Published by Crain's Chicago Business
Get a head start on your workday with the stories that matter most. Listen to our roundup of essential Chicago headlines and analysis from Crain’s reporters and host Amy Guth.
Listen on Apple Podcasts38 min
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to discuss the latest local housing news, including Illinois' rank near the bottom on building new housing. Plus: Portillo’s taps Olive Garden exec as CFO in leadership reboot, Kraft Heinz turnaround progress leaves investors wanting more, Adams Street Partners moving HQ to West Loop riverfront building and ADM raises 2026 outlook as biofuels drive growth. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
20 min
The owner of NBC Tower plans to convert part of the building to hundreds of apartments . Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Danny Ecker discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Johnson loses budget director days after CFO exit, Illinois joins 24 other states in suit challenging Trump’s latest tariffs, AbbVie seeks at least $8 billion in debt to fund Apogee deal and McDonald’s replaces U.S. president in slow-growth shakeup. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
19 min
A Chicago investor got a discount for Palmolive Building retail space in a deal that illustrates the Mag Mile's fallen property values. Crain’s reporter Rachel Herzog discusses the trade, and other commercial real estate news, with host Amy Guth. Plus: Alexi Giannoulias kicks off mayoral run with pledge to raise the minimum wage, trading firm eyes expansion and a move to Fulton Market, Sterling Bay and a JPMorgan fund get $213 million refi for Fulton Market office tower and alcohol distributor Republic National cutting nearly 300 jobs in Illinois. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
23 min
Amid the nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak, Chicago restaurant operators are switching suppliers and remixing menus. Crain's restaurants reporter Ally Marotti discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Illinois Tech to lay off 160 as enrollment and financial struggles force restructure; push to sideline Mayor Johnson from picking new police chief draws mixed response; Streeterville garage listing tests market for downtown parking; and Senators Durbin and Duckworth ask FAA to justify decision to limit O’Hare flights. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
39 min
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about local housing news, including what the latest round of data says about the market. Plus: Grant Thornton to acquire CBIZ for $5 billion, Chicago’s acting CFO exits ahead of Johnson’s next budget showdown, CME plans futures tied to sports to be used as new hedging tool and Northwestern lands $20 million for first publicly accessible AI-powered protein lab in U.S. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
24 min
Big campaign money for Alexi Giannoulias is reshaping the Chicago mayoral race before he’s even entered it. Crain’s politics reporter Justin Laurence discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: U of I launches search for next president at one of Illinois’ most important engines, CME’s debut of 24/7 gold futures trading met with strong demand, nine Illinois communities say they’re interested in new nuclear facilities, and crime continues historic decline as homicide rates approach century lows. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
18 min
Chicago safety-net hospitals are searching for a lifeline as their funding crisis deepens. Crain’s healthcare reporter Jon Asplund talks with host Amy Guth about Roseland Hospital's request for state aid and Weiss Memorial’s extension against possible closure. Plus: Trump administration reveals energy grant cuts targeted blue states, Jewel parent cuts forecast amid soft grocery demand, United reportedly quietly pursued a merger with Delta last year and a court approves $90 million Hawthorne Race Course sale, ending Chicago-area racing. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
20 min
The Alinea Group is launching a limited-time restaurant in one of Chicago’s most storied fine-dining addresses: the former home of the famed Charlie Trotter’s. Crain's restaurants reporter Ally Marotti discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Chicago-area warehouse vacancy inches up as companies shed space, United suspends 10 new routes to small cities from O’Hare, Trump’s 100% generic drug duty threatens U.S. low-cost supply and crypto lobby sues Illinois to block new digital asset tax. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
43 min
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin and host Amy Guth discuss the latest from the local housing market, including locals putting dibs on new houses in an Elk Grove Village lottery and more. Plus: MHub is planning a massive West Side campus bigger than The 78; Northwestern’s $121 million settlement tab reportedly spanned Fitz, football and Trump; power grid serving northern Illinois faces breakup risk as feds weigh fate; and Roseland Hospital seeks emergency state aid to keep doors open. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
18 min
Logan Square tenants have sued their landlord in the first case under an anti-gentrification ordinance. Crain’s commericial real estate reporter Rachel Herzog discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Illinois cannabis demand grows despite falling prices; Chicago developer buys River North office building for conversion that would add two stories; Save A Lot ending deal with Yellow Banana, putting seven Chicago stores at risk of closing; and Illinois-led quantum effort lands $30 million in federal funding. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
23 min
O’Hare airport's passenger numbers rebounded last year , but its rivals also made gains. Crain’s airlines reporter John Pletz discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Feds subpoena Chicago law firms in Trump’s fight with ABA, Shore Capital unloads veterinary real estate portfolio for $268 million, AbbVie’s Allergan gets European nod for its Botox-lite treatment and more lawyers join Resilience legal scrum, delaying settlement and West Suburban reopening. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
27 min
A $425 million TIF deal for The 78 mega-development and Chicago Fire FC stadium infrastructure got key committee approval . Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Danny Ecker discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Chicago eyes layoffs as Johnson and alders spar over potential $89 million budget shortfall, United will use bigger planes at O’Hare to cope with FAA flight caps, Vintage East Loop office tower sold for conversion to apartments and Amazon nears deal for vertical warehouse next to Goose Island. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
42 min
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to talk the latest local housing news, including how Chicago’s high-end home sales are hot at mid-year but nothing like 2025. Plus: AI bumps power cost 60% as Chicago’s grid fails to hit supply goal, Chicago’s tallest rental tower lands $332 million refinancing, Midway’s private-aviation facilities are getting a $100 million-plus makeover and the James Beard Awards team is seeking its next host city after more than a decade in Chicago. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
21 min
Chicago-area mutual aid groups have stepped in to fill gaps left by institutions. Crain's assistant managing editor Cassandra West talks with host Amy Guth about the focus of this month’s Crain's Elevate series. Plus: Council committee punts parking meter vote as buyout fight takes another twist, Indiana gives $3.4 million in incentives for True Value HQ, Allstate taps new CFO from CoStar amid management shakeup and CPS lays off 162 employees as it works to close budget deficit for 2026-27 school year. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
23 min
Crain’s healthcare reporter Jon Asplund joins host Amy Guth to discuss Illinois ACA insurers' proposed double-digit rate hikes for 2027, along with a labor dispute between unionized UI Health’ clinicians and the hospital. Plus: West Loop TIF funds to back infrastructure around Chicago Fire FC stadium, Johnson moves to reclaim control of rogue CHA board, River North rental tower trades for $119 million amid apartment deal surge and FAA extends flight limits at O’Hare. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
17 min
A judge enforced Illinois' distance rule for cannabis shops, dealing a blow to a planned South Loop dispensary. Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Rachel Herzog discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: True Value’s HQ is moving to Indiana, AI firms’ office demand seen spreading to Chicago, investor looks to cash out on Trader Joe’s-anchored North Side retail portfolio and Mayor Johnson reveals why City Hall abandoned its $3.2 billion bid for parking meters. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
37 min
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin and host Amy Guth discuss the latest local housing news, including the latest hit for the downtown condo market and Chicago-area homes that are selling fast. Plus: Downtown office vacancy dips for first time since 2022, Shore Capital buys employee benefits firm in healthcare push, Mayor Johnson picks Rush exec as next public health chief and airlines hit with soaring fuel bills amid Mideast conflict. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
18 min
Resilience Healthcare's lawyers have dropped out amid a settlement dispute with the failed health system and Prime Healthcare maintenance workers averted a strike after ratifying contracts. Crain’s healthcare reporter Jon Asplund discusses the latest hospital news with host Amy Guth. Plus: Pritzker signs landmark AI regulation bill that aims to mitigate risks, Hub International seeks $3 billion in IPO, Lincoln Park apartment high-rise sold for $125 million and with federal funding back, Planned Parenthood of Illinois preps for its next battle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
23 min
A judge dismissed Edgewater residents' lawsuit to overturn Broadway's rezoning . Crain’s commercial real reporter Rachel Herzog talks with host Amy Guth about what’s next for the neighborhood. Plus: Developer withdraws rezoning request for controversial Hoffman Estates data center, office building near Fulton Market trades at a major discount, Northwestern plans $275 million facility do-over in Orland Park amid cancer care race and AbbVie faces federal probe over drug trials in China. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
22 min
From Roman pizza to New York bagels , Crain's restaurants reporter Ally Marotti and host Amy Guth discuss some of the fresh faces in Chicago's dining scene. Plus: Larry Snelling is retiring as Chicago’s top cop, lawsuit threatening $184 million Loop office conversion gains traction, Rivian boosts delivery outlook as EV sales top estimates and strip mall near Foundry Park development site trades for $18 million. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.