Sam Toia

People fill Magos Tacos and Tamales during a mini Taste of Belmont Cragin restaurant crawl on Oct. 28, 2025. Several businesses on Diversey Avenue were highlighted during the event. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Elliot Richardson and Sam Toia: Chicago must take restaurants and small businesses off the budget’s menu

December 15, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

The current climate in Chicago has made it challenging to run a small business. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget plan makes it worse.

Customers buy sugary drinks, including bottled juice and soda products at Walgreens store on State Street in Chicago.

Can the Cook County beverage tax

May 11, 2019 at 4:05 a.m.

Cook County residents will wake up July 1 to find that overnight the price on hundreds of everyday beverages has gone up significantly. This is a result of the regressive...

All Stories