Highland Park City Council agreed to allow Smashing Pumpkins singer Billy Corgan to keep a large neon sign in the window of his tea shop.
The nearly 4-foot-tall neon sign in the windows of Corgan's Madame ZuZu's Tea House is five times larger than a city permitted sign. The city also said it's 130 times the allowable size for a neon sign.
Corgan wanted special permission to keep the sign and was prepared to go before the City Council Friday night, but they unanimously and quickly approved his request to keep it before he could do so.
"I'm really pleased," Corgan said about the council's decision. "I feel really strongly as a member of this community that I want to bring business to this community and one thing I stressed to the council in my letter was that, in a world that we live in, a social media focal point is very important and everyone that comes to ZuZu's on the town takes a picture in front of that sign. I knew from my years in rock and roll that you need something like that and so, we've drawn a lot of business to the community from out of state."
In his letter submitted to the city, Courgan claimed that he was unaware his management team didn't reportedly ask the city if this sign could be installed.
"We depend on drive-by traffic for business," Courgan wrote to the council. "Our sign informs the public we're open without distracting them. It does not obscure the vision of motorists. It does not shine light into any neighboring business and most importantly is not detrimental to public welfare."
Neighboring businesses said they were fine with the sign and that it wasn't causing any problems.
"It's good for us because it's bringing a lot of attention and interest to the area which is good for business," Daren Erjavic of Ravinia BBQ & Grill says. "I'm aware that he's the owner, but regardless of who owns the place, I think the fuss over a big sign is not a big deal."
Thursday, June 13 2013 1:45 PM EDT2013-06-13 17:45:09 GMT
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:19 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:19:20 GMT
Nine Lafayette Elementary parents and students have occupied a Lafayette Elementary school classroom, in a sit-in style protest against the school's closing.
Nine Lafayette Elementary parents and students have occupied a Lafayette Elementary school classroom, in a sit-in style protest against the school's closing.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:27 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:27:06 GMT
Now that obesity has been officially classified as a disease by the AMA, many are wondering how this will affect the 35.7 percent of Americans who are described as obese.
Now that obesity has been officially classified as a disease by the AMA, many are wondering how this will affect the 35.7 percent of Americans who are described as obese.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:14 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:14:33 GMT
Two government aid programs somehow became one Wednesday afternoon on the West Side. Hundreds of people lined up for both food and flood assistance at the state office at Chicago and Pulaski.
Two government aid programs somehow became one Wednesday afternoon on the West Side. Hundreds of people lined up for both food and flood assistance at the state office at Chicago and Pulaski.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:10 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:10:10 GMT
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 3:48 PM EDT2013-06-19 19:48:47 GMT
A body found in the water off the 39th street beach Wednesday has been positively identified as missing University of Chicago student Austin Hudson-Lapore, the Cook County Medical Examiner's office confirmed.
A body found in the water off the 39th street beach Wednesday has been positively identified as missing University of Chicago student Austin Hudson-Lapore, the Cook County Medical Examiner's office confirmed.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 2:12 PM EDT2013-06-19 18:12:39 GMT
Police are urging parents and community members to exercise caution after a man tried luring an 11-year-old girl into a car in the North Side Albany Park neighborhood.
Police are urging parents and community members to exercise caution after a man tried luring an 11-year-old girl into a car in the North Side Albany Park neighborhood.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 2:08 PM EDT2013-06-19 18:08:32 GMT
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
