Your Daily Guide

Election Night Watch Parties

We follow local races extremely closely here at City Cast Chicago. But tomorrow’s election could represent a watershed for the country as a whole … Perhaps pizza and beer will ease your nerves. Or maybe you just want to watch results come in alongside fellow civics nerds.

Either way, we got you.

Indivisible Downtown’s Watch Party

Indivisible Downtown, a chapter of the progressive grassroots group Indivisible Chicago, is hosting a watch party at the Pizano’s Pizza and Pasta on Madison Street in the Loop. Cash bar. Friends welcome. Free to RSVP.

• 7-11 p.m.

The TRiiBe’s Watch Party

Officially titled Journalism in Unprecedented Times, this community gathering will feature a Q&A with TRiiBE founders Tiffany Walden and Morgan Elise Johnson about the journalism’s role in shaping Black politics. ​Food and refreshments included. Free to RSVP; must RSVP for the address.

• 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Chicago DSA’s Watch Party

The Chicago chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America is hosting its event at Big Chicks in Uptown. (Good bar food — I like the steak salad.) The group will be following DSA-supported candidates nationwide. Free to RSVP.

• 7-11 p.m.

Watch Party at Bobby’s Eastside

This bar and grill in Forest Park will be playing CNN and WTTW Chicago for both national and local coverage. Free to RSVP.

• 7 p.m.

City Club Chicago’s Watch Party

City Club Chicago, a private nonpartisan club, is hosting an event at The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant on the Near South Side. It includes drinks and light bites. Tickets for non-members are $150.

• 6:30 p.m.

Daniel Biss’ Watch Party

Democrat candidate for the 9th congressional district Daniel Biss is hosting a watch party at Jarvis Square Tavern in Rogers Park. Biss faces Republican John Elleson this Election Day. Free to RSVP.

• 7-10 p.m.

Bob Fioretti’s Watch Party

Republican candidate for Illinois Attorney General Bob Fioretti is hosting a watch party at the Billy Goat Tavern on Madison Street on the Near West Side. A former 2nd Ward alder, Fioretti faces incumbent Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. Free to RSVP.

• 7-10 p.m.

… Meanwhile, the City Cast Chicago team will be working to bring election results straight to your inbox tomorrow. Expect your newsletter and podcast a bit later than usual.

MANY Health Code Violations at the Taste

More than two-thirds of the 81 vendors at this year’s Taste of Chicago violated health code there. Among those violations: food prepped in bushes. Additionally, less than half of vendors were regulation-compliant when applying to be part of the fest. [Sun-Times]

Ex-Chicago FBI Boss Sues Over ‘Broadview 6’ Fallout

Douglas DePodesta, former head of the FBI’s Chicago field office, is suing President Donald Trump’s administration, alleging he was pushed out of his job over the “politically motivated” prosecutions of the “Broadview Six.” When the high-profile case fell apart, DePodesta says federal prosecutor Andrew Boutros and others scapegoated him. [WBEZ]

• Remember the ‘Broadview 6’? Here’s what happened. [City Cast Chicago ]

West Loop Open Books Closing

Open Books, a nonprofit bookstore, will close in West Loop Nov. 8. That leaves the Pilsen location as its final store. The Logan Square location closed earlier this year. [Block Club]

• Read: Chicago indie bookstores we love. [City Cast Chicago 💻]

Chicago Has a Christmas Tree

The city has chosen its 113th annual Christmas tree: a 50-foot Norway Spruce from suburban Campton Hills. The official lighting is Nov. 20 in Millennium Park. [CBS]

• Related: Christmas trees you find in Chicagoland. [City Cast Chicago 💻]