The Talker: Should city eliminate the `Taste of Chicago?`
Posted:
Updated:
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Should "The Taste of Chicago" be canceled permanently?
A group of aldermen want the city to at least consider it and one alderman is all but convinced it's time for "The Taste" to go.
The aldermen are demanding the city council hold hearings to look at nixing "The Taste" or to come up changes to make it a better investment.
The "Taste" has been losing money. Two years ago, it lost $1 million. Last year Mayor Emanuel shortened it to five days, scaled back the number of restaurants, tweaked amenities, and charged money for some concert seats, but "The Taste" lost even more money.
Aldermen say "The Taste" also sucks up police resources, and creates traffic and a bunch of other hassles downtown.
The downtown Alderman Bob Fioretti says with packed crowds and the heat, it's not even fun. He also adds it's not like the hotels are packed for the event, so there's no longer an economic spillover. Fioretti says unless someone proves "The Taste" brings economic opportunity and vitality to Chicago, it should be ended.
Others say "The Taste" is about more than money. They say it's fun and it also showcases the city.
As for Mayor Emanuel, he seems inclined to keep "The Taste," with some ongoing tweaks.
"I expect us to continue to make changes and modernize and reform the taste of Chicago so it better fits where we are today than where it was in the past," Emanuel says.
There is no talk of canceling this year's "Taste," as plans for that are already well in the works.
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:50 AM EDT2013-05-25 14:50:09 GMT
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another heart-wrenching tragedy.
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another "heart-wrenching" tragedy -- displaced pets.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Beauty used to be in the eye of the beholder. Nowadays, a phone-app is making some of the judgments. More than 5 million people have bought the "Ugly-Meter" app. Here's how it works: You take a photo,
Beauty used to be in the eye of the beholder. Nowadays, a phone-app is making some of the judgments. More than 5 million people have bought the "Ugly-Meter" app.
There's debate about how a school in Georgia -- and the local police department -- handled a 6- year- old who apparently threw a violent temper tantrum.
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:20 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:20:26 GMT
A northwest suburban Elgin woman faces felony charges for promoting the prostitution of a 17-year-old girl, following a three-month undercover investigation conducted by Aurora police.
A northwest suburban Elgin woman faces felony charges for promoting the prostitution of a 17-year-old girl, following a three-month undercover investigation conducted by Aurora police.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:40 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:40:54 GMT
As it waits to hear if it'll receive a $7 million bailout to stay open, Roseland Community Hospital laid off almost 70 employees, and other hospital employees will take a pay cut.
As it waits to hear if it'll receive a $7 million bailout to stay open, Roseland Community Hospital laid off almost 70 employees, and other hospital employees will take a pay cut.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:27 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:27:07 GMT
Portage Theater owner Eddie Carranza said the doors to the historic movie palace will stay closed for several months, or at least until he can transfer a license to a new operator.
Portage Theater owner Eddie Carranza said the doors to the historic movie palace will stay closed for several months, or at least until he can transfer a license to a new operator.
Saturday, May 25 2013 11:04 AM EDT2013-05-25 15:04:24 GMT
City residents sick of coupons piling up on their front doorsteps filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month urging the Chicago Tribune and Valassis Communications to stop distributing the mailings.
City residents sick of coupons piling up on their front doorsteps filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month urging the Chicago Tribune and Valassis Communications to stop distributing the mailings on their properties.
