Mayor to Pardon Two Italian Beef and Sausage Combos

By Patrick J. Reilly

CHICAGO, IL - In accordance with the beloved national tradition, Mayor Lori Lightfoot will perform the annual pardoning of two Italian beef and sausage combo sandwiches on Tuesday. The ceremony dates back to 1938, when Al Ferrari, inventor of the iconic Chicago sandwich, first presented Mayor Edward Kelly with an Italian Beef as a Thanksgiving treat.

After a city-wide vote, the mounds of thinly sliced roast beef, Italian sausage, and giardiniera peppers on a thick Italian bun dipped in meat drippings have been given the names Chance on-a-Wrapper, and Lori Light-on-the-gravy.

The Italian beef and sausage combos will live out the rest of their days at a farm near Gurnee, where they will be kept in comfort with past recipients of the mayoral pardon.

Mayor Lightfoot’s office reportedly considered going against tradition and pardoning a Chicago-style hot dog this year. However, the hot dog was found to have ketchup, a crime for which no parole is possible.