Feds aiming to nix carpenters union vote
The Labor Department is suing the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, seeking to nullify last year's election of officers and force a new vote at one of the area's largest unions and all 42 of its locals. Responding to several member complaints, the department alleges that election results "may have" been affected by the lack of a secret ballot and the "unreasonable" requirement that candidates had to serve as delegates for three successive years before they could run. Labor Department and union spokesmen decline comment. [Paul Merrion]

Another fish place to angle for diners
Oceanaire Seafood Room plans to open its first Chicago location at 351 N. Clark St., an office tower under development by Mesirow Financial and others, says Chicago real estate firm Baum Realty. The Minneapolis-based seafood chain, with restaurants designed to resemble a 1930s ocean liner, operates eight locations nationwide and is in the midst of an expansion. [Sandra Jones]

New tax stream pitched for museums
Major cultural institutions have a $1.1-billion impact on the local economy, but they need more public help in the form of a quarter-cent sales tax in Cook County, according to a report being issued Monday by the Civic Federation. The tax policy group says the estimated $120 million a year in proceeds from such a levy would provide a stable source of money for organizations such as the Art Institute, Botanic Garden and Brookfield Zoo, while also allowing new groups to get money. Any sales tax hike should be tied to a minimum 50% cut in the portion of the property levy now imposed by the county and Chicago Park District that goes to cultural institutions, the report says. [Greg Hinz]