CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
People who wanted pavilion seats at Taste of Chicago this year had to pay for the first time ever -- $25 a ticket. But a FOX Chicago News investigation finds nearly three dozen Chicago aldermen got free tickets to all five shows.
Earlier this year, the City Council overwhelmingly approved the plan to charge for Taste concerts, because the event was losing money. But the city offered every alderman two free tickets to each of the five nightly concerts -- featuring acts like Jennifer Hudson, Death Cab for Cutie, Chaka Khan and Dierks Bentley.
Ald. Rick Munoz (22nd Ward) was one of just 17 who turned down the tickets.
"If it's not free for the general public, then there's no reason we should be exercising that perk," Ald. Munoz said.
Many of the 33 aldermen who took the free tickets say they gave them away. Ald. Anthony Beale (9th Ward) says he gave them to constituents.
"I give them to residents in our ward who do extraordinary things, and really have an impact on things that are happening in the community," Ald. Beale said.
Ald. Timothy Cullerton says he picked up the tickets, and immediately gave them to two "kids he saw on the elevator." He says aldermen shouldn't use the tickets themselves.
"If I were to use the tickets, I should pay for 'em," Ald. Cullerton said.
Here are the 33 aldermen who took the ticket package:
Alderman Proco Joe Moreno (1st)
Alderman Robert Fioretti (2nd)
Alderman Pat Dowell (3rd)
Alderman Will Burns (4th)
Alderman Leslie Hairston (5th)
Alderman Michelle Harris (8th)
Alderman Anthony Beale (9th)
Alderman John A. Pope (10th)
Alderman James Balcer (11th)
Alderman Toni Foulkes (15th)
Alderman JoAnn Thompson (16th)
Alderman Latasha Thomas (17th)
Alderman Lona Lane (18th)
Alderman Willie B. Cochran (20th)
Alderman Howard Brookins Jr (21st)
Alderman Michael Chandler (24th)
Alderman Daniel Solis (25th)
Alderman Ariel E. Reboyras (30th)
Alderman Ray Suarez (31st)
Alderman Scott Waguespack (32nd)
Alderman Richard Mell (33rd)
Alderman Carrie Austin (34th)
Alderman Rey Colon (35th)
Alderman Emma Mitts (37th)
Alderman Timothy M. Cullerton (38th)
Alderman Margaret Laurino (39th)
Alderman Patrick O'Connor (40th)
Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd)
Alderman Thomas Tunney (44th)
Alderman John Arena (45th)
Alderman James Cappleman (46th)
Alderman Harry Osterman (48th)
Alderman Joe Moore (49th)
