Back in the late '60s or early '70s, the lyrics for a Noxema shaving cream jingle included the line, "Noxema feels so good it was almost banned in Boston."  Apparently Beantown had developed a rap for being Bantown back then.  Today, it seems as if Chicago is vying for that title.

This week the city that banned Foie Gras is again making national headlines for a proposed ban.  This time it's on "self-sealing plastic bags under two inches in either height or width."

Supporters suggest the ban would adversely affect those selling and buying crack cocaine and other street drugs often sold in such packaging.  Prior to the final vote, the Chicago Sun-Times reports that concerns raised about citizens being penalized for legitimate uses of the bags - such as extra buttons sold with clothing, or jewelry repair - were addressed.  Violators of the ban would be punished by a $1,500 fine.

This latest City Council ban got us thinking about all the other things that you can't do, buy, watch or have legally in Chicago anymore.  Some make more sense than others, and it seems enforcement varies greatly.

Here's our quick list of Banned in Chicago, in no particular order:

• Handguns
• Smoking in public places
• Hand-held cellular phone use while driving (note, Illinois prohibits headphone or earplug use while driving)
• Soda (Pop) and candy (in Chicago Public Schools)
• Begging or pan-handling
• Spray paint (sale of, within city limits)
• The Cobra XRS R9G (a traditional radar detector that also tracks the location of red-light cameras  through GPS)
• Brent Kowalkoski (from Wrigley Field)
• Stun guns
• Dove's "Pro-Age" TV ad
• My Space access from public schools and libraries
• Ads for the New Line Pictures release Nativity Story (from Christmas festivals)
• Billboard ads for alcohol
• Pet chickens
• Marijuana-flavored lollipops and gum drops
• Murphy the Goat of Billy Goat's Tavern (also from Wrigley Field)