John C. Kluczynski Federal Building — Local services in Chicago

Hanging out in "THE PLATZ" If we were in Germany then we would call this place Federal Platz but we are not so we call it Federal Plaza. The reason I would love to call it "The Platz" is because it is the site of the annual Oktoberfest celebration hosted every year by the Berghoff Restaurant. In 2013, it was the 28th annual event making it one of the longest running street fairs. This is probably one of my favorite outdoor festivals in Chicago. But this isn't the only cool thing that happens here.

Before I continue with the party, let's learn a little history about Federal Plaza. The Plaza is an urban square that brings together Ludwig Miles van der Rohe's group of 3 buildings, which happen to be the Everett Mckinley Dirksen building, the Post Office & John C Kluczynski building. Did you know that the granite tiles in the plaza flow into the lobbies of the above buildings? Next time you are there check it out. There are also low rectangular granite benches too, so you can sit and relax.

My favorite part of the plaza is the splash of color and this is provided by Alexander Calder's red sculpture. It is a 53 foot Flamingo just hanging out in a sea of grey tones. It was commissioned by the Government and then installed in 1974. There was a great celebration to honor the artist, in fact they had a parade for him in which, Alex Calder sat in a circus wagon that was drawn by 40 horses. Now that is a party!

There is also a weekly farmers market here too and it is seasonal. I am sure no one is buying tomatoes out here in the middle of January. I've stopped by a few times to check it out. It typically runs on Tuesdays from 7am to 3pm and ends in late October. So get out of your stuffy office for some cheese, flowers & produce.

This place serves its purpose because it is a great place for the people of Chicago to gather and have a great time. Speaking of great times, they also have political speeches in the plaza too. Can you sense my sarcasm?

It seems like every time I walk by there is something fun going on in here. That is what inspired me to write this review plus no one ever reviewed the poor plaza.

The other day I was walking through the Plaza and a radio station was giving away free lunch. It was a great surprise to come across this. So I decided to jump in with my fellow city dwellers and grab some free food. There were also other tents where you could get free stuff but I did visit them because I really wasn't looking to win free siding for my house. They were also playing music from the radio station too and one of the on-air personalities was trying to be funny during commercial breaks.

So next time you are in the LOOP, then take a detour through here and see what is going on. You never know what fun stuff you will find...you might stumble into a free lunch or an Oktoberfest celebration. Hopefully you do not run into a boring political speech because that would not be fun. Luckily for me that has not happen yet but I have seen my fair share of small protesters hanging out with there bed sheet signs and that is political enough for me not to ruin the Plaza Party!

Platzs's are a place for people to hangout in and the Federal Plaza is a great place to do that in downtown...

March 7th Of This Year Early Morning Both Female Cook County Officers At The Checkpoint Were Very Unprofessional, Rude, Uncouth & ghetto-Fabulous; My Expensive Brand New Mascara Was Confiscated While Sheriff Is On A Personal Phone Call and she wouldn’t return it to me while she’s claiming that it was causing machine to beep?! She insulted my intelligence because I know I have several portable chargers in my bag, which was the problem, but when I asked for them to return it, I was simply told to “move on”! Just Because I’m A Disabled Individual With A Rollator That’s Not Reason Enough For Those Two Young Adults To Treat Me unethically and so disrespectful. Building management needs to review surveillance footage for that particular day. This happened approximately 11am in the morning and I’m sure I was the only female with a Rollator whereas you can see her holding on to my expensive mascara while on a personal phone call, which is Highly unethical. They both act as if they were some dirty sheriffs That Were Transferred There From Maybe A Prison Atmosphere The Reason Why They couldn’t return my expensive mascara that I’d purchased the day prior. Mascara is not a threat. They knew good and well that the machine was beeping because of my portable chargers Patrons BEWARE Of personal effects, being unlawfully taken from by Female county sheriff at the checkpoint for their own personal usage and then them telling You In A Rude Manner to just move on😢 I’m A Disabled Grandmother With A Rollator Mobility Device But That Gives Those Two Young Adults Absolutely NO Rights To Disrespect &...

Site of the former Chicago Federal Building 1898-1965.

A powerful bomb exploded on the building's north side September 4, 1918, killing four people and injuring 75 others, destroying the entrance doors and damaging windows of buildings across Adams Street. Two mail clerks and two patrons were killed in the explosion, which was immediately blamed upon the radical Industrial Workers of the World, which had recently been involved in a mass trial at the location.

Substitute mailman Walt Disney was in the building and missed getting caught up in the blast by...