Lake Forest Podcast Files FOIA After City Hides Beach Vendor Scoring Sheet

The city of Lake Forest awarded the Forest Park Beach concession contract to Cotton Duck LLC — the team behind the popular Peanut Gallery — but is refusing to release the scoring sheet used to make that decision, despite a FOIA request filed by The Lake Forest Podcast.

Left Bank Wine Bar & Café was among the applicants that did not receive the contract. Left Bank was previously turned down for not offering enough to the city — but has since increased its offer significantly.

"When the city says they used a rating scale and it was above board — and then you don't show it — it's not above board," said Lake Forest Podcast host Pete Jansons. "How did Left Bank get aced out? That's all I'm saying."

City Clerk Margaret Boyer denied the request for the final scoring results. The Lake Forest Podcast has escalated the matter to the Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor.

The full conversation aired on the April 3rd episode of The Lake Forest Podcast, "You're Telling Me Now?" — which also covers a surprise announcement from co-host Joe Weiss, a $1 million lottery ticket sold in Lake County, and a lightning strike on a Lake Forest home.

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/du9QiiWLCgQ