The Town of Chicago was incorporated in 1833, four years before the place became a chartered City. It’s official. Today is the 186th birthday of the City of Chicago. Must be. It says it right there on the official seal, “Incorporated March 4, 1837.” Well, that just makes it the birthday of an official municipal incarnation. Other dates could also be the occasion for breaking out the birthday cake, depending on your taste. The City, being the City, of course prefers the date when the Illinois General Assembly issued it official letter or marque granting it exclusive rights to legally fleece the citizenry within its boundaries. In the good ol ’ days, say back in the reignsof Jane Byrne or Daley the Younger the ...