Taste of Chicago's many vendor violations
Good morning, Chicago. ✶
🔎 Below: A WBEZ/Sun-Times analysis revealed dozens of violations for food kept at improper temperatures at this year's Taste of Chicago. We also discovered little evidence that private events, like Lollapalooza, are inspected at all.
🗞️ Plus: President Donald Trump's Chicago-area investments, a new ode to art house movies and theaters, and more news you need to know below.
📝 Keeping score: The Stars fell to the Spirit, 2-0.
☁️ Today's weather: Cloudy with light afternoon rain and a high near 63.
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⏱️: An 8-minute read
TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎
Two-thirds of Taste of Chicago vendors were flagged with health code violations
Reporting by Ambar Colón and Cam Rodriguez
Bad Taste?: At this year's Taste of Chicago, 81 vendors served up regional and international dishes to thousands of people across five days. The city's health inspectors logged more than 160 health code violations by those vendors during the festival, according to city records obtained by WBEZ and the Sun-Times. More than 70% of the fest's listed participants received violations, our analysis shows.
What was found: Overflowing garbage. Backed-up sinks. Food prepped in bushes. More than 800 pounds of food tossed due to improper temperatures. These are just a few examples of food safety problems city inspectors documented during the hot weekend in July when Taste took place in Grant Park.
Under the radar: We also found little evidence that some private events, like Lollapalooza and Riot Fest, are inspected at all.
POLITICS ✶
Despite harsh rhetoric, Trump has held significant investments in the Chicago area
Reporting by Robert Herguth
Records show: In addition to his namesake tower downtown, President Donald Trump's investments in the Chicago region include local government bonds, like the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, as well as stocks in publicly traded companies in the metro area, from AbbVie to United Airlines.
No comment: Neither the White House nor Trump's business entity, the Trump Organization, would comment. But Trump and his aides have said any trading in securities is done by third-party institutions to avoid the potential for a conflict of interest.
Key context: Chicago has been a favorite punching bag for Trump, who has infamously dispatched federal agents here to track down immigrants without legal status in sometimes aggressive fashion, and he has railed against crime in the city even as crime rates have improved.
ELECTIONS ✅
Voters gear up for consequential midterms
Reporting by Sun-Times and WBEZ staff
Election Day eve: After the seemingly endless television ads, campaign mailers and text message outreach, Illinois midterms are Tuesday. Polls open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Today is the last day of early voting.
Races to watch: The U.S. Senate, 4th Congressional District, governor, attorney general, secretary of state, heated Chicago School Board races and more.
Be prepared: Don't miss our free Voter Guide, which gives you the rundown on each candidate and breaks down the stakes of major races. We've also got a tool you can use to build your ballot so there are no surprises when you hit the polls.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️
- Priest removed: The Archdiocese of Chicago removed the Rev. Samson Mukundia from a McKinley Park parish after he was accused of "inappropriate physical contact" and "boundary violations" with an adult.
- ‘Broadview 6' case: A controversial top Justice Department official inserted himself into Chicago's "Broadview Six" case Friday, insisting "the United States has not agreed to provide any information" sought by the judge, who might name a special prosecutor to look into alleged wrongdoing by the feds.
- NU breakthrough: Northwestern University physicists have figured out how to trap a fast-moving, fickle particle that is notoriously difficult to study. Their discovery could make or break a long-standing theory in physics explaining why our universe looks the way it does.
- Hospital kitchen reopens: Following health department reports of a "cockroach infestation" that contributed to a failed health inspection, Illinois Masonic Medical Center's cafeteria and kitchen has reopened.
- Kiss-cam fallout: A lawsuit accuses Lyons Township of violating the state's open records law by not turning over video and other records relating to an incident in which Lyons Clerk Elyse Hoffenberg was kissed by Bridgeview Mayor Steve Landek after hours at a government office.
- Indie film celebration: The city plans to host a Chicago Cinema Weekend from March 19-21. It will feature special programming, giveaways and screenings of films, from independent new releases to Chicago-made classics.
- Geese review: During their Halloween set at the Salt Shed, the Brooklyn quartet was loud, proud and showed they had nothing left to prove to doubters, writes Selena Fragassi.
ON WBEZ 91.5 FM 📻
In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons, 9 a.m.
- Clergy delegation: Fresh off a trip to the Vatican to meet with Pope Leo XIV about immigrant rights, we check back in with local clergy.
- Police misconduct: What's being done to prevent future police misconduct cases? WTTW's Heather Cherone and Bob Boik of the Civic Committee and the Commercial Club join the show to discuss.
What's that building?: Dennis Rodkin of Crain's Chicago Business takes you inside the Robert R. McCormick Leadership and Economic Opportunity Center.
Say More with Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith, 10 a.m.
- Time change: How is daylight saving time working out for you? Guest Sen. Rachel Ventura (D-43rd) and callers weigh in.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭
Today's clue: Team that meets the Seahawks for Monday Night Football... tonight!
FROM THE PRESS BOX 🏈⚾🏒
- Stage is set: Monday night is primetime for Caleb Williams to state his case for MVP, writes Patrick Finley.
- Cubs crowned: Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and third baseman Alex Bregman won Gold Glove Awards, cementing the Cubs' reputation as baseball's best defense.
- 10 years later: Monday marks a decade since the Cubs won the 2016 World Series. We talked with the men who made up that team, and also heard from fans about that historic night.
- Sox focus group: Focus group invites were recently emailed to White Sox fans as part of an attempt by minority owner Justin Ishbia's City River Holdings to seek feedback on the venture's stadium proposal.
- Trade predictions: Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson could explore a trade to shake up his struggling roster. There is a clear type of forward he needs and reportedly is targeting.
- High school football: Nazareth and Lyons return to the rankings in Michael O'Brien's Super 25 high school football rankings for Week 12.
BRIGHT ONE 🔆
Upside Down flips the traditional parade for Halloween attendees
Reporting by Sun-Times and WBEZ staff
South Siders had a bright start to Halloween Saturday at the Upside Down Parade — an event that turns attendees into paraders.
Dressed in costume, families joined the procession down Russell Drive in Washington Park with entertainment from dance teams, musicians, acrobats, sports mascots and more lining the route as they walked.
The parade route also featured stations to grab candy, get school supplies, take photos, and even paint a group mural.
YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️
What's something every Chicagoan can agree on?
Reply to this question via email (please include your first and last name). We may run your answer in a future newsletter or story.
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Written and curated by: Matt Moore
Editor: Michael Lansu
Copy edited by: Satchel Price
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