wrote:
I hate to sound cynical, but it sounds to me like hizzoner wants to be
able to land in a helicopter near downtown, and for his well-heeled
friends. IMO, It has nothing to do with security.

NW memorial hospital is nearby, the pad has to be attractive for their
clientele.
The pilots of the well-heeled better be well-prepared, the nearest fire
station is 3 minutes
away on Columbus Drive. (In a real emergency, Colum. Dr. could be
closed off and used
for mulitple landing sites in Grant Park; remove the traffic signal
masts and planes could
land too...JG)