Chicago's Blossoming?

I'll be honest, this article in the New York Times doesn't have much to do with the South Loop (however it does briefly talk about the 2016 Olympic Bid), but it has some good information about Chicago's recent "blossoming".

It also talks about Obama replacing Oprah:

One sign that the Obama brand is replacing the Oprah brand? The talk show tycoon is not mentioned in the city’s new tourism campaign, which invites visitors to “Experience the city the Obamas enjoy.” Ms. Winfrey’s studio is not mentioned along the list of stops, which range from Mr. Bayless’s restaurants to a bookstore in the Obamas’ Hyde Park neighborhood to Promontory Point along Lake Michigan. And souvenirs are on sale across town, with Obama shirts, hats and knickknacks arriving just in time for holiday shopping.