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==Location and views==
==Location and views==


Bordering [[Millennium Park]] along [[Chicago | Chicago's]] [[Michigan Avenue (Chicago)|Michigan Avenue]], the famous [[Chicago]] sculpture [[Cloud Gate]] on the [[AT&T Plaza]] is located on the roof of Park Grill.<ref name=gilfoyle>{{cite book | last= Gilfoyle | first= Timothy | title= Millennium Park: Creating a Chicago Landmark | url= http://books.google.com/books?id=0e1OAAAAMAAJ&q=millennium+%22park+grill%22&dq=millennium+%22park+grill%22&ei=ECmcS8fYOpTWNuWN1K0H&cd=2 | year= 2006 | publisher= University of Chicago Press | page= 328, 442}}</ref>
Bordering [[Millennium Park]] along [[Chicago | Chicago's]] [[Michigan Avenue (Chicago)|Michigan Avenue]], the famous [[Chicago]] sculpture [[Cloud Gate]] on the [[AT&T Plaza]] is located on the roof of Park Grill.<ref name=gilfoyle>{{cite book | last= Gilfoyle | first= Timothy | title= Millennium Park: Creating a Chicago Landmark | url= http://books.google.com/books?id=0e1OAAAAMAAJ&q=millennium+%22park+grill%22&dq=millennium+%22park+grill%22&ei=ECmcS8fYOpTWNuWN1K0H&cd=2 | year= 2006 | publisher= University of Chicago Press | page= 328, 442 | accessdate= 2010-04-09}}</ref>


In summer, the restaurant's outdoor seating outdoor seating area is the largest [[al fresco dining]] area in Chicago.<ref name = gilfoyle/><ref>{{Citation |title=Chicago Magazine Dining Guide: Park Grill |url=http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/Dining/Dining-Guide/index.php?price=%2430-%2439&neighborhood=Loop&listing=33926 |accessdate = 2010-03-15}}</ref><ref name=rotarian>{{cite journal |last1 = Pratt |first1 = M. Kathleen |title= City of Big |journal= The Rotarian |volume= 183 |issue= 8 |page= 32 |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=PTMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32&dq=largest+al+fresco+dining+chicago+%22park+grill%22&client=firefox-a&cd=1#v=onepage&q=alfresco&f=false|doi= 2005-02}}</ref> In winter, this outdoor seating becomes [[McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink]],<ref name=USATODAY>{{cite news |last=Sherman |first=Laura |title=Perfect places to dine solo |newspaper=USAToday.com |year=2007 |date=2007-08-29 |url=http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2007-08-24-solo-dining-forbes_N.htm |accessdate=2010-03-13}}</ref><ref name=Kleiman>{{cite news |last=Kleaman |first=Kelly |title=Show Time for the Windy City's New Class Act |newspaper=The Washington Post |pages = P02 |year=2004 |date=2004-07-11 |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39009-2004Jul9.html |accessdate=03/13/2010}}</ref><ref name=Baty>{{cite book |last1= Baty |first1=Chris |first2=Karla |last2=Zimmerman |first3=Karla |last3=Zimmerman |title=Chicago |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=pvn0uIQcbw8C&pg=PA131&dq=mccormick+and+outdoor+and+chicago+%22park+grill%22&ei=KxGcS4TdL4XQMprK3ZEH&cd=2#v=onepage&q=mccormick%20and%20outdoor%20and%20chicago%20%22park%20grill%22&f=false |edition=4 |year=2006 |publisher=[http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ Lonely Planet] |isbn=1740597966 |page=131}}</ref><ref name=Quigley>{{Citation |last=Quigley |first=Kelly |title=Millennium Park eatery to debut |newspaper=Crain's Chicago Business |year=2003 |date=November 21, 2003 |url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=10762 |accessdate=03/13/2010}}</ref> and diners in the 300-seat<ref name=Hall>{{cite news |last=Hall |first Christopher |title=TRAVEL ADVISORY; Chicago Adds Bold Touches to Its Lakefront |newspaper=New York Times |page=53 |date=2004=06=20 |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/20/travel/travel-advisory-chicago-adds-bold-touches-to-its-lakefront.html |accessdate=2010-03-13}}</ref> Park Grill overlook the skating rink through floor-to-ceiling windows.<ref name=Mink>{{cite news |last=Mink |first=Randy |title=Chicago's cozy season: Winter is celebrated in the Windy City |newspaper=[http://insidebayarea.comOakland Tribune] |year=2003 |date=2005-12-12 |url=http://www.insidebayarea.com/turn2/ci_3302524 |accessdate=03/13/2010}}</ref>
In summer, the restaurant's outdoor seating outdoor seating area is the largest [[al fresco dining]] area in Chicago.<ref name = gilfoyle/><ref>{{Citation |title=Chicago Magazine Dining Guide: Park Grill |url=http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/Dining/Dining-Guide/index.php?price=%2430-%2439&neighborhood=Loop&listing=33926 |accessdate = 2010-03-15}}</ref><ref name=rotarian>{{cite journal |last1 = Pratt |first1 = M. Kathleen |title= City of Big |journal= The Rotarian |volume= 183 |issue= 8 |page= 32 |url= http://books.google.com/books?id=PTMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32&dq=largest+al+fresco+dining+chicago+%22park+grill%22&client=firefox-a&cd=1#v=onepage&q=alfresco&f=false|doi= 2005-02}}</ref> In winter, this outdoor seating becomes [[McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink]],<ref name=USATODAY>{{cite news |last=Sherman |first=Laura |title=Perfect places to dine solo |newspaper=USAToday.com |year=2007 |date=2007-08-29 |url=http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2007-08-24-solo-dining-forbes_N.htm |accessdate=2010-03-13}}</ref><ref name=Kleiman>{{cite news |last=Kleaman |first=Kelly |title=Show Time for the Windy City's New Class Act |newspaper=The Washington Post |pages = P02 |year=2004 |date=2004-07-11 |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39009-2004Jul9.html |accessdate=03/13/2010}}</ref><ref name=Baty>{{cite book |last1= Baty |first1=Chris |first2=Karla |last2=Zimmerman |first3=Karla |last3=Zimmerman |title=Chicago |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=pvn0uIQcbw8C&pg=PA131&dq=mccormick+and+outdoor+and+chicago+%22park+grill%22&ei=KxGcS4TdL4XQMprK3ZEH&cd=2#v=onepage&q=mccormick%20and%20outdoor%20and%20chicago%20%22park%20grill%22&f=false |edition=4 |year=2006 |publisher=[http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ Lonely Planet] |isbn=1740597966 |page=131 |accessdate=2010-04-09}}</ref><ref name=Quigley>{{Citation |last=Quigley |first=Kelly |title=Millennium Park eatery to debut |newspaper=Crain's Chicago Business |year=2003 |date=November 21, 2003 |url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=10762 |accessdate=03/13/2010}}</ref> and diners in the 300-seat<ref name=Hall>{{cite news |last=Hall |first Christopher |title=TRAVEL ADVISORY; Chicago Adds Bold Touches to Its Lakefront |newspaper=New York Times |page=53 |date=2004=06=20 |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/20/travel/travel-advisory-chicago-adds-bold-touches-to-its-lakefront.html |accessdate=2010-03-13}}</ref> Park Grill overlook the skating rink through floor-to-ceiling windows.<ref name=Mink>{{cite news |last=Mink |first=Randy |title=Chicago's cozy season: Winter is celebrated in the Windy City |newspaper=[http://insidebayarea.comOakland/ Tribune] |year=2003 |date=2005-12-12 |url=http://www.insidebayarea.com/turn2/ci_3302524 |accessdate=03/13/2010}}</ref>


''The Unofficial Guide to Chicago'' points out the "spectacular view of the Chicago skyline, fronted by the ice rink at Millennium Park."<ref name=Hoekstra>{{cite book | last= Hoekstra | first = David | coauthors = Alice Von Housen and Laurie Levy |title= The Unofficial Guide to Chicago | url= http://books.google.com/books?id=NH9zGUC6n_0C&pg=PA253&dq=%22park+grill%22+view+chicago&lr=&cd=13#v=onepage&q=%22park%20grill%22%20view%20chicago&f=false |accessdate=2010-03-15 |edition=8 |year=2009 | publisher=Frommer's Group |isbn= 0470379995 |page= 253}}</ref> ''[[Fodor's]] Chicago 2010'' says "Location trumps service at Park Grill, where a seat on the patio in summer, in full view of Millennium Park, is among the best in the city. Sadly, the waitstaff lapses..."<ref name=butler>{{cite book | last=Butler | first=Stephanie | coauthors = Kelly Kealy and Alexis Kelly | title= Fodor's Chicago 2010 | URL = http://books.google.com/books?id=e1vL7GVGBRAC&pg=PA174&dq=%22park+grill%22+view+chicago&cd=7#v=onepage&q=%22park%20grill%22%20view%20chicago&f=false | Publisher = Random House, Inc. | Page = 174 | ISBN = 1400008603 | year = 2009}} Review also [http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/illinois/chicago/review-159357.html online]</ref> The [[National Geographic | National Geographic's]] website's ''[http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/chicago-walking-tour-1/ Chicago Walking Tour: Millennium and Grant Parks]'' recommends the Park Grill as it "allows you to admire the surrounding architecture passively."<ref>{{Citation | title = travel.nationalgeographic.com's Chicago Walking Tour: Millennium and Grant Parks | url = http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/chicago-walking-tour-1/ | accessdate = 03/16/2010}}</ref> The restaurant was noted as one of the "99 Best of Chicago," named as one of three under the category of "Best Restaurants with a View" in ''Night+Day Chicago''.<ref name=Wollenburg>{{cite book | last = Wollenberg | first = Wendy | title = Night+Day Chicago| url = http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=0VFQ_iBW47MC&oi=fnd&pg=PT10&dq=chicago+%22park+grill%22&ots=u8XvoU6A5m&sig=DbkelV59DalMfdGhwa6wJducKG0#v=onepage&q=%20%22park%20grill%22&f=false | accessdate= 03/15/2010 | edition= 14 | year= 2007 | publisher= ASDavis Media Group | isbn= 0976601362 | page= 39}}</ref> [[Zagat]] lists Park Grill as one of the "choice outdoor spots in town."<ref>{{cite | website = zagat.com | url = http://www.zagat.com/Blog/Detail.aspx?SNP=NC&SCID=35&BLGID=20276 | title = Zagat Buzz: Chicago Edition. "Do It Outdoors." | date = 4/24/2009 | accessdate = 3/16/2010}}</ref> ''[http://www.newcitychicago.com New City Chicago]'' magazine named it one of the top 100 essential restaurants in the city, urging, "Ignore the scandal over sweetheart deals with the city for a moment and consider this: Park Grill sits in the hottest spot in the city today, if not in America."<ref>{{ cite | magazine = New City Chicago | url = http://www.newcitychicago.com/chicago/4171.html | title = Resto 100: Chicago's Essential Restaurants | author = editorial staff | date 03/01/2005 | accessdate = 3/16/2010}}</ref>
''The Unofficial Guide to Chicago'' points out the "spectacular view of the Chicago skyline, fronted by the ice rink at Millennium Park."<ref name=Hoekstra>{{cite book | last= Hoekstra | first = David | coauthors = Alice Von Housen and Laurie Levy |title= The Unofficial Guide to Chicago | url= http://books.google.com/books?id=NH9zGUC6n_0C&pg=PA253&dq=%22park+grill%22+view+chicago&lr=&cd=13#v=onepage&q=%22park%20grill%22%20view%20chicago&f=false |accessdate=2010-03-15 |edition=8 |year=2009 | publisher=Frommer's Group |isbn= 0470379995 |page= 253}}</ref> ''[[Fodor's]] Chicago 2010'' says "Location trumps service at Park Grill, where a seat on the patio in summer, in full view of Millennium Park, is among the best in the city. Sadly, the waitstaff lapses..."<ref name=butler>{{cite book | last=Butler | first=Stephanie | coauthors = Kelly Kealy and Alexis Kelly | title= Fodor's Chicago 2010 | URL = http://books.google.com/books?id=e1vL7GVGBRAC&pg=PA174&dq=%22park+grill%22+view+chicago&cd=7#v=onepage&q=%22park%20grill%22%20view%20chicago&f=false | Publisher = Random House, Inc. | Page = 174 | ISBN = 1400008603 | year = 2009}} Review also [http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/illinois/chicago/review-159357.html online]</ref> The [[National Geographic | National Geographic's]] website's ''[http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/chicago-walking-tour-1/ Chicago Walking Tour: Millennium and Grant Parks]'' recommends the Park Grill as it "allows you to admire the surrounding architecture passively."<ref>{{Citation | title = travel.nationalgeographic.com's Chicago Walking Tour: Millennium and Grant Parks | url = http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/chicago-walking-tour-1/ | accessdate = 03/16/2010}}</ref> The restaurant was noted as one of the "99 Best of Chicago," named as one of three under the category of "Best Restaurants with a View" in ''Night+Day Chicago''.<ref name=Wollenburg>{{cite book | last = Wollenberg | first = Wendy | title = Night+Day Chicago| url = http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=0VFQ_iBW47MC&oi=fnd&pg=PT10&dq=chicago+%22park+grill%22&ots=u8XvoU6A5m&sig=DbkelV59DalMfdGhwa6wJducKG0#v=onepage&q=%20%22park%20grill%22&f=false | accessdate= 03/15/2010 | edition= 14 | year= 2007 | publisher= ASDavis Media Group | isbn= 0976601362 | page= 39}}</ref> [[Zagat]] lists Park Grill as one of the "choice outdoor spots in town."<ref>{{cite | website = zagat.com | url = http://www.zagat.com/Blog/Detail.aspx?SNP=NC&SCID=35&BLGID=20276 | title = Zagat Buzz: Chicago Edition. "Do It Outdoors." | date = 4/24/2009 | accessdate = 3/16/2010}}{{dead link|date=April 2010}}</ref> ''[http://www.newcitychicago.com/ New City Chicago]'' magazine named it one of the top 100 essential restaurants in the city, urging, "Ignore the scandal over sweetheart deals with the city for a moment and consider this: Park Grill sits in the hottest spot in the city today, if not in America."<ref>{{ cite | magazine = New City Chicago | url = http://www.newcitychicago.com/chicago/4171.html | title = Resto 100: Chicago's Essential Restaurants | author = editorial staff | date 03/01/2005 | accessdate = 3/16/2010}}</ref>


===Film location===
===Film location===
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===Background of managing partners===
===Background of managing partners===


Matthew A. O'Malley and James Horan are the managing partners.<ref name=unveiled>{{cite news |title=Millennium Park restaurant plan unveiled |work=[http://wwww.suntimes.com Chicago Sun-Times] |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EFD7144CA2B47C7&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |date=2001-11-13 |accessdate=2010-03-27 |first=Nancy |last=Moffett}}</ref><ref name=cloutheavycafe/>
Matthew A. O'Malley and James Horan are the managing partners.<ref name=unveiled>{{cite news |title=Millennium Park restaurant plan unveiled |work=[http://wwww.suntimes.com/ Chicago Sun-Times] |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EFD7144CA2B47C7&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |date=2001-11-13 |accessdate=2010-03-27 |first=Nancy |last=Moffett}}</ref><ref name=cloutheavycafe/>


O'Malley once worked for the powerful U.S. Rep. [[Dan Rostenkowski]] (D-Ill.). O'Malley runs the [http://www.chicagofirehouse.com/ Chicago Firehouse Restaurant], around the corner from the home of Mayor [[Richard M. Daley]], who has been a steady customer. The restaurant is in an old, re-purposed firehouse bought from the city. O'Malley also has been a business partner with the son of power broker and former Alderman [[Edward Vrdolyak]].<ref name=cloutheavycafe/> O'Malley and his brother Paul were picked to run the Clock Tower Cafe at the [http://www.cpdgolf.com/courses/sydney-r-marovitz/ Sydney Marovitz Golf Course] in [[Lincoln Park]] on the Chicago lakefront.<ref name=baby/><ref>{{cite news |title=O'Malley brothers turn youthful partying into empire |work=[http://wwww.suntimes.com Chicago Sun-Times] |date=2004-04-25 |first=Mike |last=Houlihan |accessdate=2010-03-28 |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=10271E32E7A5585D&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29}}</ref>
O'Malley once worked for the powerful U.S. Rep. [[Dan Rostenkowski]] (D-Ill.). O'Malley runs the [http://www.chicagofirehouse.com/ Chicago Firehouse Restaurant], around the corner from the home of Mayor [[Richard M. Daley]], who has been a steady customer. The restaurant is in an old, re-purposed firehouse bought from the city. O'Malley also has been a business partner with the son of power broker and former Alderman [[Edward Vrdolyak]].<ref name=cloutheavycafe/> O'Malley and his brother Paul were picked to run the Clock Tower Cafe at the [http://www.cpdgolf.com/courses/sydney-r-marovitz/ Sydney Marovitz Golf Course] in [[Lincoln Park]] on the Chicago lakefront.<ref name=baby/><ref>{{cite news |title=O'Malley brothers turn youthful partying into empire |work=[http://wwww.suntimes.com/ Chicago Sun-Times] |date=2004-04-25 |first=Mike |last=Houlihan |accessdate=2010-03-28 |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=10271E32E7A5585D&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29}}</ref>


James Horan is a restaurant owner and caterer who is president<ref name=unveiled/> of [http://www.blueplatechicago.com/ Blue Plate Catering]. Blue Plate runs a cafe at [http://egov.cityofchicago.org/gallery37center/ Gallery 37], an after-school program created and fostered by Mayor Daley's wife, Maggie Daley.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/>
James Horan is a restaurant owner and caterer who is president<ref name=unveiled/> of [http://www.blueplatechicago.com/ Blue Plate Catering]. Blue Plate runs a cafe at [http://egov.cityofchicago.org/gallery37center/ Gallery 37], an after-school program created and fostered by Mayor Daley's wife, Maggie Daley.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/>


===Background of investors===
===Background of investors===
O'Malley lined up more than 80 [[investors]]<ref name=cloutheavycafe/><ref>{{cite news |first=Kenneth L R. |last=Patchen |title=Licata defends restaurant deal |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:HPNB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=110D9E99AD71CDE8&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.pioneerlocal.com/highlandpark Highland Park News] |date=2005-02-24 |accessdate=2010-03-28}}</ref> for the Park Grill including some of Mayor [[Richard M. Daley]]'s friends and neighbors.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/><ref name=oversight>{{cite news |title= Millennium Park oversight plan advances |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1190654F829E97E0&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.suntimes.com Chicago Sun-Times] |date=2007-05-09 |accessdate=2010-03-28 |first=Fran |last=Spielman}}</ref> Investors put up $200,000 for one [[share (finance)|share]] of the restaurant.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/> Among the investors are Daley's friend Fred Barbara,<ref name=cloutheavycafe/><ref name=parkperks/><ref name=pact/> a nephew of the late Chicago [[Alderman]] [[Fred Roti]].<ref name=cloutheavycafe/> Barbara has ties to the [[Hired Truck Program]] scandal and the [[blue bag]] recycling controversy.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/> Other investors include relatives of Daley's political adviser Timothy Degnan.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/><ref name=parkperks/> Other investors include two neighbors of the mayor, Ray Chinn,<ref name=cloutheavycafe/><ref name=pact/> a clout-heavy [[O'Hare Airport]] contractor, and Rick Simon, a controversial figure who runs a [[janitor]]ial business and sits on the board of the [[Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau]].<ref name=cloutheavycafe/> Also among the investors is former congressman [[Morgan F. Murphy]], who has had business dealings with convicted labor boss [[International Union of Allied Novelty and Production Workers|John Serpico]].<ref name=cloutheavycafe/>
O'Malley lined up more than 80 [[investors]]<ref name=cloutheavycafe/><ref>{{cite news |first=Kenneth L R. |last=Patchen |title=Licata defends restaurant deal |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:HPNB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=110D9E99AD71CDE8&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.pioneerlocal.com/highlandpark Highland Park News] |date=2005-02-24 |accessdate=2010-03-28}}</ref> for the Park Grill including some of Mayor [[Richard M. Daley]]'s friends and neighbors.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/><ref name=oversight>{{cite news |title= Millennium Park oversight plan advances |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1190654F829E97E0&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.suntimes.com/ Chicago Sun-Times] |date=2007-05-09 |accessdate=2010-03-28 |first=Fran |last=Spielman}}</ref> Investors put up $200,000 for one [[share (finance)|share]] of the restaurant.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/> Among the investors are Daley's friend Fred Barbara,<ref name=cloutheavycafe/><ref name=parkperks/><ref name=pact/> a nephew of the late Chicago [[Alderman]] [[Fred Roti]].<ref name=cloutheavycafe/> Barbara has ties to the [[Hired Truck Program]] scandal and the [[blue bag]] recycling controversy.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/> Other investors include relatives of Daley's political adviser Timothy Degnan.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/><ref name=parkperks/> Other investors include two neighbors of the mayor, Ray Chinn,<ref name=cloutheavycafe/><ref name=pact/> a clout-heavy [[O'Hare Airport]] contractor, and Rick Simon, a controversial figure who runs a [[janitor]]ial business and sits on the board of the [[Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau]].<ref name=cloutheavycafe/> Also among the investors is former congressman [[Morgan F. Murphy]], who has had business dealings with convicted labor boss [[International Union of Allied Novelty and Production Workers|John Serpico]].<ref name=cloutheavycafe/>


Among the vendors for Park Grill was an architectural metal company owned by the son of then Chicago Alderman [[Burton Natarus]] (42nd).<ref name=cloutheavycafe/>
Among the vendors for Park Grill was an architectural metal company owned by the son of then Chicago Alderman [[Burton Natarus]] (42nd).<ref name=cloutheavycafe/>
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O'Malley's and two other groups submitted proposals to run the restaurant in September 2001. By the end of the year, O'Malley's team had been selected to run the restaurant, [[souvenir]] and [[concession (contract)|concession]] stands, and a cafe in the new Millennium Park.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/> The Park Grill group's proposal was twice as long as the other two but, technically, promised the Park District the lowest [[revenues]].<ref name=percentage>{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Joravsky |title=A Percentage of Nothing; The Park Grill's deal with the city isn't just sweet--it's ridiculous |url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/a-percentage-of-nothing/Content?oid=918056 |work=[http://www.chicagoreader.com/ Chicago Reader] |date=2005-02-17 |accessdate=2010-03-16}}</ref>
O'Malley's and two other groups submitted proposals to run the restaurant in September 2001. By the end of the year, O'Malley's team had been selected to run the restaurant, [[souvenir]] and [[concession (contract)|concession]] stands, and a cafe in the new Millennium Park.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/> The Park Grill group's proposal was twice as long as the other two but, technically, promised the Park District the lowest [[revenues]].<ref name=percentage>{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Joravsky |title=A Percentage of Nothing; The Park Grill's deal with the city isn't just sweet--it's ridiculous |url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/a-percentage-of-nothing/Content?oid=918056 |work=[http://www.chicagoreader.com/ Chicago Reader] |date=2005-02-17 |accessdate=2010-03-16}}</ref>


The Park Grill contract was signed Feb. 11, 2003.<ref name=cloutheavycafe>{{cite news |first1=Tim |last1=Novak |first2=Steve |last2=Warmbir |first3=Robert |last3=Herguth |first4=Mark |last4=Brown |url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_topdoc=1&p_docnum=1&p_sort=YMD_date:D&p_product=NewsBank&p_text_direct-0=document_id=%28%201085650A0F5B75D8%20%29&p_docid=1085650A0F5B75D8&p_theme=aggdocs&p_queryname=1085650A0F5B75D8&f_openurl=yes&p_nbid=P6AW5BPXMTI2ODk0MDM5OS40NTE2NjM6MToxNDoyMTYuMTQ3LjIxNS4zMw&&p_multi=CSTB|title=City puts heat on clout-heavy cafe; Changes ordered at Park Grill, with Daley cronies among backers |work=[http://www.suntimes.com Chicago Sun Times] |date=February 11, 2005 |accessdate=March 17, 2010}}</ref><ref name=reviews>{{cite news |first=Fran |last=Spielman |title=Park District reviews restaurant's lease; Daley, parks chief deny clout played part in deal |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1085B988044D8579&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.suntimes.com Chicago Sun-Times] |date=2005-02-12 |accessdate=2010-03-16}}</ref><ref name=baby>{{cite news |first1=Steve |last1=Warmbir |first2=Tim |last2=Novak |title=Park official's baby spurs ethics probe; Fathered by partner in restaurant in which she played a role |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1091437CF58A6645&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.suntimes.com Chicago Sun-Times] |date=2005-03-24 |accessdate=2010-03-16}}</ref> The contract requires that Park Grill pay a percent of net [[sales]] and an additional fee of $275,000 per year, but the latter was not due until the Park Grill recouped half its build-out costs.<ref name=percentage/> As part of its deal, the Park District pays for water, gas, and [[Waste|garbage]] collection at Park Grill.<ref name=poor/> The garbage pickup costs taxpayers about $245,000 annually.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/>
The Park Grill contract was signed Feb. 11, 2003.<ref name=cloutheavycafe>{{cite news |first1=Tim |last1=Novak |first2=Steve |last2=Warmbir |first3=Robert |last3=Herguth |first4=Mark |last4=Brown |url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_topdoc=1&p_docnum=1&p_sort=YMD_date:D&p_product=NewsBank&p_text_direct-0=document_id=%28%201085650A0F5B75D8%20%29&p_docid=1085650A0F5B75D8&p_theme=aggdocs&p_queryname=1085650A0F5B75D8&f_openurl=yes&p_nbid=P6AW5BPXMTI2ODk0MDM5OS40NTE2NjM6MToxNDoyMTYuMTQ3LjIxNS4zMw&&p_multi=CSTB|title=City puts heat on clout-heavy cafe; Changes ordered at Park Grill, with Daley cronies among backers |work=[http://www.suntimes.com/ Chicago Sun Times] |date=February 11, 2005 |accessdate=March 17, 2010}}</ref><ref name=reviews>{{cite news |first=Fran |last=Spielman |title=Park District reviews restaurant's lease; Daley, parks chief deny clout played part in deal |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1085B988044D8579&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.suntimes.com/ Chicago Sun-Times] |date=2005-02-12 |accessdate=2010-03-16}}</ref><ref name=baby>{{cite news |first1=Steve |last1=Warmbir |first2=Tim |last2=Novak |title=Park official's baby spurs ethics probe; Fathered by partner in restaurant in which she played a role |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1091437CF58A6645&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.suntimes.com/ Chicago Sun-Times] |date=2005-03-24 |accessdate=2010-03-16}}</ref> The contract requires that Park Grill pay a percent of net [[sales]] and an additional fee of $275,000 per year, but the latter was not due until the Park Grill recouped half its build-out costs.<ref name=percentage/> As part of its deal, the Park District pays for water, gas, and [[Waste|garbage]] collection at Park Grill.<ref name=poor/> The garbage pickup costs taxpayers about $245,000 annually.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/>


===Park District project manager's relationship with contractor===
===Park District project manager's relationship with contractor===


The Park District team, including an outside [[consultant]], spent 18 months negotiating a [[contract]] with O'Malley's group.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/> During that time, Laura Foxgrover, a top official in the Park District department directly overseeing the deal, gave birth to O'Malley 's child.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/><ref name=baby/><ref name=pact/><ref name=percentage/><ref name=reviews/><ref name=emails/><ref name=lease/><ref name=rough/><ref name=poor/><ref name=stillno/><ref>{{cite news |first=Fran |last=Spielman |title=City cleans house at Water Dept.; Water Management commissioner, 9 workers fired |date=2005-06-04 |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=10AC46CD1163ED50&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.suntimes.com Chicago Sun Times] |accessdate=2010-03-28}}</ref><ref name=shed/><ref name=flip/> Prior to working for the Park District, Foxgrover had been an employee of O'Malley as director of operations<ref name=pact/> at the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant.<ref name=baby/> Foxgrover held the title "senior [[project manager]]" at the Park District at an annual [[salary]] of $94,000.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/> In May 2002 Foxgrover wrote a memo [[recusal|recusing]] herself from negotiations, without saying why, and never told her superiors she was carrying O'Malley's child.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/><ref name=reviews/> The girl was born in September, 2002.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/>
The Park District team, including an outside [[consultant]], spent 18 months negotiating a [[contract]] with O'Malley's group.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/> During that time, Laura Foxgrover, a top official in the Park District department directly overseeing the deal, gave birth to O'Malley 's child.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/><ref name=baby/><ref name=pact/><ref name=percentage/><ref name=reviews/><ref name=emails/><ref name=lease/><ref name=rough/><ref name=poor/><ref name=stillno/><ref>{{cite news |first=Fran |last=Spielman |title=City cleans house at Water Dept.; Water Management commissioner, 9 workers fired |date=2005-06-04 |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=10AC46CD1163ED50&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.suntimes.com/ Chicago Sun Times] |accessdate=2010-03-28}}</ref><ref name=shed/><ref name=flip/> Prior to working for the Park District, Foxgrover had been an employee of O'Malley as director of operations<ref name=pact/> at the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant.<ref name=baby/> Foxgrover held the title "senior [[project manager]]" at the Park District at an annual [[salary]] of $94,000.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/> In May 2002 Foxgrover wrote a memo [[recusal|recusing]] herself from negotiations, without saying why, and never told her superiors she was carrying O'Malley's child.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/><ref name=reviews/> The girl was born in September, 2002.<ref name=cloutheavycafe/>


Foxgrover remained involved in the Millennium Park restaurant after she recused herself from contract negotiations in May, 2002.<ref name=baby/><ref name=emails/><ref name=clouds/> In October 2003 Foxgrover spoke in favor of the restaurant getting a [[liquor license]] before a [[Chicago City Council]] [[committee]] while O'Malley owed Foxgrover at least $5,000.<ref name=baby/><ref name=emails/><ref name=clouds/><ref name=pact>{{cite news |first1=Liam |last1=Ford |first2=Gary |last2=Washburn |title=Park restaurant pact revisited - Millennium cafe has investor list loaded with clout |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1083E1E05F9D84BE&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |date=2005-02-12 |work=[http://www.chicagotribune.com/ Chicago Tribune] |accessdate=2010-03-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Millennium Park set to add wining, dining |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0FE7E8EC128A7822&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.chicagotribune.com/ Chicago Tribune] |date=2003-10-29 |accessdate=2010-03-28 |first=Gary |last=Washburn}}</ref> On the same day, Foxgrover worked to get O'Malley's Clock Tower Cafe a [[liquor license]].<ref name=baby/> In one July 2003 [[e-mail]], Foxgrover, then the acting director of park services, said that if O'Malley's [[Independent contractor|contractor]] had any questions for the Park District, she will be the point person.<ref name=emails/> In August 2003, Horan sent out an e-mail mentioning a discussion Horan had with Foxgrover, in which Horan asked Foxgrover if the Park District would waive a form of [[insurance]] on the restaurant's [[construction]].<ref name=emails/> A provision in the Park Grill contract allows the restaurant to arrange a series of summer [[concerts]] on the Millennium Park ice-skating rink, drawing crowds that bolster food and drink sales. In summer 2004, O'Malley and his partners asked [[Clear Channel]]-owned [[WNUA]] Radio to conduct the concerts. In February 2005, Foxgrover led a five-member Park District committee that chose Clear Channel over [[JAM Productions]] to operate the new concert [[Music venue|venue]] at [[Northerly Island]] on the former site of [[Meigs Field]].<ref name=percentage/><ref>{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Joravsky |title=Giving Away the Farm; Here's an Idea: How About an Airport?; Who Was on That Committee Anyway? The Park District's latest bad deal--building a concert venue on Northerly Island and then letting Clear Channel charge admission--won't even cover what it cost to rip up Meig field |url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/giving-away-the-farm-heres-an-idea-how-about-an-airport-who-was-on-that-committee-anyway/Content?oid=918173 |work=[http://www.chicagoreader.com/ Chicago Reader] |date=2005-03-03 |accessdate=2010-03-16}}</ref><ref name=clouds>{{cite news |title=Ethical clouds gather for park official; Role in selection of concert venue operator under investigation |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=109A7ADB21512669&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.suntimes.com Chicago Sun-Times] |date=2005-04-19 |accessdate=2010-03-16 |first1=Fran |last1=Spielman |first2=ANDREW |last2=HERRMANN}}</ref>
Foxgrover remained involved in the Millennium Park restaurant after she recused herself from contract negotiations in May, 2002.<ref name=baby/><ref name=emails/><ref name=clouds/> In October 2003 Foxgrover spoke in favor of the restaurant getting a [[liquor license]] before a [[Chicago City Council]] [[committee]] while O'Malley owed Foxgrover at least $5,000.<ref name=baby/><ref name=emails/><ref name=clouds/><ref name=pact>{{cite news |first1=Liam |last1=Ford |first2=Gary |last2=Washburn |title=Park restaurant pact revisited - Millennium cafe has investor list loaded with clout |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1083E1E05F9D84BE&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |date=2005-02-12 |work=[http://www.chicagotribune.com/ Chicago Tribune] |accessdate=2010-03-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Millennium Park set to add wining, dining |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0FE7E8EC128A7822&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.chicagotribune.com/ Chicago Tribune] |date=2003-10-29 |accessdate=2010-03-28 |first=Gary |last=Washburn}}</ref> On the same day, Foxgrover worked to get O'Malley's Clock Tower Cafe a [[liquor license]].<ref name=baby/> In one July 2003 [[e-mail]], Foxgrover, then the acting director of park services, said that if O'Malley's [[Independent contractor|contractor]] had any questions for the Park District, she will be the point person.<ref name=emails/> In August 2003, Horan sent out an e-mail mentioning a discussion Horan had with Foxgrover, in which Horan asked Foxgrover if the Park District would waive a form of [[insurance]] on the restaurant's [[construction]].<ref name=emails/> A provision in the Park Grill contract allows the restaurant to arrange a series of summer [[concerts]] on the Millennium Park ice-skating rink, drawing crowds that bolster food and drink sales. In summer 2004, O'Malley and his partners asked [[Clear Channel]]-owned [[WNUA]] Radio to conduct the concerts. In February 2005, Foxgrover led a five-member Park District committee that chose Clear Channel over [[JAM Productions]] to operate the new concert [[Music venue|venue]] at [[Northerly Island]] on the former site of [[Meigs Field]].<ref name=percentage/><ref>{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Joravsky |title=Giving Away the Farm; Here's an Idea: How About an Airport?; Who Was on That Committee Anyway? The Park District's latest bad deal--building a concert venue on Northerly Island and then letting Clear Channel charge admission--won't even cover what it cost to rip up Meig field |url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/giving-away-the-farm-heres-an-idea-how-about-an-airport-who-was-on-that-committee-anyway/Content?oid=918173 |work=[http://www.chicagoreader.com/ Chicago Reader] |date=2005-03-03 |accessdate=2010-03-16}}</ref><ref name=clouds>{{cite news |title=Ethical clouds gather for park official; Role in selection of concert venue operator under investigation |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=109A7ADB21512669&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.suntimes.com/ Chicago Sun-Times] |date=2005-04-19 |accessdate=2010-03-16 |first1=Fran |last1=Spielman |first2=ANDREW |last2=HERRMANN}}</ref>


Foxgrover was the subject of an [[ethics]] investigation.<ref name=baby/> An ethics officer for the [http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalContentItemAction.do?blockName=Promo+Item&channelId=-536879037&programId=536881121&topChannelName=Government&contentOID=536893454&Failed_Reason=Invalid+timestamp,+engine+has+been+restarted&contenTypeName=COC_EDITORIAL&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes Chicago Board of Ethics] concluded that Foxgrover did not violate the district's ethics ordinance and should be allowed to keep her $90,000-a-year job as the Park District's director of development.<ref>{{cite news |first=Fran |last=Spielman |title=Judge: Official didn't violate ethics in Millennium Park deal |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11094EC731555948&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.suntimes.com Chicago Sun-Times] |date=2006-03-25 |accessdate=2010-03-16}}</ref> By 2008 Foxgrover had left the Park District to work for O'Malley's restaurant management company.<ref name=flip>{{cite news |title=The $413,000 flip - Outsider turned a big, quick profit on Chicago Defender real estate deal |work=[http://www.suntimes.com Chicago Sun-Times] |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=120F9CA0F7C5B5C0&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |date=2008-05-29 |accessdate=2010-03-28 |first=Tim |last=Novak}}</ref>
Foxgrover was the subject of an [[ethics]] investigation.<ref name=baby/> An ethics officer for the [http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalContentItemAction.do?blockName=Promo+Item&channelId=-536879037&programId=536881121&topChannelName=Government&contentOID=536893454&Failed_Reason=Invalid+timestamp,+engine+has+been+restarted&contenTypeName=COC_EDITORIAL&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes Chicago Board of Ethics] concluded that Foxgrover did not violate the district's ethics ordinance and should be allowed to keep her $90,000-a-year job as the Park District's director of development.<ref>{{cite news |first=Fran |last=Spielman |title=Judge: Official didn't violate ethics in Millennium Park deal |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11094EC731555948&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.suntimes.com/ Chicago Sun-Times] |date=2006-03-25 |accessdate=2010-03-16}}</ref> By 2008 Foxgrover had left the Park District to work for O'Malley's restaurant management company.<ref name=flip>{{cite news |title=The $413,000 flip - Outsider turned a big, quick profit on Chicago Defender real estate deal |work=[http://www.suntimes.com/ Chicago Sun-Times] |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=120F9CA0F7C5B5C0&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |date=2008-05-29 |accessdate=2010-03-28 |first=Tim |last=Novak}}</ref>


===Exemption from property tax===
===Exemption from property tax===


On March 16, 2005 Cook County [[Assessor (property)|Assessor]] James Houlihan's office sent Horan and O’Malley a letter notifying Park Grill that it was being assessed at $502,550 and that it would be sent a bill in the fall for 2004 [[property taxes]].<ref name=poor/><ref name = courtcase/> On August 5 Horan and O’Malley filed a lawsuit against the assessor, asking that a judge prohibit the county from imposing property taxes.<ref name=poor>{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Joravsky |title=The Poor, Poor Park Grill; Even if they end up paying property taxes, they still have a ridiculously good deal |url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/pdf/050902/050902_works.pdf |work=[http://www.chicagoreader.com/ Chicago Reader] |date=2005-09-02 |accessdate=2010-03-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Millennium Park grill sues to avoid paying property taxes |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=10BD2435C59F3198&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.chicagotribune.com Chicago Tribune] |date=2005-08-06 |accessdate=2010-03-28 |first=Noreen S. |last=Ahmed-Ullah}}</ref> The owners asserted that their contract to run Park Grill was a property tax exempt [[concession (contract) | concessionaire agreement]] and not a taxable [[lease]].<ref name=poor/><ref name = courtcase/><ref name=metcalf>{{cite | last = Metcalf | first = Scott | title = Front and Center Legal Updates and Analysis: Millennium Park Restaurant at Center of Appellate Court Opinion Clarifying When Property is Taxable | url = http://www.franczek.com/frontcenter-449.html | date = 7/15/2009 | accessdate = 3/17/2010}}</ref><ref name=Gallun>{{Citation | last = Gallun| first = Alby| title = Park Grill sues to block taxes | newspaper = Crain's Chicago Business |year=2005 |date = November 05, 2005 | url = http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=17371 | accessdate = 03/15/2010}}</ref> The state’s attorney’s office, which defended the assessor in the case, said "our position is that the Park Grill is a leaseholder and as a leaseholder they are subject to taxes.”<ref name=poor/> In 2009 an [[appellate court]] affirmed the circuit court's finding that the agreement to run Park Grill was not a [[lease]] but a [[license]].<ref name=metcalf/><ref name=stillno>{{Cite news| last = Joravsky | first = Ben|url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/still-no-property-tax-bill-for-the-park-grill/Content?oid=1153186|title=Still No Property Tax Bill for the Park Grill: The restaurant under the Bean wins another round in its fight to avoid paying up like everybody else.|work=[[Chicago Reader]]|accessdate=Mar 15, 2010|date=July 16, 2009}}</ref><ref name=courtcase>{{Cite |url=http://www.state.il.us/court/opinions/AppellateCourt/2009/1stDistrict/June/1073141.pdf|work=Millennium Park Joint Venture v. Houlihan |accessdate=2010-03-15 |date=2009-02-29}}</ref><ref name=cloutcafe>{{Cite news| last=Rhodes |first=Steve |url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/Clout-Cafe-Wins-Again.html|title=Clout Cafe Wins Again |work=[http://nbcchicago.com NBC Chicago] |accessdate=2010-03-15 |date=2009-07-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Schroedter |title=Park Grill not required to pay property taxes: ruling |work=[http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com Crain's Chicago Business] |url=http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=34582 |date =2009-06-29 |accessdate=2010-03-17}}</ref>
On March 16, 2005 Cook County [[Assessor (property)|Assessor]] James Houlihan's office sent Horan and O’Malley a letter notifying Park Grill that it was being assessed at $502,550 and that it would be sent a bill in the fall for 2004 [[property taxes]].<ref name=poor/><ref name = courtcase/> On August 5 Horan and O’Malley filed a lawsuit against the assessor, asking that a judge prohibit the county from imposing property taxes.<ref name=poor>{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Joravsky |title=The Poor, Poor Park Grill; Even if they end up paying property taxes, they still have a ridiculously good deal |url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/pdf/050902/050902_works.pdf |work=[http://www.chicagoreader.com/ Chicago Reader] |date=2005-09-02 |accessdate=2010-03-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Millennium Park grill sues to avoid paying property taxes |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=10BD2435C59F3198&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.chicagotribune.com/ Chicago Tribune] |date=2005-08-06 |accessdate=2010-03-28 |first=Noreen S. |last=Ahmed-Ullah}}</ref> The owners asserted that their contract to run Park Grill was a property tax exempt [[concession (contract) | concessionaire agreement]] and not a taxable [[lease]].<ref name=poor/><ref name = courtcase/><ref name=metcalf>{{cite | last = Metcalf | first = Scott | title = Front and Center Legal Updates and Analysis: Millennium Park Restaurant at Center of Appellate Court Opinion Clarifying When Property is Taxable | url = http://www.franczek.com/frontcenter-449.html | date = 7/15/2009 | accessdate = 3/17/2010}}</ref><ref name=Gallun>{{Citation | last = Gallun| first = Alby| title = Park Grill sues to block taxes | newspaper = Crain's Chicago Business |year=2005 |date = November 05, 2005 | url = http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=17371 | accessdate = 03/15/2010}}</ref> The state’s attorney’s office, which defended the assessor in the case, said "our position is that the Park Grill is a leaseholder and as a leaseholder they are subject to taxes.”<ref name=poor/> In 2009 an [[appellate court]] affirmed the circuit court's finding that the agreement to run Park Grill was not a [[lease]] but a [[license]].<ref name=metcalf/><ref name=stillno>{{Cite news| last = Joravsky | first = Ben|url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/still-no-property-tax-bill-for-the-park-grill/Content?oid=1153186|title=Still No Property Tax Bill for the Park Grill: The restaurant under the Bean wins another round in its fight to avoid paying up like everybody else.|work=[[Chicago Reader]]|accessdate=Mar 15, 2010|date=July 16, 2009}}</ref><ref name=courtcase>{{Cite |url=http://www.state.il.us/court/opinions/AppellateCourt/2009/1stDistrict/June/1073141.pdf|work=Millennium Park Joint Venture v. Houlihan |accessdate=2010-03-15 |date=2009-02-29}}</ref><ref name=cloutcafe>{{Cite news| last=Rhodes |first=Steve |url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/Clout-Cafe-Wins-Again.html|title=Clout Cafe Wins Again |work=[http://nbcchicago.com/ NBC Chicago] |accessdate=2010-03-15 |date=2009-07-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Schroedter |title=Park Grill not required to pay property taxes: ruling |work=[http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/ Crain's Chicago Business] |url=http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=34582 |date =2009-06-29 |accessdate=2010-03-17}}</ref>


===Daley administration response===
===Daley administration response===


Mayor [[Richard M. Daley]] criticized the Park Grill deal, saying that [[lawyers]] for the city and the Chicago Park District erred and that the city wanted to renegotiate the pact. "Lawyers do make mistakes," Daley said. "That's what it was. ... It's embarrassing to them. Yes it is--the corporation counsel and the Park District counsel."<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Gary |last1=Washburn |first2=Liam |last2=Ford |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-8293115_ITM |title=City wants new park restaurant pact - Millennium eatery got sweet deal, Daley says |work=[http://www.chicagotribune.com/ Chicago Tribune]] |accessdate=2010-03-28 |date=2005-02-17}}</ref><ref name=parkperks>{{cite | magazine = Crain's Chicago Business | last = Hinz | first = Greg | title = Park perks; Why did the city just get three local bids for a world class restraunt location?| date = 2/28/2005 | accessdate = 3/18/2010 | url = http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/article.pl?article_id=23154}}</ref> In a February 9 2005 letter to O'Malley and Horan, Chicago's [[Corporation Counsel]] Mara Georges warned that the concession agreement "does not authorize your occupation of the Park Grill facilities" because the city owns the land, and City Hall should have been party to the original agreement when it was not.<ref name=lease>{{cite news |first=Fran |last=Spielman |title=Park District wasn't allowed to give lease; Daley aide says it's city that actually owns Park Grill site |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=108960983B81CED2&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.suntimes.com Chicago Sun-Times] |date=2005-02-16 |accessdate=2010-03-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite |title=Daley spreads blame over Park Grill lease; Says deal with ritzy restaurant was not legal |work=[http://www.suntimes.com Chicago Sun-Times] |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=108960984DE050BB&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |date=2005-02-17 |accessdate=2010-03-28 |first=Fran |last=Spielman}}</ref><ref name=oversight/> Chicago Park District Superintendent Tim Mitchell said the Park District also wanted to renegotiate the contract.<ref name=reviews/><ref name=percentage/> On February 11, 2005, Daley asked state lawmakers to impose tougher penalties for defrauding tax payers, and was questioned by reporters about why the Park Grill had not paid any property taxes and gets free gas, water and garbage pick-up.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Illinois Mayor wants tougher penalties |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:MBRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=10892660848613C8&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.mobileregister.com/ Mobile Register] |date=2005-02-13 |accessdate=2010-03-23}}</ref> Erma Tranter, president of the [[Friends of the Parks]] watchdog group, speaking at a Park District [http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/departments.board.cfm Board of Commissioners] meeting, questioned why the controversial Park Grill contract had yet to be renegotiated 11 months after Mayor Daley vowed to do so.<ref name=shed>{{cite news |title= Shed light on park costs, group says: Price of upkeep at Millennium not clear: watchdog group |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=10F18C4D074CC640&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.suntimes.com Chicago Sun-Times |date=2006-01-12 |accessdate=2010-03-28 |first=Andrew |last=Herrmann}}</ref>
Mayor [[Richard M. Daley]] criticized the Park Grill deal, saying that [[lawyers]] for the city and the Chicago Park District erred and that the city wanted to renegotiate the pact. "Lawyers do make mistakes," Daley said. "That's what it was. ... It's embarrassing to them. Yes it is--the corporation counsel and the Park District counsel."<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Gary |last1=Washburn |first2=Liam |last2=Ford |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-8293115_ITM |title=City wants new park restaurant pact - Millennium eatery got sweet deal, Daley says |work=[http://www.chicagotribune.com/ Chicago Tribune]] |accessdate=2010-03-28 |date=2005-02-17}}</ref><ref name=parkperks>{{cite | magazine = Crain's Chicago Business | last = Hinz | first = Greg | title = Park perks; Why did the city just get three local bids for a world class restraunt location?| date = 2/28/2005 | accessdate = 3/18/2010 | url = http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/article.pl?article_id=23154}}</ref> In a February 9 2005 letter to O'Malley and Horan, Chicago's [[Corporation Counsel]] Mara Georges warned that the concession agreement "does not authorize your occupation of the Park Grill facilities" because the city owns the land, and City Hall should have been party to the original agreement when it was not.<ref name=lease>{{cite news |first=Fran |last=Spielman |title=Park District wasn't allowed to give lease; Daley aide says it's city that actually owns Park Grill site |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=108960983B81CED2&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.suntimes.com/ Chicago Sun-Times] |date=2005-02-16 |accessdate=2010-03-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite |title=Daley spreads blame over Park Grill lease; Says deal with ritzy restaurant was not legal |work=[http://www.suntimes.com/ Chicago Sun-Times] |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=108960984DE050BB&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |date=2005-02-17 |accessdate=2010-03-28 |first=Fran |last=Spielman}}</ref><ref name=oversight/> Chicago Park District Superintendent Tim Mitchell said the Park District also wanted to renegotiate the contract.<ref name=reviews/><ref name=percentage/> On February 11, 2005, Daley asked state lawmakers to impose tougher penalties for defrauding tax payers, and was questioned by reporters about why the Park Grill had not paid any property taxes and gets free gas, water and garbage pick-up.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Illinois Mayor wants tougher penalties |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:MBRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=10892660848613C8&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.mobileregister.com/ Mobile Register] |date=2005-02-13 |accessdate=2010-03-23}}</ref> Erma Tranter, president of the [[Friends of the Parks]] watchdog group, speaking at a Park District [http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/departments.board.cfm Board of Commissioners] meeting, questioned why the controversial Park Grill contract had yet to be renegotiated 11 months after Mayor Daley vowed to do so.<ref name=shed>{{cite news |title= Shed light on park costs, group says: Price of upkeep at Millennium not clear: watchdog group |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=10F18C4D074CC640&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.suntimes.com/ Chicago Sun-Times |date=2006-01-12 |accessdate=2010-03-28 |first=Andrew |last=Herrmann}}</ref>


The ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' dubbed the Park Grill the "Clout Cafe"<ref name=emails>{{cite news |first=Fran |last=Spielman |title=Daley: City ethics panel given 'clout cafe' e-mails; Role of park official involved with restaurant partner being probed |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=109293F7B54BE723&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.suntimes.com Chicago Sun-Times] |date=2005-03-25 |accessdate=2010-03-16}}</ref><ref name=cloutcafe/> and included the contract award process in a year-end review of Daley administration scandals.<ref name=rough>{{cite news |first=Fran |last=Spielman |title=Daley's rough year: Wave of Scandals weakens mayor's influence |url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_topdoc=1&p_docnum=1&p_sort=YMD_date:D&p_product=NewsBank&p_text_direct-0=document_id=%28%2010EE3E955EF4CA18%20%29&p_docid=10EE3E955EF4CA18&p_theme=aggdocs&p_queryname=10EE3E955EF4CA18&f_openurl=yes&p_nbid=L67S5AYWMTI2ODc3MTczMi42MjYzMzY6MToxNDoyMTYuMTQ3LjIxNS4zMw&&p_multi=CSTB |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=Jan 2 2006|accessdate=Mar 16 2010}}</ref>
The ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' dubbed the Park Grill the "Clout Cafe"<ref name=emails>{{cite news |first=Fran |last=Spielman |title=Daley: City ethics panel given 'clout cafe' e-mails; Role of park official involved with restaurant partner being probed |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=109293F7B54BE723&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://www.suntimes.com/ Chicago Sun-Times] |date=2005-03-25 |accessdate=2010-03-16}}</ref><ref name=cloutcafe/> and included the contract award process in a year-end review of Daley administration scandals.<ref name=rough>{{cite news |first=Fran |last=Spielman |title=Daley's rough year: Wave of Scandals weakens mayor's influence |url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_topdoc=1&p_docnum=1&p_sort=YMD_date:D&p_product=NewsBank&p_text_direct-0=document_id=%28%2010EE3E955EF4CA18%20%29&p_docid=10EE3E955EF4CA18&p_theme=aggdocs&p_queryname=10EE3E955EF4CA18&f_openurl=yes&p_nbid=L67S5AYWMTI2ODc3MTczMi42MjYzMzY6MToxNDoyMTYuMTQ3LjIxNS4zMw&&p_multi=CSTB |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=Jan 2 2006|accessdate=Mar 16 2010}}</ref>


===Profitability===
===Profitability===


The grand opening was set for November 29, 2003.<ref name=Quigley/> In its first year of operation, Park Grill paid $162,656.72 in rent.<ref name=parkperks/> The 2004/2005 Zagat survey named the restaurant among the 5 "Top Newcomers" to Chicago.<ref name=2004zag>{{cite | title = Zagat Survey Announces 2004/05 Chicago Restaurants Guide | url = http://www.travelindustrywire.com/article11629-Zagat_Survey_Announces_________Chicago_Restaurants_Guide.html | date = 6/29/2004 | accessdate = 3/16/2010}}</ref> The Park Grill began making money for its investors in its third year of operation, 2006, when investors split $527,250 in profits.<ref>{{cite news |title=Thanks to taxpayers...'Clout cafe' makes money - Park Dist. paying for its gas, garbage pickup |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11E8641A2B3F3E48&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://wwww.suntimes.com Chicago Sun-Times] |date=2008-01-31 |accessdate=2010-03-28 |first1=Tim |last1=Novak |first2=Chris |last2=Fusco |first3=Dave |last3=McKinney |first4=Steve |last4Warmbyir}}</ref> In 2008 the Park Grill was named one of the top 100 highest-[[gross (economics)|gross]]ing independent restaurants in the US, serving approximately 300,000 meals and grossing approximately $(US)12,000,000 in [[sales]], making it the 7th largest independent restaurant in terms of sales in [[Chicago]] in 2007 according to ''[[Restaurants and Institutions]]'' magazine.<ref name=r&i>{{cite | magazine = Restaurants & Institutions | author = Staff | title = Top 100 Independent Restaurants | name = Restaurants & Institutions | date = April 15, 2008 | url = http://www.rimag.com/article/368127-Special_Report_2008_Top_100_Independent_Restaurants.php | accessdate = 3/16/2010}}</ref>
The grand opening was set for November 29, 2003.<ref name=Quigley/> In its first year of operation, Park Grill paid $162,656.72 in rent.<ref name=parkperks/> The 2004/2005 Zagat survey named the restaurant among the 5 "Top Newcomers" to Chicago.<ref name=2004zag>{{cite | title = Zagat Survey Announces 2004/05 Chicago Restaurants Guide | url = http://www.travelindustrywire.com/article11629-Zagat_Survey_Announces_________Chicago_Restaurants_Guide.html | date = 6/29/2004 | accessdate = 3/16/2010}}</ref> The Park Grill began making money for its investors in its third year of operation, 2006, when investors split $527,250 in profits.<ref>{{cite news |title=Thanks to taxpayers...'Clout cafe' makes money - Park Dist. paying for its gas, garbage pickup |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11E8641A2B3F3E48&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://wwww.suntimes.com/ Chicago Sun-Times] |date=2008-01-31 |accessdate=2010-03-28 |first1=Tim |last1=Novak |first2=Chris |last2=Fusco |first3=Dave |last3=McKinney |first4=Steve |last4Warmbyir}}</ref> In 2008 the Park Grill was named one of the top 100 highest-[[gross (economics)|gross]]ing independent restaurants in the US, serving approximately 300,000 meals and grossing approximately $(US)12,000,000 in [[sales]], making it the 7th largest independent restaurant in terms of sales in [[Chicago]] in 2007 according to ''[[Restaurants and Institutions]]'' magazine.<ref name=r&i>{{cite | magazine = Restaurants & Institutions | author = Staff | title = Top 100 Independent Restaurants | name = Restaurants & Institutions | date = April 15, 2008 | url = http://www.rimag.com/article/368127-Special_Report_2008_Top_100_Independent_Restaurants.php | accessdate = 3/16/2010}}</ref>


The Park Grill remains exempt from property taxes, and the contract has not been renegotiated.<ref name=stillno/><ref>{{cite news |title=One restaurant's lease is another's $1 million license - Michigan Ave. cafe pays no tax, hot dog stand owes $106,588 |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=12A0F2565199A550&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://wwww.suntimes.com Chicago Sun-Times] |date=2009-08-13 |accessdate=2010-03-28 |first=Mark |last=Brown}}</ref>
The Park Grill remains exempt from property taxes, and the contract has not been renegotiated.<ref name=stillno/><ref>{{cite news |title=One restaurant's lease is another's $1 million license - Michigan Ave. cafe pays no tax, hot dog stand owes $106,588 |url=http://docs.newsbank.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=12A0F2565199A550&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=B6CFE18F6BE74DF2BDFD4F5B32857B29 |work=[http://wwww.suntimes.com/ Chicago Sun-Times] |date=2009-08-13 |accessdate=2010-03-28 |first=Mark |last=Brown}}</ref>


==Menu==
==Menu==
Line 102: Line 102:
==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.parkgrillchicago.com/ Park Grill] official site
* [http://www.parkgrillchicago.com/ Park Grill] official site
* [http://www.millenniumpark.org/generalinformation/dining_accomodations.html Dining and Accommodations] on the [http://www.millenniumpark.org Millennium Park] website
* [http://www.millenniumpark.org/generalinformation/dining_accomodations.html Dining and Accommodations] on the [http://www.millenniumpark.org/ Millennium Park] website


{{Millennium Park}}
{{Millennium Park}}

Revision as of 01:16, 9 April 2010

Park Grill
Map
Restaurant information
EstablishedNovember 24, 2003
Head chefBernard Laskowski[1]
Food typeContemporary American Cuisine
Dress codeCasual
Street address11 North Michigan Avenue
CityChicago
StateIL
Postal/ZIP Code60602
CountryUSA
Seating capacity300
ReservationsYes
Websitewww.parkgrillchicago.com

The Park Grill is a contemporary American cuisine restaurant located at Millennium Park in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Park District's awarding of the contract to the partners of the Park Grill is among the most prominent scandals of the administration of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2005.

Location and views

Bordering Millennium Park along Chicago's Michigan Avenue, the famous Chicago sculpture Cloud Gate on the AT&T Plaza is located on the roof of Park Grill.[2]

In summer, the restaurant's outdoor seating outdoor seating area is the largest al fresco dining area in Chicago.[2][3][4] In winter, this outdoor seating becomes McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink,[5][6][7][8] and diners in the 300-seat[9] Park Grill overlook the skating rink through floor-to-ceiling windows.[10]

The Unofficial Guide to Chicago points out the "spectacular view of the Chicago skyline, fronted by the ice rink at Millennium Park."[11] Fodor's Chicago 2010 says "Location trumps service at Park Grill, where a seat on the patio in summer, in full view of Millennium Park, is among the best in the city. Sadly, the waitstaff lapses..."[12] The National Geographic's website's Chicago Walking Tour: Millennium and Grant Parks recommends the Park Grill as it "allows you to admire the surrounding architecture passively."[13] The restaurant was noted as one of the "99 Best of Chicago," named as one of three under the category of "Best Restaurants with a View" in Night+Day Chicago.[14] Zagat lists Park Grill as one of the "choice outdoor spots in town."[15] New City Chicago magazine named it one of the top 100 essential restaurants in the city, urging, "Ignore the scandal over sweetheart deals with the city for a moment and consider this: Park Grill sits in the hottest spot in the city today, if not in America."[16]

Film location

The Lake House (film), starring Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves, filmed scenes from the Park Grill (called Il Mare in the movie) in which Bullock's character (Kate) watches skaters from the windows of the restaurant.[17][18]

History

In 2003 the Chicago Park District awarded a 20-year contract to run the Park Grill.[19]

Background of managing partners

Matthew A. O'Malley and James Horan are the managing partners.[20][19]

O'Malley once worked for the powerful U.S. Rep. Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.). O'Malley runs the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, around the corner from the home of Mayor Richard M. Daley, who has been a steady customer. The restaurant is in an old, re-purposed firehouse bought from the city. O'Malley also has been a business partner with the son of power broker and former Alderman Edward Vrdolyak.[19] O'Malley and his brother Paul were picked to run the Clock Tower Cafe at the Sydney Marovitz Golf Course in Lincoln Park on the Chicago lakefront.[21][22]

James Horan is a restaurant owner and caterer who is president[20] of Blue Plate Catering. Blue Plate runs a cafe at Gallery 37, an after-school program created and fostered by Mayor Daley's wife, Maggie Daley.[19]

Background of investors

O'Malley lined up more than 80 investors[19][23] for the Park Grill including some of Mayor Richard M. Daley's friends and neighbors.[19][24] Investors put up $200,000 for one share of the restaurant.[19] Among the investors are Daley's friend Fred Barbara,[19][25][26] a nephew of the late Chicago Alderman Fred Roti.[19] Barbara has ties to the Hired Truck Program scandal and the blue bag recycling controversy.[19] Other investors include relatives of Daley's political adviser Timothy Degnan.[19][25] Other investors include two neighbors of the mayor, Ray Chinn,[19][26] a clout-heavy O'Hare Airport contractor, and Rick Simon, a controversial figure who runs a janitorial business and sits on the board of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau.[19] Also among the investors is former congressman Morgan F. Murphy, who has had business dealings with convicted labor boss John Serpico.[19]

Among the vendors for Park Grill was an architectural metal company owned by the son of then Chicago Alderman Burton Natarus (42nd).[19]

Contract award process

O'Malley's and two other groups submitted proposals to run the restaurant in September 2001. By the end of the year, O'Malley's team had been selected to run the restaurant, souvenir and concession stands, and a cafe in the new Millennium Park.[19] The Park Grill group's proposal was twice as long as the other two but, technically, promised the Park District the lowest revenues.[27]

The Park Grill contract was signed Feb. 11, 2003.[19][28][21] The contract requires that Park Grill pay a percent of net sales and an additional fee of $275,000 per year, but the latter was not due until the Park Grill recouped half its build-out costs.[27] As part of its deal, the Park District pays for water, gas, and garbage collection at Park Grill.[29] The garbage pickup costs taxpayers about $245,000 annually.[19]

Park District project manager's relationship with contractor

The Park District team, including an outside consultant, spent 18 months negotiating a contract with O'Malley's group.[19] During that time, Laura Foxgrover, a top official in the Park District department directly overseeing the deal, gave birth to O'Malley 's child.[19][21][26][27][28][30][31][32][29][33][34][35][36] Prior to working for the Park District, Foxgrover had been an employee of O'Malley as director of operations[26] at the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant.[21] Foxgrover held the title "senior project manager" at the Park District at an annual salary of $94,000.[19] In May 2002 Foxgrover wrote a memo recusing herself from negotiations, without saying why, and never told her superiors she was carrying O'Malley's child.[19][28] The girl was born in September, 2002.[19]

Foxgrover remained involved in the Millennium Park restaurant after she recused herself from contract negotiations in May, 2002.[21][30][37] In October 2003 Foxgrover spoke in favor of the restaurant getting a liquor license before a Chicago City Council committee while O'Malley owed Foxgrover at least $5,000.[21][30][37][26][38] On the same day, Foxgrover worked to get O'Malley's Clock Tower Cafe a liquor license.[21] In one July 2003 e-mail, Foxgrover, then the acting director of park services, said that if O'Malley's contractor had any questions for the Park District, she will be the point person.[30] In August 2003, Horan sent out an e-mail mentioning a discussion Horan had with Foxgrover, in which Horan asked Foxgrover if the Park District would waive a form of insurance on the restaurant's construction.[30] A provision in the Park Grill contract allows the restaurant to arrange a series of summer concerts on the Millennium Park ice-skating rink, drawing crowds that bolster food and drink sales. In summer 2004, O'Malley and his partners asked Clear Channel-owned WNUA Radio to conduct the concerts. In February 2005, Foxgrover led a five-member Park District committee that chose Clear Channel over JAM Productions to operate the new concert venue at Northerly Island on the former site of Meigs Field.[27][39][37]

Foxgrover was the subject of an ethics investigation.[21] An ethics officer for the Chicago Board of Ethics concluded that Foxgrover did not violate the district's ethics ordinance and should be allowed to keep her $90,000-a-year job as the Park District's director of development.[40] By 2008 Foxgrover had left the Park District to work for O'Malley's restaurant management company.[36]

Exemption from property tax

On March 16, 2005 Cook County Assessor James Houlihan's office sent Horan and O’Malley a letter notifying Park Grill that it was being assessed at $502,550 and that it would be sent a bill in the fall for 2004 property taxes.[29][41] On August 5 Horan and O’Malley filed a lawsuit against the assessor, asking that a judge prohibit the county from imposing property taxes.[29][42] The owners asserted that their contract to run Park Grill was a property tax exempt concessionaire agreement and not a taxable lease.[29][41][43][44] The state’s attorney’s office, which defended the assessor in the case, said "our position is that the Park Grill is a leaseholder and as a leaseholder they are subject to taxes.”[29] In 2009 an appellate court affirmed the circuit court's finding that the agreement to run Park Grill was not a lease but a license.[43][33][41][45][46]

Daley administration response

Mayor Richard M. Daley criticized the Park Grill deal, saying that lawyers for the city and the Chicago Park District erred and that the city wanted to renegotiate the pact. "Lawyers do make mistakes," Daley said. "That's what it was. ... It's embarrassing to them. Yes it is--the corporation counsel and the Park District counsel."[47][25] In a February 9 2005 letter to O'Malley and Horan, Chicago's Corporation Counsel Mara Georges warned that the concession agreement "does not authorize your occupation of the Park Grill facilities" because the city owns the land, and City Hall should have been party to the original agreement when it was not.[31][48][24] Chicago Park District Superintendent Tim Mitchell said the Park District also wanted to renegotiate the contract.[28][27] On February 11, 2005, Daley asked state lawmakers to impose tougher penalties for defrauding tax payers, and was questioned by reporters about why the Park Grill had not paid any property taxes and gets free gas, water and garbage pick-up.[49] Erma Tranter, president of the Friends of the Parks watchdog group, speaking at a Park District Board of Commissioners meeting, questioned why the controversial Park Grill contract had yet to be renegotiated 11 months after Mayor Daley vowed to do so.[35]

The Chicago Sun-Times dubbed the Park Grill the "Clout Cafe"[30][45] and included the contract award process in a year-end review of Daley administration scandals.[32]

Profitability

The grand opening was set for November 29, 2003.[8] In its first year of operation, Park Grill paid $162,656.72 in rent.[25] The 2004/2005 Zagat survey named the restaurant among the 5 "Top Newcomers" to Chicago.[50] The Park Grill began making money for its investors in its third year of operation, 2006, when investors split $527,250 in profits.[51] In 2008 the Park Grill was named one of the top 100 highest-grossing independent restaurants in the US, serving approximately 300,000 meals and grossing approximately $(US)12,000,000 in sales, making it the 7th largest independent restaurant in terms of sales in Chicago in 2007 according to Restaurants and Institutions magazine.[52]

The Park Grill remains exempt from property taxes, and the contract has not been renegotiated.[33][53]

Bernard Laskowski, formerly of Chicago restaurants Marche and mk, is the executive chef.[1] The menu is traditional American food with international influences.[54][11][12][55] Park Grill hamburgers achieved high citywide rankings in several publications, including best burgers in Time Out Chicago (2005) and Citysearch (2008).[56][57][58][59][60]

The Park Cafe, adjacent to the Park Grill, offers takeout food such as salads and sandwiches.[61]

References

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