Chicago-pedia: Neighborhood stuff & politics

A woman runs along the Bloomingdale Trail (the 606) in Logan Square. | Sun-Times

An encyclopedia of the terms that define our city. In this edition, we cover some of Chicago’s neighborhoods and politicians.

FIRST NAMES: What we like to call Chicago politicians by (i.e. Rahm, Toni, Lori), treating them as close friends even if they’re hammering us with higher taxes.

TIF: “Tax increment financing,” a financial instrument used by local government to funnel taxpayer money to rich people under the guise of urban renewal.

THE 606: Popular running/riding/walking trail on an abandoned, elevated freight-train right of way; yoga pant capital of region.

BLOCK PARTY: Festive outdoor event in which a residential block is cordoned from traffic one day a year so residents can drink to excess and crawl home, while their children play in a bounce house.

Susan Smith/For the Sun-Times

DIBS: The unwritten Chicago code that says, if you’re the one shoveling out a parking spot on the street outside your home, you get to park there. Usually enforced by the presence of lawn chair or something else easily found in the garage. Woe to those who don’t abide.

219: Where political careers go to die. The address refers to 219 S. Dearborn St. in Chicago, home of the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, where federal prosecutors drag corrupt politicians to face the music. Mobsters don’t fare too well there, either.

SMOKE-FILLED ROOM: Place behind the scenes where politicians choose candidates. Origin: Suite 804-805 of the old Blackstone Hotel on South Michigan Avenue, where Republican bosses in 1920 chose Warren G. Harding as candidate for president. Increasingly archaic. See: Smoking bans. See: Latte-filled room.

ALDERMAN: 1. Mayor of ward.

2. At times prey for federal investigators and corrupt developers.

SHAME: Something most of our politicians have very little of.