Crain's Daily Gist

07/27/23: Chicago pulls ahead on home price growth

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about local housing news, including how new data reveals Chicago leads the nation in home price growth. Plus: Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz dies at 70; the Biden administration pushes to expand insurance coverage for mental health care; Cook County opioid overdose deaths reach a grim new record, and in 20 months, Allstate auto insurance rates have climbed more than $1,000 in Illinois while State Farm announces ...

07/26/23: Office-to-warehouse fights coming to a suburb near you

Crain’s reporter Danny Ecker talks with host Amy Guth about a flurry of suburban office-to-warehouse conversions and why some are being met with community pushback. Plus: Northern Trust quietly chopping 900 jobs, Old Post Office developer looks to defy a brutal market with a new project, Nestle reorganizes Fulton Market-based Vital Proteins and forecast reports back-to-school spending this year may break records.

07/25/23: A Potbelly ex-CEO joins its latest growth plan

Crain's reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about Potbelly's business strategy, including how a former CEO became its newest franchisee. Plus: A new lawsuit alleges Northwestern football coaching staff knew of and perpetuated abuse; a new name tops the list of Chicago's largest banks, as many see a dip in assets; Zurich looks to shed nearly half its Schaumburg headquarters; CME cuts about 100 jobs; and extreme heat in parts of the U.S. pushes airlines to shed fuel and limit passen...

07/24/23: The fallout continues as Northwestern's hazing scandal widen

As another lawsuit is filed against Northwestern University, Crain's reporter Brandon Dupré talks with host Amy Guth about the latest misconduct accusations extending beyond the football program. Plus: If you live in Cook County, your next property tax bill will be arriving late — again; Choose Chicago commissions a NASCAR economic impact study; Chicago is a player in AI jobs, but lags its peers; and the total value of distressed U.S. offices jumps to $24.8 billion, more than malls.

07/20/23: Forecast expects lull in housing demand

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about local housing news, including one forecast that suggests 'muted' demand for city homes through 2030. Plus: Sierra Club aims to sue Trump Tower, U of C Booth school announces 10-month master’s program, Cameo cuts headcount by more than half and the White House asks Walgreens, CVS, Walmart for help promoting drug-cost law.

07/19/23: United ponies up for tentative pilots deal

Crain's reporter John Pletz joins host Amy Guth to talk about United Airlines, the tentative deal reached with the pilots union and what the airline has done to navigate challenges facing the industry during a busy summer travel season. Plus: First lawsuit filed in NU hazing scandal against former football coach Pat Fitzgerald, trustees, administrators; Outcome Health execs using novel argument to try to overturn their fraud convictions; Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois looks to fill 300...

07/18/23: Condos-to-apartments deals dot Chicago landscape

Crain's commercial real estate reporter Alby Gallun talks with host Amy Guth about condo deconversions around the city. Plus: As Mayor Johnson prepares his first city budget, he wants ideas from city youth; Chan Zuckerberg biohub will move to new space in Fulton Market; United Airlines pilots reach tentative contract deal; and Legal Sea Foods to replace Dick's Last Resort in Marina Towers.

07/17/23: Hazing scandal ignites crisis at Northwestern

Crain’s reporter Brandon Dupré talks with host Amy Guth about the Northwestern hazing scandal, questions facing the university’s president and the future of its stadium project. Plus: Finalists for Chicago Police chief selected, sent to Johnson for consideration; JPMorgan and Wells Fargo bulk up reserves for office loan losses; Kraft Heinz to open $400 million distribution center in DeKalb; and NASCAR event a mixed bag for Loop restaurants.

07/13/23: Big-money home deals slow down

Crain's residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about news from the local market, including how big-dollar sales are down by half this year. Plus: Gov. Pritzker issues disaster proclamation over storms in late June and early July, leads contingent of state political and business leaders on U.K. 'trade mission;’ feds say Outcome Health founder still spends lavishly despite asset freeze; Chicago developer plans Deerfield entertainment and retail project; and Uni...

07/12/23: The 'ComEd Four' are fighting their corruption verdicts

Crain's reporter Steve Daniels talks with Gist host Amy Guth about former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore's 77-page appeal of the "ComEd Four" convictions. Plus: Northwestern head football coach Pat Fitzgerald is fired amid claims of hazing; Bank of America will pay $250 million to settle the feds' case over extra fees and unauthorized cards; Illinois pot sales turned around in June; and hotel revenue statewide bounced back in a big way over the past year.

7/11/23: Invest South/West's big construction tab

Crain's reporter Alby Gallun talks with host Amy Guth about the city's Invest South/West program, its construction costs and where it fits into the broader South and West Side economies. Plus: UChicago and a Massachusetts firm will support startups in Hyde Park lab, hospitals to receive $9 billion after Supreme Court ruling, Out-of-town employers barely saw growth in their Chicago workforces last year and Chicago Atlantic pledges $150 million equity investment deal in New York.

07/10/23: Recapping the waterlogged NASCAR event

Crain’s Avery Donmoyer talks with host Amy Guth about NASCAR weekend, rain delays, crowd control and where the city might have felt the biggest impacts from the event. Plus: Downtown's office vacancy surge hits new record high, Chicago Fed chair says it's on path to curb inflation without triggering recession, Metra and the state plan to reboot Chicago-Rockford rail service and the birthplace of Black History Month gets National Park Service grant for rehab.

07/06/23: New push to revitalize Englewood

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about local housing news, including the Cook County Land Bank Authority’s recent effort to spur homeownership by targeting Englewood rehabs. Plus: Chicago pension debt rises to $35 billion as mayor hunts for fix, longtime Fulton Market building owner looks to cash out of landmarked building, United may cut Newark flights in effort to stem delays and Cook County continues to lose Black residents, along with other ...

07/05/23: Who will step into Jim Crown's shoes?

Crain’s Steven Strahler talks with host Amy Guth about possible succession paths for Henry Crown & Co. after the recent death of CEO Jim Crown. Plus: Universities navigate tricky future as SCOTUS strikes down affirmative action, local in-office work figures dip from post-pandemic high, powerful attorney and top academic both being pushed to lead city planning department and Abbott shareholders, including a powerful union pension, take aim at leadership.

06/29/23: Agent pleads with Chicagoans to stay

Host Amy Guth talks with Crain’s Dennis Rodkin about news from the local housing market and with local real estate agent Mike Conner, who has a message for Chicago residents: Please don’t leave. Plus: Invest South/West projects ring up sky-high construction costs, Medline names new CEO, unemployment nearing record low around metro Chicago and expect to pay less for beef, more for booze this Independence Day.

06/28/23: Argonne's shiny new $500 million toy

Crain’s tech reporter John Pletz talks with host Amy Guth about Argonne Labs’ new supercomputer that’s shaping up to be the fastest in the world. Plus: Walgreens plans more cuts after missing profit target, O'Hare one of the best airports for avoiding flight disruptions this summer, Cubs will offer direct streaming option later this summer and Bears CEO Warren says Arlington Heights negotiations at a 'stalemate' while another city woos the team.

06/27/23: Rocky Wirtz has plans for United Center region

Crain’s reporter Danny Ecker talks with host Amy Guth about Chicago Blackhawks ownership showing they have residential, hotel and retail development plans attached to their practice facility expansion. Plus: Jim Crown, scion of one of Chicago’s wealthiest families, dies in Colorado accident, shocking members of business and government; office owners get dire warning in new report that rebound unlikely before 2040; Cubs win lawsuit that claimed Wrigley renovations violated the Americans with ...

06/26/23: Cool off with a surefire summer performance

Crain’s contributor Graham Meyer, who writes the weekly Big Ticket column, talks with host Amy Guth about the can’t-miss arts and culture events in the month ahead. Plus: Banks' scramble for customers’ money means great savings rates and also industry anxiety; restaurant and bowling chain Pinstripes to go public; Kwame Raoul and five other AGs join feds' suit to block $28 billion Horizon-Amgen deal; and swarms of Taylor Swift fans helped boost CTA ridership.

06/22/23: Bronzeville's ceiling keeps rising

Crain's residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about how the prices of new construction homes in Bronzeville are about to top $1 million, along with other news from the local housing market. Plus: A dustup emerges over the search for Chicago's next top cop, a look at Chicago expansion plans from world's top dairy maker after $3.2B Kraft deal in 2020, Bernie Sanders launches Senate probe into Amazon warehouse safety and state regulators clamp down on Nicor Gas.

06/21/23: Looking at the Fast 50 class of 2023

Crain’s researcher Sophie Rodgers chats with host Amy Guth about this year’s Fast 50, an exclusive list looking at Chicago's fastest-growing companies. Plus: Aircraft mega-deals prompt bubble warning from industry vets; FAA to investigate ground incident involving United and Delta jets; Rivian adopts Tesla’s EV charging standard, joining Ford and GM; NASCAR partners with Lou Malnati’s, Garrett, Vienna Beef for street race weekend; and Exelon commits to overhaul board in 'ComEd Four'-related ...

06/20/23: What killed the good times at Instant Brands

Crain’s reporter Steve Daniels talks with host Amy Guth about the familiar tale of private equity and debt that’s landed the maker of Instant Pot and Pyrex in bankruptcy. Plus: Outcome Health co-founder fighting government efforts to seize assets; Walgreens, CVS issue new rules to stop denials and delays for lawful reproductive drugs; Progressive hikes auto rates in Illinois by 5%; and Priztker faces blowback as Illinois plans to freeze enrollment for noncitizen health care programs.

06/19/23: Return of the grocery tax

Crain’s reporter Avery Donmoyer talks with host Amy Guth about the Illinois' grocery tax going back into effect despite inflation still pushing up food prices. Plus: Alderperson wants Chicago pension funds to invest in real estate developments, Bally's clears another hurdle in the race to open a casino at Medinah Temple, mixed-income housing project on old Cabrini grounds scores city funding and a study shows Illinois ranks lowest of all states on racial equity.

06/15/23: Home prices hit new heights in certain burbs

Crain's residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about home prices in some suburbs reaching record highs. Plus: McDonald's ranked as one of world's five most valuable brands according to Kantar, Modelo Especial passes Bud Light as best-selling beer, Chicago Public Schools proposes flat budget for next year and travelers catch a break as airfares and rental car prices fall.

06/14/23: ChatGPT's already a fixture in Chicago biz

Crain’s tech reporter John Pletz chats with host Amy Guth about how companies are approaching ChatGPT and other AI tools. Plus: Waukegan reportedly enters contest to host Bears stadium; Grubhub lays off 400 workers, the latest ripple in a recent wave of local cutbacks; GM, Samsung pick northern Indiana for EV battery plant; and United Airlines' Scott Kirby sees pilot deal adding over $8 billion in costs.

06/13/23: Corner Bakery Cafe bought out of bankruptcy

Crain’s restaurants reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about the latest from the dining biz, including how a bid to buy Corner Bakery Cafe out of bankruptcy that has been approved in court. Plus: National opioid settlement including Walgreens, AbbVie's Allergan finalized for $17.3 billion; bill funding restoration of historic Pullman hotel going to Pritzker's desk; Walgreens sells remaining $330 million stake in Option Care Health; and Illinois among victims of massive cyberattac...

06/12/23: Sterling Bay turns to its fiercest critics to save Lincoln Yards

Crain's reporter Danny Ecker talks with host Amy Guth about developer Sterling Bay’s effort to strike a deal with the Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund to help bail out its Lincoln Yards megaproject. Plus: Gov. Pritzker makes personal pitch as EV battery makers near decision on Illinois plants, developer pulls plan to turn Baxter HQ into industrial park, the Chicago Sky's new co-owners include Laura Ricketts and Mary Dillon, and Midway is back to pre-pandemic strength, but O'Hare is lagging.

06/08/23: Chicago's vast racial home-value chasm

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about local housing news, including how Chicago has one of the widest racial gaps in appraised home values among big U.S. cities. Plus: NASCAR to shut down Lake Shore Drive for nearly a week, Vienna Beef plans to turn former Bucktown factory into HQ and restaurant, environmental activists vow to continue fight over Southeast Side metal shredder and Amtrak seeks funding to boost one of its major Chicago routes.

06/07/23: How to give City Council real teeth

Crain’s contributor Steve Hendershot talks with host Amy Guth about the latest entry of One City, 50 Wards. Plus: Bears' Naperville talks open the door to a fresh offer from Chicago, Giannoulias suing Coinbase for violating state securities law, Google to pay out $95 each to claimants in Illinois privacy settlement and Chicago chefs notch two wins at James Beard Awards.

06/06/23: Chicago Bears flirt with Naperville for new stadium site

Crain's reporter Danny Ecker talks with host Amy Guth about the latest news on the Chicago Bears' stadium development plans, as Naperville tries wooing the team, which says they’re no longer solely focused on building in Arlington Heights. Plus: Illinois EPA awards $12.6M to build initial wave of EV chargers, big data center deal brewing in Elk Grove Village, private credit firm lists big Wacker Drive sublease and airlines bask in sky-high summer fares while airports stay stuck.

06/05/23: Illinois tightens its leash on private health insurance

Crain's health care reporter Katherine Davis talks with host Amy Guth about new regulations put in place around the health insurance industry, including rules on pricing. Plus: Mayor Johnson names the city's top attorney, cheapest alternative to AbbVie's Humira will be at 85% discount, State Street landlord misses payments on $50 million mortgage and new figures show tourists flocked back to Chicago in 2022.

06/01/23: Chicago home prices stay solid, with one caveat

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin chats with host Amy Guth about local housing news, including how Chicago-area home prices have been steadier than those in most major U.S. cities in recent months, but the long-term trend since the dawn of the pandemic has been weaker here than in most other cities. Plus: BMO hints at broad layoffs as revenue growth lags cost increases, developers push ahead with nearly 300-unit housing project in Skokie, one of Chicago's fastest-growing...

05/31/23: Aldermen try again on outdoor dining

05/30/23: Starting the summer with an all-timer of a show

Check out Graham Meyer's Big Ticket column here.

05/25/23: In this market, even ho-hum homes draw scads of bids

Why are some ordinary houses getting an extraordinary number of offers? Crain's residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin and host Amy Guth discuss the latest local housing news. Plus: Marina City's retail space and the Hotel Chicago both hit the market; higher fares and bigger crowds await Americans vacationing abroad this summer; Walgreens settles claims with consumers over Theranos blood tests; and a big production studio campus is set to open on the Northwest Side early next year.

05/24/23: What's cooking in Northwestern's startup hub

Host Amy Guth checks in with Mike Raab, executive director of The Garage at Northwestern, about the university’s student startup competition Venturecat and chats with a few of the semifinalists. Plus: Federal Reserve survey says Midwest business outlook is still weak, Lettuce Entertain You named food partner for NASCAR Chicago event, Peoples Gas' $15 million customer refund could lead to an even bigger one and Graham Foundation reveals $560,000 grant recipients — including four Chicago artis...

05/23/22: Horizon merger hits perilous roadblock

Crain’s health care reporter Katherine Davis and host Amy Guth break down the ongoing saga around the Horizon-Amgen deal. Plus: "Compensation actually paid" varies widely on CEO compensation under new SEC rule, Google and IBM validate U of C's quantum ambitions, Apple Store in Lincoln Park hits the market and local food pantries see surge in demand as federal aid disappears.

05/22/23: The contrarian tycoon, Sam Zell

Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Alby Gallun joins host Amy Guth to discuss the recent death of billionaire real estate investor Sam Zell and the legacy he leaves behind. Plus: Peoples Gas customers are in line for a big refund, BP agrees to 'record-setting' $40 million fine over Whiting refinery emissions, Addison and Clark development next to Wrigley Field sells for a big loss and Peotone airport plan lasses legislature, but the outcome is uncertain.

05/18/23: Chicago's vacation home market is on fire

Crain's real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about news from the local housing market, including about the still-hot demand for vacation homes and the city’s plans for a long-fallow lot in Pilsen. Plus: Luxury hotel St. Regis Chicago changed owners just one day after opening, court rules against co-working giant Industrious in lawsuit over shuttered West Loop location, Jeep Cherokee owners warned to park outside citing fire risk and Johnson tours makeshift migrant shel...

5/17/23: What's first for Mayor Johnson?

Read Justin Laurence's reporting on Mayor Brandon Johnson's first day in office here.

05/16/23: Brandon Johnson takes over the fifth floor

Brandon Johnson was sworn in as the 57th mayor of Chicago. Plus: Crain’s reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about the newly opened Englewood Save-A-Lot, which was initially delayed after community pushback; Groupon terminating HQ lease early; Illinois Medicaid and SNAP beneficiaries' personal info leaked in data breach; and Kraft Heinz agrees to $450M settlement with shareholders over 2015 merge.

05/15/23: A new but familiar neuroscience startup in Evanston

Crain's health care reporter Katherine Davis talks with host Amy Guth about a biotech researcher opening a new lab in Evanston after a previous startup of his shut down. Plus: Chicago police receive more than 50 applicants for superintendent role, Groupon issues 'going concern' warning to investors, Lightfoot issues executive order on environmental justice and United climbs rankings for business and first-class travelers.

05/11/23: Chicago lags in key housing market stat

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin chats with host Amy Guth on news from the local market, including how people with mortgages in Chicago are not as house-rich as they are in other big metro areas. Plus: Lightfoot issues an emergency declaration over migrant surge, Illinois marijuana sales stalled in April, Sterling Bay CEO says Lincoln Yards is in talks for new financing and Shedd Aquarium will close for NASCAR race weekend.

05/10/23: Is the City Council the answer to Chicago's problems?

Crain’s contributor Steve Hendershot talks with host Amy Guth about how the City Council can lead the response to Chicago's most urgent challenges. Plus: Bally's plans to offer city residents stakes in Chicago casino, Byron Allen sues McDonald's over ad spending, Baxter to sell biopharma unit for $4.25 billion and a fight over Japan illustrates a bigger battle for United Airlines.

05/09/23: Johnson brings serious overhaul to City Council

Crain’s reporter Justin Laurence talks with host Amy Guth about how Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson is putting his stamp on City Council by way of a major committee shake-up. Plus: Sentencing dates set for the 'ComEd Four,' Biden to seek rules for airline benefits to stranded travelers, Rivian's first-quarter report to reflect lower sales due to factory downtime and what’s changing as the COVID emergency designation period comes to a close.

05/08/23: Portillo's eyes a path fast-food joints hesitate to go

Crain’s restaurants reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about Portillo’s mulling risky expansion options, the Labor Department fining three McDonald’s franchisees for violating child labor laws and more. Plus: Bally's and Tribune parent reportedly reach a deal to clear the way for casino, Baxter names CEO for planned kidney care spinoff, Chicago-based life sciences incubator raises $75 million for new cities and CTA is getting $200 million from the feds for new train cars.

05/04/23: A new house, fresh off the assembly line

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about new houses rolling out of one South Side plant. Plus: Tax assessor Fritz Kaegi moves to jack up Bears' Arlington Heights tax tab, Illinois near the top in U.S. in pot taxes collected, Chicago a 'bright spot' in nationwide hospital safety survey and why flights might get cheaper after a busy summer.

05/03/23: All ruled guilty in 'ComEd Four' trial

Follow the reporting of Steve Daniels here.

05/02/23: Struggling hospitals turn to Illinois for help

As hospitals and other health care providers continue to struggle with rising costs and other issues, industry groups headed to Springfield to urge legislation they say could help. Crain's health care reporter Katherine Davis discusses their push with host Amy Guth. Plus: It takes $172K to feel like you make $100K in Chicago, Brandon Johnson names John Roberson as city's incoming COO, Rivian's troubles don't end at a 93% stock price wipeout and JPMorgan to acquire failed regional bank First ...

05/01/23: Previewing May's must-see events

Crain's contributor Graham Meyer, who writes the weekly Big Ticket column, talks with host Amy Guth about can’t-miss arts and culture events in the month ahead. Plus: Illinois delegation asks Congress for $75M to pay for 2024 DNC, civilian oversight commission hires recruiting firm for new CPD chief search, big Fulton Market apartment project moves forward with $125 million loan and applicants for new weed licenses nearly triple thanks to rules overhaul.

04/27/23: Red tulips for empty, redlined lots

Crain's residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin and host Amy Guth recap local housing news, including a look at the latest data around home prices in Chicago and how 100,000 red tulips in Washington Park mark sites of redlining. Plus: Trump hotel poised for $1 million tax refund, Foxx announced she won’t seek another term as potential successors start to emerge, Lewis University and St. Augustine College to merge, Tinley Park concert venue renamed, and Jose Cuervo owner set to buy Wac...