Downtown belongs to everybody

By custom, the Chicago City Council approved whatever zoning decision an Alderman wanted, even following the desires of enemies of the Administration. Many Council members benefited financially from zoning changes in their wards and they didn’t want colleagues interfering with those transactions. 

43rd Ward Alderman Martin Oberman was criticized by Machine Aldermen for not adhering to that policy with regard to downtown proposals. “Downtown,” he declared, “belongs to everybody.”  

His colleagues disagreed. Downtown fell within Ald. Fred Roti’s 1st ward and Machine Aldermen felt they should defer to his wishes.