Major trade shows are abandoning Chicago's McCormick Place--the city's sprawling trade show complex, because of high costs compared to similar facilities in Las Vegas and Orlando. A top-heavy management structure stacked with political hacks is partly responsible, as are arcane union work rules.
But it gets worse, as Chicago Breaking News tells us. Reputed mob lieutenant Rudy Fratto, allegedly a member of the Elmwood Park crew of the Chicago Outfit, has been charged with mail fraud in regards to bid rigging at McCormick Place.
Chicago's convention business is an important jobs engine for the city. Restaurants, taxi firms, and hotels all suffer when trade shows ditch Chicago. McCormick Place's problems should be a major issue in this election year.
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