Tom Rosenberg, the alleged shakedown victim in the federal corruption case of Springfield political boss William Cellini, is often referred to as a Hollywood movie producer.

And it is true that he is a producer. He’s made dozens of films in the last two decades, including the haunting “Million Dollar Baby” directed by Clint Eastwood.

But here’s the thing about Rosenberg. He might eat in Hollywood. He might do business in Hollywood. But he’s not some Hollywood guy.

He’s a Chicago guy.

This notion that if you’re not from here you can’t really understand the place in ways we native-born understand it certainly burns some people. But there are a few outlanders, even Cardinals fans, who understand the place.

What Rosenberg said might seem rather xenophobic, even parochial, definitely clannish, perhaps even tribal.

So medieval. So Chicago.

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