News Briefs: Free Metra rides to Ravinia; Property-tax appeals due Thursday; Pit & Tap adds brunch

For the fifth straight summer, Ravinia Festival ticket holders can ride Metra’s UP North Line to and from the venue for free this summer (between June 6-Aug. 31).

Concertgoers need only show their ticket to a Metra conductor for the free admission on the line, which has stops in Wilmette, Winnetka, Kenilworth, Glencoe, Highland Park and more. The Ravinia Park Station is at the entrance to the venue, and the Braeside Station is within walking distance.

According to a press release from Metra, on weekday nights, Metra trains will stop at the Ravinia Park Station starting at 5 p.m, while weekend service to Ravinia Park will begin mid-morning and continue throughout the day when events are scheduled.

“This partnership is just one more way we can bring value to our customers,” Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski said in a statement. “Metra has always been more than just a way to commute to work. It’s a way to travel affordably and sustainably to enjoy all that the Chicago region has to offer. The fact that our trains stop at the entrance to Ravinia Park is a great example of how easy it is to access many regional attractions without a car.”

Assessment appeals due on Thursday

Property owners in New Trier Township have received their reassessment notices, which include information used to calculate the second installment of the 2026 property tax bill.

Property owners who feel the assessment is incorrect can file an appeal online by Thursday, June 5.

Per the assessor’s website, “property owners have the right to file an appeal. Appeals can be filed online and are completely free; a lawyer is not required. If the property characteristics listed on your assessment notice are incorrect, or if the estimated market value of your home is significantly more than what you believe your home could sell for in the current real estate market, you should consider filing an appeal. A guideline to follow is if the property characteristics on your notice are correct and the estimated market value is within 10% of what you think your home is worth, then it is unlikely that an appeal would change your property’s assessed value enough to significantly affect its property tax bill.”

The website also includes more information on property taxes and how they work.

Pit & Tap starts brunch service

Wilmette restaurant Pit & Tap debuted its brunch menu on Saturday, May 31, starting service that is available every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In a press release, Pit & Tap announced that chef Armando Esquivel, formerly of the original Fuel restaurant, is leading the brunch concepts, which include chilaquiles, avocado toast, eggs Benedict, churro French toast, and The Bris-Cuit, brisket topped with house-smoked strawberry jam and nestled in a freshly baked biscuit.

“We’re excited to bring a fresh and flavorful brunch experience to our guests,” owner Michael Clarke said in a statement. “Having Armando on board makes this menu truly special, and we can’t wait for the community to try it.”

For more information, visit pitandtap.com and follow the restaurant on social media @pitandtap.

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