Jimmy John Liautaud likes hunting animals in a confined space. more ›

Rahm Emanuel is returning $50,000 in campaign donations after questions surfaced regarding whether those donations violated the maximum of $10,000 allowed by a company, according to new state law. Greg Hinz at Crain’s reports that, after he made inquiries into 10 donations of $5,000 each by people with connections to Champaign-based Jimmy John’s, the Emanuel campaign decided to hand the money back “out of an abundance of caution and to avoid even the suggestion of impropriety.” more ›

Most individuals, it seems, are being reactive about the state income tax hike. But corporations headquartered in Illinois have been conspicuously quiet. Leave it to Jimmy John Liautaud, founder of the sandwich chain that bears his name, to break the silence. Jimmy John told the News-Gazette that he's already filed for residency in Florida and may recommend that his company move its corporate headquarters out of Illinois, as well. Bitching about your taxes, like the smells Jimmy John's franchises advertise in bright red neon, is free. more ›

After the epic Subway salmonella outbreak of Summer 2010, we were kind of wary about getting our hands on some delicious foot long sandwiches smothered in Chipotle Mayo sauce. Sorry to ruin your pre-lunch hour, but right now the food contamination problem isn't with sandwiches from Subway -- but sandwiches from Jimmy John's. more ›

Before she created 30 Rock or even wrote and starred on Saturday Night Live, Tina Fey was a member of Chicago's Second City group, which means she definitely knows her deep dish from her thin crust. In a new 30 Rock web exclusive, Fey reads a letter from a future Columbia College Chicago student, and answers the question: "What are your favorite restaurants in Chicago?" Fey lists off the Athenian Room on Webster, the Golden Apple diner, and then stirs up a bit of a Chicago sandwich debate by remarking that she likes Jimmy John's better than Potbelly. Gasp! more ›

• United Airlines begins its move to corporate offices in Willis Tower [Sun-Times]
• The Citizens Utility Board says that Illinois cell phone users are overbilled an average of $359 a year. [Tribune]
• The Illinois Retail Merchants Association endorsed Bill Brady for Governor. Further evidence they may not know what they're doing: they endorse Rod Blagojevich four years ago. [Greg Hinz/Crain's]

Mackenzie Seller is suing Jimmy John's for what he's deemed as "negligence." The restaurant chain, purveyors of reasonably tasty sandwiches at self-proclaimed quick rates, did not serve Mr. Seller the Turkey Tom without mayo and cheese that he requested. Oh no, he was instead served a dreaded tuna sandwich with--mind you--mayo and cheese. more ›

Beer, Beer, and MORE BEER. Speaking of, if anyone knows where in Chicago we can get a bottle of some Feldschlosschen Dunkle Perle (pictured), we'll will trim your toenails (okay, maybe not - but dinner's in it for you). Let's see what's in the hopper, foodies! more ›

"Today, Chicago is Chewtopolis, the Mt. Sinai of Mastication!" And with that, we were thrown into the Jimmy John's Freaky Fast Sandwich Making and Eating Competition pitting three Jimmy John's sandwich makers against three world class competitive eaters from Major League Eating. We'd never had the opportunity to witness such a spectacle in person (though we've long been fans of the annual 4th of July hot dog contest) and weren't disappointed. Master of Ceremonies George Shea kept us entertained with nuggets like, "This is about to get as crazy as a monkey riding horseback on a poodle." (We admit...we half expected him to try to sell our town a bunch of musical instruments and then go woo the local librarian.) The large crowd gathered around the stage at Taste of Lincoln Park cheered in agreement and were ready for some sandwich slinging. more ›

Heaven knows we love our food and have been accused of eating at a clip that puts nearby fingers in jeopardy. But we're pretty sure we're going to be put to shame this Saturday when Jimmy John's offers up three of its fastest sandwich makers to see if they can make subs faster than the sandwiches can be eaten. Of course, they won't be eaten by just anyone. more ›