[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]  Ald. Raymond Lopez [@RaymondALopez](/creator/twitter/RaymondALopez) on x 39.4K followers Created: 2025-07-19 18:42:55 UTC The Taste was unsustainable at this magnitude in part because Daley wanted it to be free. Major restaurants paid minimum $250K to be there for ten days AND had to be be able to keep their local doors open too. Emanuel shrunk it in half & Lightfoot broke it apart further, albeit throwing days into the neighborhoods, starting in the 15th Ward’s West Englewood community. @TasteofChi should be a premier event. However @ChicagoDCASE needs to make changes if you want an upgraded festival. First: Charge admission! Everything doesn’t need to be free. @MilwaukeeFest charges and people still go to that event religiously. Second: Reduce the burden of participating by decreasing vendor costs & allow them to close shop in order to focus on the festivities. Also, keep some local restaurants on the extended Taste tour guide! Third: Make the downtown event spectacular with good music, fireworks & drone shows! XXXXXX engagements  **Related Topics** [$250k](/topic/$250k) [$aldpa](/topic/$aldpa) [Post Link](https://x.com/RaymondALopez/status/1946641921360679407)
[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]
Ald. Raymond Lopez @RaymondALopez on x 39.4K followers
Created: 2025-07-19 18:42:55 UTC
The Taste was unsustainable at this magnitude in part because Daley wanted it to be free. Major restaurants paid minimum $250K to be there for ten days AND had to be be able to keep their local doors open too.
Emanuel shrunk it in half & Lightfoot broke it apart further, albeit throwing days into the neighborhoods, starting in the 15th Ward’s West Englewood community.
@TasteofChi should be a premier event. However @ChicagoDCASE needs to make changes if you want an upgraded festival.
First: Charge admission! Everything doesn’t need to be free. @MilwaukeeFest charges and people still go to that event religiously.
Second: Reduce the burden of participating by decreasing vendor costs & allow them to close shop in order to focus on the festivities. Also, keep some local restaurants on the extended Taste tour guide!
Third: Make the downtown event spectacular with good music, fireworks & drone shows!
XXXXXX engagements
