EXPLAINED: 3 - The Real Truth

Fate of Taste in question thanks to busy summer in Grant Park, the first mayoral runoff debate and more in your Chicago news roundup

Today’s update is a five-minute read that will brief you on the day’s biggest stories.

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 8, 2023

Lollapalooza, Sueños organizers say they want to minimize impact on Grant Park, area residents during busy summer season

Grant Park will be taken over from mid-May through mid-August by the Lollapalooza and Sueños music festivals and the NASCAR Chicago street race, raising neighborhood concerns about crowds, security, noise.

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 8, 2023

Plan to move Taste of Chicago near Navy Pier draws City Council backlash

Mayor Lori Lightfoot blasted for creating “planning disaster” by proposing 4th of July weekend food fest be moved to accommodate takeover of Grant Park by city’s new NASCAR race.

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 7, 2023

Why critics say Lightfoot’s NASCAR deal is a wreck

Interviews with Chicago City Council members, experts and a WBEZ analysis of the contract show minimal financial benefit to the city and few specifics about who pays for related costs, such as security and clean up.

Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 21, 2022

Grant Park to get new pickleball courts, refurbished tennis courts

C3 Presents, which runs Lollapalooza, has donated $500,000 to the Chicago Park District.

Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 20, 2022

Columbus Day arrives, and still no Columbus statues

In August, the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans demanded that Columbus statues be returned to Grant and Arrigo parks by Columbus Day and protected at city expense. It didn’t happen, but the two sides are talking.

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 10, 2022

Chicago Marathon survival guide: Everything you need to know about Sunday’s race

Here’s how you can watch in person or from your couch, track a runner, plus tips on how to successfully maneuver around the city during the marathon Sunday.

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 6, 2022

Metra bids au revoir to Van Buren station’s Parisian-styled entrance

The commuter agency is replacing the ornate portal with a new and accessible entrance as part of a $100 million station upgrade.

Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 1, 2022

Too late to hit brakes on NASCAR, but Reilly moves to curb future special events

Among other things, the ordinance would require a City Council order for any athletic event or special event that allows the closure of a state route, an arterial street or more than four blocks of any other public way.

Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 21, 2022

Lollapalooza producers to pay $410,000 to clean up Grant Park after this year’s music festival

The price tag for restoring Chicago’s Grant Park after this year’s four-day Lollapalooza festival totaled more than $400,000, a $120,000 hike from the year before.

Chicago Tribune · Sep 6, 2022