Project: LOOP

Here’s a pretty rough outline of skateboarding in the city of Chicago. It’s not the easiest thing, living in quite possibly one of the most uptight cities in the states, but it gets done and here’s how.

• Interview with Ely Phillips

Okay, first and foremost.. who are you and what do you do?

I am Ely Phillips. I am 20 years old and I am a skateboarder and photographer

How long have you been skating?

Man, it’s been 11 rad years

Where are some worthwhile spots in the city?

If I told you I’d probably have to kill you… haha, well this city is made of marble which is probably the best to skate so just about anywhere, but to be more specific the north side has some fun spots but most of the good stuff is in the burbs

Ely wallride, photo by Phil Blair

How are the Chicago cops about skaters?

Depends what kind of day they’re having, Segway cops suck but are pretty funny because they’re on fucking segways, bike cops suck because they are sneaky, and cops on the beat suck because they are such assholes. Their bosses make them walk around all day, but most of the time if you show them respect they will try and show some back, just don’t be a jerk.

Any good police stories?

Well one time I was skating about half a block when I got stopped by the notorious segway dork-a-thon. I didn’t really notice him till I was stopped and he was yelling in my face, I got the entire story of how I should go to jail for causing an unsafe public enviorment and blah blah blah I wasn’t really looking him in the face too much because I thought I might start laughing at the sight of an overwieght blob on a segway blabbering and spiting so I diffused the situation by just walking into a building in between him trying to catch his breath.

Last weekend I got the cops called on me four times for trying to build a skate spot and was also told I’d be arrrested, but I’ve been pretty lucky as far as cops go. I know a few dudes who have racked up some hefty fines for skating in the city.

What else do you have to worry about when skating?

Mongoloid kooks on longboards, crazy people, falling in some sort of feces or loosing a board in the lake.

Thanks for losing a minute on this. Last words?

Thanks to everyone who supports the Chicago skate scene. Big ups to Uprise skate shop, all my homies who shred at Wilson skatepark. A few rad dudes who keep skateboarding fun and show tons of support: My Mom and Dad! Tucker Phillips, Phil Blair, Tylor O’, EZ-E, Pete Clod, Chazz and Mark Ortiz, Bill Wiora, Bob at Krush skatepark and anyone else who I forgot which is probably a lot I’m sorry, and thank you [Duo] this has been fun and a good reminder to me about how much I love skateboarding and this great city.

• Worthwhile Links, Skateshops

Chi-town Shred magazine

Uprise Skateshop on Milwaukee Ave.

Windward Sports near Belmont & Clark

Grind Gear Skateshop in Glenview

Shred Shop in Skokie