⏰ NOW is the time to jump in the lake!

Are Chicago’s Farm-to-Table Restaurants Worth It?

It’s summer: Farmers markets are buzzing all over the city. Home gardens are in full swing. Local chefs are promoting seasonal ingredients … All this got us thinking about what farm-to-table looks like in Chicago. On today’s podcast, The Infatuation’s Adrian Kane and John Ringor discuss how the movement has evolved, plus Chicago’s best farm-to-table restaurants. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

CPS Ends Private Custodial Contracts, Cuts 480 Janitor Positions

Chicago Public Schools is ending all private custodial contracts to directly oversee all janitorial staff. That means about 1,250 custodians have lost their jobs for now, but 750 will be hired back. The move comes as the district works to close a $734 million budget hole before next school year. [WBEZ]

• Related: The CPS budget battle is heating up. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
  

Merch Mart Hits the Market

Vornado Realty Trust is selling Merchandise Mart. The property is 3.7 million square feet and, currently, 22% vacant. Amid a depressed downtown office market, the Mart is unlikely to fetch the $870 million Vornado values it at. For now, the company’s CEO says they’ll hold out. [Crain’s]

Transit Apps To Track ‘Ghost Buses’

We’ve all done it: waited 15 minutes for a bus that’s about to arrive, then — poof! The Chicago Transit Authority is now sharing data about these canceled “ghost buses,” so they no longer appear to be coming on transit apps. The change is coming soon to the Ventra app, Google Maps, and Apple Maps. [Sun-Times]

• Pro tip: Texting the 41411 number (with route info from bus stop signs) is usually accurate!