Reporter's Notebook: No Chicago This Year…

Sadly, we did not make the Chicago Auto Show this year.

Not because of the “lack of news.” There was some with Subaru committing to a new generation hybrid driveline for the Forester and Crosstrek – third time lucky, you might say. Plus, the unveiling of the Forester Wilderness wearing the latest body style. 

Simply put, it was our health. George got sick and my left foot imploded again. End of story.

We may have saved ourselves some effort, money, fuel – among several factors. Yet, it also saved us from any further long-term issues upon our collective efforts.

We went from planning on beating a snow and ice storm through Wisconsin to one of us ending up in the hospital. 

Yet, we weren’t the only ones. Two of our colleagues were en route to the airport when one of them got sick. They turned around and went home. A few others simply stayed home – reasons ranging from the illness that has been going around the country lately to simply not seeing the value of attending if they are unable to recoup a return on investment. Automotive “content creation” is a business after all. 

If we actually attended the show, we would’ve been a bit more creative about what to do there. We had appointments to conduct interviews, hand off #VOTY2024, and check out vehicles “in the flesh” for the first time since their unveiling. I was actually curious about the new Dodge Charger Daytona EV. 

However, one must work through priorities. Health and life are chiefly important. Message received again.

I will admit that this time around I was not as optimistic about my outcomes. If I even made it to Chicago, I feared that I might not make it work. Without going into further detail, I had a bad hunch that it would not end well. Especially, when I also feared that parts of my body could fail me. For the record, I did not order an electric scooter as I had the past two years. That mobility device worked perfectly to cover the square footage at McCormick Place. 

Being disabled has it challenges. Gaining and retaining respect is one. While things have improved over the years, our society does a very poor job dealing with disabled people – not just people with physical and visible disabilities. 

Yet, it also has its positive points. I am reminded again that I am not the only one who is disabled and working in this business. If they can do it at the highest level, I can, too. 

In all, there is something worth working towards. The encouragement I received from our website and YouTube traffic. People are continuing to read, watch, comment, engage, and so forth. Add the personal messages I received from you also adding to the encouragement towards recovering from this “bump in the road” health-wise. 

A lot of decisions were made – similar to ones made over the past few years. Not just to live, but to work towards healing my left foot with less bones than before. One that allows for more recovery time. 

In the wake of not going to Chicago, my colleagues and industry contacts that I was in touch with hoped that I would be at May’s Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. I look forward to seeing them there. That is my only goal and commitment I will make this year. 

If you’re asking about car shows and other automotive-related events in the Twin Cities and beyond, I doubt I’ll be able to fulfill any invitations or commit to an event at this time. 

Admitting myself to the hospital was the smartest thing to do at that moment. Perhaps getting through this latest health episode will be worth it in the end. At least, I hope so. 

All photos by Randy Stern