Two large labor organizations announced that they had reached agreements with key employers yesterday. At Peoria's Caterpillar, all seven of the United Auto Workers locals that represent some 6,000 hourly workers approved a six-year agreement which bargaining committee members said was “is as good as we’re going to get, this time.” more ›

"I know it's pretty unbearable outside, but would you like to put on the beekeeper suit before we hit the roof?" Myk Banas, Executive Chef of the Marriott Chicago asked as we wound our way trough the service staircases. more ›

For travelers the world over, the Michelin Guides often serve as an ultimate decoder for unfamiliar cities. For chefs, earning a star from the Michelin Guide, while not on the level of a Beard Award, is still such a significant accomplishment that many of them list the recognition in their résumés. more ›

Scott Kleinberg with the Red Eye posted about the 10 dirtiest hotels in the nation as ranked by TripAdvisor this afternoon, with a call out requesting your filthiest Chicago hotel experiences. Thankfully, most of the Chicagoist afternoon tryst hotel stays have been on the up and up. But since we've also recently seen reporters busting out the Dave Savini Patented Blacklight story on morning TV, it seems that hotel filth is in the air. (Hopefully , not literally.) more ›

The national debate over health care reform has dragged on for so long, across so many different proposals, that it's hard to keep track of what the Senate or the House might be considering this week. But here in Chicago, the very real cost associated with covering employees is manifesting itself in very direct ways. Unite Here Local 1, the union that represents hotel and hospitality workers in the city is in negotiations over the labor agreement that will cover 6,000 workers downtown, and 15,000 workers in the area. And while the contract expired in August, both the union and the hotels around town are still far from an agreement. Like they did three years ago, the union is negotiating with the major hotel chains separately this year, starting with Hyatt. Unlike in 2006, when Unite Here was able to make gains on the wage increases they bargained in 2003, employers are pushing for concessions this time, due in part to the recession. "Things have gotten really bad," Unite Here Local 1 spokeswoman Annemarie Strassel told the Tribune. "I think that employers see the bad economy as an opportunity to ram through proposals." Hyatt's proposal would leave half of their unionized employees ineligible for health insurance. more ›

Chicago's hotel workers are clocking in today without a union contract, as negotiators from UNITE-HERE Local 1 and the Hotel Employers Labor Relations Association has yet to reach an agreement on a new pact. The previous contract expired at last night at midnight. “It’s been a fight to even just get to the table,” a spokeswoman for the hotel workers’ union told Crain's. “We’re not close, and I think we’re looking at the possibility of a major fight.” more ›

With more out-of-town, internationally acclaimed chefs now able to find Chicago on a map, we could be reaching a point where "Rock Star Chef City" hits critical mass. And that's without Gordon Ramsay's recent threats to test the local waters. In short, when a chef earns the name recognition and acclaim affording him to branch out to different cities, he starts to balance that fine line between chef and restaurateur that draws the watchful eyes of the critics. more ›

] if you haven't figured it out a stay-cation is a lot like a vacation...but you don't go too far from home. Duh. more ›

We just pissed away, oh, an hour perusing the Chicago Postcard Museum. Howdy, The City Beautiful, Hi, Hi There Toots and the Aragon are our faves. more ›

Even though Barack Obama came in second last night in New Hampshire, he's still number one in Chicago. In fact, the City by the Lake loves Obama so much that we're throwing him a $1000-a-plate fundraiser "Welcome Home" dinner this Thursday. Peoples Gas Co. President Desiree Rogers will be hosting Obama in her Gold Coast home on January 10. Also listed on the invitation are some of Obama's more monied backers, including developer Neil Bluhm, Commonwealth Edison President Frank Clark, Hyatt Hotels heiress Penny Pritzker, Ariel Capital Management founder John Rogers Jr., and Democratic money man Lou Sussman. One-time rival for US Senate and #1 Obama Superfan Dan Hynes is also listed on the invite. more ›

There's not a whole hell of a lot going on today, or hadn't you noticed? We're still thinking about that tiger attack in SF, but now we're also thinking about how telegenic Chicago can be. Por ejemplo: more ›

at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom. Because who wants to shake hands in a cold Iowa parking lot when you can kick it at the Hyatt in Chicago? more ›

We would like to take a moment to thank this week's advertisers on Chicagoist. Dewars Repeal Day, because you shouldn't take the right to have a drink for granted. Sony Card, because you'll get a free MP3 player if you apply. Choice Hotels, because you can win a part to be in their next commercial! Busted Tees, where they're selling 12 shirts for $12 each. If you're interested in advertising on Chicagoist or any other... more ›

We would like to take a moment to thank this week's advertisers on Chicagoist. Dewars Repeal Day, because you shouldn't take the right to have a drink for granted. The Backroom, playing tonight at The Note. Homes for Working Families, because who hasn't been squeezed out of the housing market? Sony Card, because you'll get a free MP3 player if you apply. Choice Hotels, because you can win a part to be in their next... more ›

We would like to take a moment to thank this week's advertisers on Chicagoist. The Backroom, playing at The Note on 11/23. Homes for Working Families, because who hasn't been squeezed out of the housing market? Sony Card, because you'll get a free MP3 player if you apply. Choice Hotels, because you can win a part to be in their next commercial! Busted Tees, where you get free shipping with the purchase of three shirts.... more ›

We would like to take a moment to thank this week's advertisers on Chicagoist. AMEX Urban Adventures, because big cities are full of little adventures. The Backroom, playing at The Note on 11/23. Homes for Working Families, because who hasn't been squeezed out of the housing market? Choice Hotels, because you can win a part to be in their next commercial! Busted Tees, where they've thrown their weight behind Hillary in '08. That's Hillary Duff.... more ›

We would like to take a moment to thank this week's advertisers on Chicagoist. AMEX Urban Adventures, because big cities are full of little adventures. Choice Hotels, because you can win a part to be in their next commercial! Busted Tees, where you can get free shipping with the purchase of three shirts! If you're interested in advertising on Chicagoist or any other site in our network, check out our online mediakit.... more ›

We would like to take a moment to thank this week's advertisers on Chicagoist. AMEX Urban Adventures, because big cities are full of little adventures. Choice Hotels, because you can win a part to be in their next commercial! Busted Tees, where you can get free 2nd day shipping when ordering 4 shirts! If you're interested in advertising on Chicagoist or any other site in our network, check out our online mediakit.... more ›

One of Chicago's newest aldermen, Bob Fioretti (2nd) is taking heat from one of the city's older hotels. The 14-story Congress Plaza Hotel, designed and built to accommodate visitors to the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, has been embroiled in a strike with UNITE HERE Local 1 since June 2003. According to Crain's Chicago Business, the hotel, owned by Albert Nasser Shayo, a Syrian globe-trotting businessman with residences in New York, Argentina, and Switzerland, who... more ›

It's only July, one year out, and already it feels like there is a presidential race going on, doesn't it? Maybe it's too soon to declare Bush a lame duck, but we're inclined to think he is. In this most early of seasons, much has been made of fund raising, often at the expense of real discussions of the issues. Obama is setting records, regularly pulling in millions of dollars in small sums, Hillary is... more ›

We're not sure what to dedicate this week's round up to: Rudy Guiliani salivating as he was "asked" about a fictional terrorist attack in last night's debate, Tom Tancredo's vow to double the size of Guantanamo Bay if elected, or Tommy Thompson's large ears and no neck. Ah screw it, this one is dedicated to Rod Blagojevich's hair. Here we go: Mayor Daley Is a Funny Guy. No, really, he is. Go read Mick Dumke's... more ›

An infamous Lincolnwood "landmark" — the Purple Hotel — will most likely be meeting its demise fairly soon, in lieu of new residential and retail space. more ›

Cool Wedding Venues? more ›

If you thought Boss (J.) Daley's reign as mayor was long, you obviously never heard about Donald Stephens. The only mayor of Rosemont, ever, presided over the near-northwest suburb for 51 years before dying in his sleep yesterday evening after a year and a half long battle with cancer. more ›

The International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) is holding its annual Cookbook Expo this weekend in Chicago. And, for the first time, they're opening it up to the public. This is your chance to hobnob with some of your favorite cookbook authors and chefs, who will be on hand to sell and sign their latest books. The event runs from 5-6 p.m. tomorrow at the Hilton Chicago. Even though it's free, reservations are required; e-mail... more ›

Many a pilot and flight attendant will be looking for somewhere else to sleep on their layovers at Midway; an anonymous tip led to an investigation into forty "crash pads" located within a mile of the airport. more ›

Quick, name the top five chefs in Chicago. Now name the five most famous chefs in the country. While the cuisines may vary from Grant Achatz's "molecular gastronomy" to Mario Batali's classic Italian, the one thing that most — or all — of these chefs have in common is the pale, pale, color of their skin. As Maureen Jenkins writes in today's Sun-Times, "the shortage of chefs of African descent is noteworthy if only by... more ›

We previously wrote on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' (UCIS) updated test questions and increase in prices for the citizenship exam. One company, First Hospitality Groups, is taking steps to reduce some of the burden on those looking to become legal in the country. As the Sun-Times reports, the hotel chain, which has 12 hotels in the Chicago area, is offering a reimbursement of the $400 it costs for the naturalization process and gives workers a day off. more ›

Chicagoist has voting on the brain, which is only natural considering Tuesday's upcoming mayoral and aldermanic (or is that aldermaniac?) elections. Have you voted early? No? For shame. For those that haven't ... well, we'll see you in line. more ›

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