Political Quotes

“Today when you look at Chicago's West Loop neighborhood, you will see new lofts and condominiums, trendy restaurants, and many people moving in. But 50 years ago, it was one of the poorest parts of Chicago. It used to be called 'Skid Row' and was crowded with warehouses and boarded-up businesses. Not much of that past is left there today, except for a few brick buildings and Chicago's largest addiction and mental health treatment facility, Haymarket Center, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. When Haymarket Center was founded in 1975, not many people would venture to the West Loop. Many locals were experiencing addiction and alcoholism, and the stigmas surrounding those diseases were devastating. At the time, the sentiment in America was that addiction was a personal failure. Those who suffered from addiction were cast out of society, isolated from their families, and denied the treatment they so desperately needed. Instead of being sent to hospitals, they would be sent to jails. However, there was one man willing to venture to Skid Row. He had rosy Irish cheeks and a slight limp, and he was committed to helping those who had no one else to care for them. His name was Monsignor Ignatius McDermott, but we all knew him as Father Mac. Father Mac was a friend of mine; he was a model of compassion, commitment, and service.”