, training for entrepreneurs and Accion Chicago’s new headquarters.

Construction on the facility is planned to begin this fall and should be complete by the fall of 2018. The new facility will be located near the Kedzie Green Line station at Lake Street and Kedzie Avenue.

Illinois ranked as the best state for road safety

A recent report from the National Safety Council ranks Illinois as the top state in the nation for road safety. The State of Safety report focuses on eight categories, including: distracted driving impaired driving, seat belt usage, child passengers, older drivers, speeding, teen drivers and vulnerable road users.

Illinois’ top grade on road safety would not have been possible without the work and commitment of Senate President John Cullerton, who has championed traffic safety legislation over the past 30 years.

The Senate President began working to improve road safety early in his career when he sponsored the Child Passenger Protection Act in 1983. This law required children under age 4 to use child safety seats in cars. This legislation was later updated in 2003 to extend protections to children under the age of 8 with the addition of a booster seat requirement. To learn more about child passenger safety laws, click here.

Soon after that, the Senate President sponsored legislation to require front-seat passengers in cars to wear seat belts. At the time, just over 15 percent of passengers used seat belts. Now, that number has climbed to 94 percent. The Senate President expanded this legislation in 2011, when he sponsored a bill to require passengers in the back seat of vehicles to wear seat belts as well.

To combat the rising number of teen deaths and car accidents, in 2007, the Senate President helped implement graduated licenses for teens. Under this legislation, teens progress through a series of tiered driving restrictions as they gain more experience.

While serving as the Senate President, legislation to curb distracted driving was implemented. In the time it takes to look at a text message, a car traveling at 55 miles per hour will cover the length of a football field. Since 2014, driving while using a phone is a ticketable offense. Drivers are still able to use hands-free features on their phones and one-touch dialing.

These important pieces of legislation have saved countless lives and contributed to Illinois’ recognition for having the safest roads in the U.S.

Artist of the Month - Blaire Cloyd

• Artist of the month

Blaire Cloyd is a Springfield-based painter who leads paint parties for adults and children at local businesses in Springfield and the surrounding area.

ILI: How long have you been an artist or when did you start? Was there a single incident or moment when you realized this was your passion and if so, tell us about it?

BC: I truly believe that I was born with Art in my soul. Since I was young, I have always had a creative eye and absolutely loved producing work. I consider myself lucky because I had a critical support system. My parents, siblings, friends, and teachers were constantly encouraging my creativity by encouraging me to enter contests, take classes, etc. I came to know that Art was my passion in high school, when I became more aware that there is, and always will be, a future doing this; whether it be a career or even a side-hobby. Art always advances, and that fascinated me. This led me to Illinois College, where I studied Studio Art/Education. I have zero regrets about studying Art as a major. I learned and grew drastically in knowledge and as a studio artist. Art leads to many things, and for me it led to happiness, which is why I continue to produce today.

ILI: Illinois has been factored into your work in the past. What does being able to live and work in Illinois mean to you?

BC: There is a certain comfort someone feels about the place they were born and raised. The best way for me to describe my feelings about my home state is the compare them to being in a long-term relationship. There are highs and lows, but ultimately, you love your partner through thick and thin. And, you always come back because they are your rock; where you feel the most comfortable. Without them, you wouldn't be where you are today and there's an appreciation that comes from that.

ILI: What opportunities does Illinois present to local Illinois artists?

BC: I currently do adult/child paint parties in Springfield, and I have had tons of support from local businesses allowing me to come in, teach a class, and enjoy the food and drinks. To name a few: Burger Bar, Always After Five, Trail's End Saloon in Curran, Mario's in Chatham, Driftwood, and Rivertown Coffee and Wine Corner in Beardstown. Without the support of these local businesses, I wouldn't be able to do what I do.

ILI: What do you like about Illinois?

BC: Illinois is my "home sweet home." My family, friends, and my art knowledge all stem from here. This place fueled my artistic fire. 

ILI: What is your favorite medium to work in?

BC: I am a sucker for acrylic paint. I love instant gratification, and working with acrylic gives me that. It dries quickly, and is very easy to work with. The water-based nature helps the paint go farther than just what's in the tube. It's also fairly inexpensive, so I am able to create more for less.

ILI: Where can people view or purchase your work?

BC: I have a Facebook page called Paint Party by Blaire. I do everything from paint parties to canvas paintings, pallet paintings, and face painting. Basically, if you want something created, I'll get it done.

ILI: What artist inspires you and why?

BC: Banksy. I have been obsessed with this artist since college. The mystery behind this person is absolutely fascinating. Research Banksy and you'll understand why. (It's worth it.) "Balloon Girl" is my favorite piece. She's even tattooed on my arm.