A lot of things happened in 1990 that shouldn’t have–ranging from Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait to the failures of the Hubble telescope to Binney & Smith’s decision to retire four highly regarded Crayola colors, including raw umber. It has been a year of the gauche, the goofy, and the gross–in the Chicago area as much as anywhere else. The predictable assortment of senseless crimes, tragic accidents, natural catastrophes, and stupid decisions could shake one’s confidence any year, but in 1990 the bizarre often had a special bite. In case you’ve forgotten, here’s a month-by-month sampler of local doings that should not and need not have happened.
FEBRUARY
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Without warning, the newly installed local school council at Morgan Park High School terminates principal Walter Pildtich, despite improved reading and math scores under his administration and a massive show of support for him by parents and students. The council’s explanation: “You can’t do the job unless you’re Spanish.” Before the year ends some 25 other principals get a council boot, many for similar reasons.
Though heralded as a heady, refreshing alternative to other Chicago magazines, Chicago Times ceases publishing after less than three years. Given the departure of its chief funder and the failure to find new investors, the ambitious venture is doomed.
Having lost his primary bid for Cook County board president, Judge R. Eugene Pincham goes on a rampage, denouncing as racists Paul Simon, Richard Phelan, Neil Hartigan, and practically every other white candidate. The voters respond to his race-based call to arms largely by staying home on election day.
JULY
The Illinois Commerce Commission names Michael Hasten chairman of its task force to study possible changes in the laws regulating phone service, even though commission members are aware that Hasten is a registered lobbyist for Illinois Bell. One commission member hastens to explain that the new chairman would never allow his lobbying duties to interfere with his concerns for the consumer.
