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James Beard Award finalists littered with Illinois bars, restaurants and chefs

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James Beard Award finalists littered with Illinois bars, restaurants and chefs


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Chefs, restaurants and restaurateurs from Illinois have been an announced for the annual James Beard awards.

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The finalists were recently announced.

The competition is considered to be one of the nation’s most prestigious honors in the food industry.

Here’s what to know.

What semifinalists were nominated from Illinois?

  • Frontier and Ina Mae Tavern, Chicago – Best Restaurant Semifinalist
  • Lee Wolen of Boka, Chicago – Outstanding Chef presented by Hilton
  • Galit, Chicago – Outstanding Restaurant presented by Acqua Panna Natural Spring Water
  • Jacob Potashnick of Feld, Chicago – Emerging Chef presented by S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water
  • Cariño, Chicago – Best New Restaurant
  • Leigh Omilinsky of Daisies, Chicago – Outstanding pastry Chef
  • Elske, Chicago – Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
  • Kumiko, Chicago – Outstanding Bar
  • Bisous, Chicago – Best New Bar
  • Truce, Chicago – Best New Bar
  • Marika Josephson and Aaron Kleidon of Scratch Brewing, Ava – Outstanding Professional in Beverage Services
  • Thomas Kakalios of Asador Bastian, Chicago – Outstanding Professional in Beverage Services
  • Christopher Marty of Best Intentions, Chicago – Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Services

Are there any ties to Springfield?

Yes. Boka Restaurant Group was founded by Rob Katz and Springfield native Kevin Boehm in 2002. Boehm has established himself as one of the world’s foremost hospitality visionaries, opening 40 restaurants over the past three decades.

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About the James Beard Awards

The James Beard Awards recognizes exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system, as well as a demonstrated commitment to equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.

What do winners receive?

Along with the prestige of winning, all James Beard Award winners receive a certificate, and a medallion engraved with the James Beard Foundation Awards insignia.

When will winners be announced?

The list will be narrowed down in the coming weeks, with the final nominees made public in April. The winners will be announced in June in Chicago.

Claire Grant writes about business, growth and development and other news topics for The State Journal-Register. She can be reached at CLGrant@gannett.com; and on X (Formerly known as Twitter): @Claire_Granted

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Illinois

How could ‘mega-projects’ bill aimed at keeping Bears in Illinois impact taxpayers?

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How could ‘mega-projects’ bill aimed at keeping Bears in Illinois impact taxpayers?


CHICAGO (WLS) — There are new questions on Tuesday about how taxpayers could be impacted by the so-called “mega-projects” bill.

Lawmakers this week are finalizing the bill, which would provide tax breaks for developers of big projects, including a new Bears stadium.

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Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is hoping a new report will give lawmakers something to think about as they work on the bill that could determine if the Bears stay in Illinois or move across the border to Indiana.

The Bears’ campaign for a new domed stadium in Arlington Heights hinges on legislative support for a bill that would provide them with property tax certainty over the next 40 years.

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“It’s a complicated situation, because it’s not finalized, and there are hundreds of unanswered questions in this, but the primary question is, ‘What happens to Joe Homeowner?’ And there’s no fiscal impact study here,” Pappas said.

So, researchers from Pappas’ office looked into what impact the “mega-projects” bill would have, asking the question: How will taxpayers benefit if there’s no expansion of the property tax base and only limited sales tax benefit?

Their report says the tax on the current undeveloped property in Arlington Heights was $3.6 million in 2024.

Under the “mega-projects” bill, the tax would be frozen at that level with annual increase based on inflation. It would be coupled with a special annual payment to local taxing bodies estimated to be around $10 million.

Based on the estimated value of a new stadium, the Bears would get an annual tax break of $39 million.

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Pappas’ message to Springfield is, “Put the brakes on and say, ‘What’s the fiscal impact, and what does that mean?’ That means, how much is the homeowner going to have to pick up if somebody gets a billion-and-a-half tax break?”

Before the end of the legislative session on Sunday night, lawmakers are trying to balance helping the Bears and taxpayers to avoid the possibility that the team gives up on Arlington Heights and instead leaves Soldier Field for the offer from Indiana to build a stadium in Hammond, which is the only other site the team says it is considering.

“The real comparison is between a negotiated payment on a real development versus zero taxes on a vacant or stalled site. I wish someone would do a report on that, because that’s the real question for Illinois people, Illinois taxpayers, to have to answer,” said Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago.

The governor’s office reiterated on Tuesday that his goal is to pass something that encourages large developments and protects the taxpayers.

While the clock is ticking for lawmakers to revise and pass a megaprojects bill, in Springfield terms, there always seems to be enough time to get done the things that need to get done.

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Temps Stay In The 80s All Week For Chicago Area

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Temps Stay In The 80s All Week For Chicago Area


Temperatures in the upper 80s are possible Tuesday and Wednesday, as “warm and dry conditions are expected for the majority of the week,” the National Weather Service shared.

Tuesday and Wednesday both have a high of 86 degrees. It will be cooler near the lake, with temps in the 70s.

The weather service said “daily lake breezes will keep temperatures cool near the lakeshore…”

Thursday will have a high of 81 and Friday a high of 82 degrees. According to the weather service, temps will be in the 60s near the lake for the end of the week.

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The daily lake breezes and cold front will result in “building waves and dangerous swimming conditions at Lake Michigan beaches,” on Wednesday night and Thursday, according to the weather service.

The rest of the week should also remain dry, besides a low chance of showers and storms late Wednesday, the weather service said.

Here is a more detailed look at the weather for the rest of the week, per the weather service:

TUESDAY: Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Southeast wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 10 mph.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

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WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Light and variable wind becoming northeast 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. North northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

THURSDAY: Sunny, with a high near 74. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.

FRIDAY: Sunny, with a high near 80.

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FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear, with a low around 56.





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Clock ticking on Bears stadium bill as Illinois lawmakers face deadline

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Clock ticking on Bears stadium bill as Illinois lawmakers face deadline


With just days left in the Illinois legislative session, lawmakers are still debating the megaprojects bill tied to the Chicago Bears’ proposed Arlington Heights stadium while Indiana continues pushing to bring the team across state lines.



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