Two Years After Airport Destroyed, Mayoral Residence Leveled

04.01.05 Special Edition: Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's officials residence was destroyed early Friday morning by bulldozers and heavy equipment operating under cover of darkness. It was remarkably similar to the destruction of Meigs Field, which Daley ordered accomplished in the deep of night two years ago.

A demolition order posted on a nearby telephone pole said the mansion was being razed to make way for a new city park. Park District officials, however, said they were unaware of any such plans.

"What the hell is this?" demanded Hizzoner as he awoke al fresco, his bedroom fully exposed to the cool morning breeze. A group of reporters had gathered at what was once his doorstep, broadcasting live from the sidewalk nearby.

"Get outta here!" the mayor shouted to reporters, peaking around a wrecked bedroom wall. "I'm not wearing pajama bottoms!"

The stately Chicago Mayor's Mansion had fallen into disrepair since Daley took up residence. There were reports of strange noises -- howling, screaming and rattling chains -- since shortly after he became the city's chief executive.

There was no immediate indication of who might have ordered the destruction of the mayor's home, nor of exactly who carried it out. By dawn, the bulldozers, backhoes and dump trucks had disappeared from the neighborhood with the last vestiges of night.

"Well, certainly, don't look at us," said Rachel Goodsteen of the Meigs Action Committee. "We were all in Cicero last night, having pizza."

FMI: www.friendsofmeigs.org