Pa·nop·ti·con n. A prison so contructed that the inspector can see each of the prisoners at all times, without being seen.

"Morals reformed - health preserved - industry invigorated - instruction diffused - public burthens lightened - Economy seated, as it were, upon a rock *** all by a simple idea in Architecture!" -- Jeremy Bentham, English philosopher and designer of the panopticon.

From your Chicago Sun-Times:

Chicago businesses open between the hours of 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. would be required to install indoor and outdoor surveillance cameras to fight crime, under a watered-down ordinance tailor-made to soften opposition.

Instead of requiring cameras at every licensed business open more than 12 hours a day, Ald. Ray Suarez (31st) has narrowed his focus to businesses open during the eight-hour window when most crimes are committed.

Mayor Daley embraced the alderman's more radical approach 14 months ago. But the mayor's support was not enough to get the ordinance out of a City Council committee. The License Committee is scheduled to consider the softer version on Monday.

Previously: Chicago -- City of Big [Brother Looking Over Your] Shoulders, Parts One and Two.