Foodievents

Taste of Chicago Won’t Go Private

You'll be able to go for free.
You’ll be able to go for free. Photo: Tammy Green

We are not sure whether this is good news or bad news: After months of speculation and loads of controversy, Mayor Daley rejected the one and only proposal to privatize Taste of Chicago. The only bidder was Celebrate Chicago, which originally wanted to charge a $20 entrance fee to the formally free event. The company revised that bid down to $10 on Monday. That was apparently still too much for Daley, who wanted the massive summer festival to remain free. It looks like no private company would bite. According to Budget Director Eugene Munin, the “proposed entry fee for the Taste of Chicago is unacceptable for Chicagoans and our visitors.” [Sun Times]

Taste of Chicago Won’t Go Private