Episodes
Pushback has likely stopped Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposed alcohol tax hike in its tracks. Crain's restaurants reporter Ally Marotti joins host Amy Guth to discuss that and more from Chicago's hospitality scene, including the wine world bracing for possible Trump tariffs. Plus: City panel OKs South Works quantum campus, Deere shares gain on optimism farm gloom will lift in 2025, Medline reportedly could raise $5B in a 2025 IPO and McDonald's targets choosy diners with value menu revamp.
Published 11/22/24
Published 11/22/24
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin and host Amy Guth chat about news from the local housing market, including the city’s delay on enforcing a new anti-gentrification ordinance. Plus: S&P warns it may downgrade Chicago's credit rating amid budget fight, Sam Zell estate puts riverfront office building up for sale, boaters will finally be able to dock at Navy Pier next year and CBRE nearing deal for new Chicago office.
Published 11/20/24
Chicago Fire FC owner Joe Mansueto is on the verge of a deal for a new downtown stadium site. Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Danny Ecker and host Amy Guth discuss where the club is looking and other Chicago sports teams in search of new homes. Plus: Friends of the Parks takes aim at South Works quantum plan, ADM restates earnings in latest step to fix accounting issues, a vintage Gold Coast apartment tower trades for $26 million and Chicago hotel owners take issue with Cook County...
Published 11/19/24
Crain's restaurants reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about Midwestern wine production and one maker's mission to boost its popularity. Plus: UI Health nurses end strike and agree to tentative contract, Ragu sauce maker moving HQ to Schaumburg, Chicago Fed chief Austan Goolsbee says "rates will be a lot lower" in 12 to 18 months and law firm nears deal for move to Wacker Drive.
Published 11/18/24
The City Council unanimously rejected Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed $300 million property tax hike. Crain’s politics reporter Justin Laurence talks with host Amy Guth about the unprecedented action and the work ahead to balance the city’s budget. Plus: Loop landlords pitch taxing themselves to boost ailing downtown, more hospitalizations and infections reported in E. coli outbreak linked to slivered onions served by McDonald’s, Chicago Sports Network launches direct-to-consumer streaming...
Published 11/15/24
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin discusses news from the local housing market with host Amy Guth, including the National Association of Realtors’ new standards for conduct after last year's sexual harassment scandal. Plus: Grubhub sold at steep discount from its peak during the pandemic, UI Health nurses begin open-ended strike, Art Institute of Chicago taps Eric Lefkofsky as board chair and just one Chicagoan made a list of the 100 most powerful people in business.
Published 11/13/24
The Bears are reconsidering the former Michael Reese hospital site for a new stadium. Crain’s politics reporter Justin Laurence discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: A West Loop office developer defies ugly market with new debt, Pitchfork Music Festival’s Chicago exit, the city’s largest accounting firms see decreasing headcounts among major players and why Chicago's in the race to be a leader in eco-friendly jet fuel.
Published 11/12/24
With open enrollment underway, Illinois' insurance agency is in the midst of establishing a state-based health insurance exchange it says could help fill coverage gaps and lower plan costs. Crain’s health care reporter Katherine Davis discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Vizient bulks up at Old Post Office while Uber shrinks, Portillo's appears to be heeding its activist investor's advice, AbbVie tumbles after new schizophrenia drug fails trials, Baxter cuts guidance on hurricane-related...
Published 11/11/24
Cook County assessor Fritz Kaegi reassesses the Loop, completing the city assessment cycle. Danny Ecker discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: A majority of City Council wants to vote down $300 million property tax hike, the Fed cuts interest rates for 2nd-straight meeting to support economy, LaSalle Street redevelopment set for $98 million TIF subsidy and Lincoln Square residents vote to end century-old booze ban.
Published 11/08/24
Crain’s political columnist Greg Hinz joins host Amy Guth to analyze election results and what they likely mean for Chicago and Illinois. Plus: Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin discusses local housing market news, Walgreens agrees to pay $100 million to settle drug overcharging claims, Discover brings on new legal chief amid Capital One merger review, NielsenIQ considers an IPO at a valuation close to $10 billion and cannabis stocks wilt after Florida legalization fails.
Published 11/06/24
A lawsuit from the banking industry argues an Illinois credit card swipe fee law interferes with a federal law granting banks leeway on the charges they issue. Crain’s finance reporter Mark Weinraub discusses the case with host Amy Guth. Plus: Choose Chicago eyes extra downtown hotel charge to boost budget, Tempus buying genetics lab company for $600 million, organizers say out-of-towners flocked to Lolla and boosted Chicago's gains this year and court documents claim Motorola was hacked by...
Published 11/05/24
Crain's retail reporter Ally Marotti joins host Amy Guth to discuss how Chicago hardware retailer True Value went bankrupt. Plus: Brandon Johnson says he was in the dark on CPS board pick's comments because of a vetting "gap," riverfront office tower owner hit with one of the city’s biggest foreclosure suits ever, Shore Capital in talks over $8.6 billion pet-care deal, child care has gotten more affordable in Chicago and United eyes record year as traders pile back into airline stocks.
Published 11/04/24
With the mayor's $17.3 billion budget unveiled, Crain’s politics reporter Justin Laurence and host Amy Guth break down its contents and challenges he will face getting it through the City Council. Plus: Google reveals plans for revamped Thompson Center atrium, Chicago school board president resigns at Johnson's request, Cubs and feds settle Wrigley Field accessibility lawsuit and a sign development site prices may be tipping downward in Fulton Market.
Published 11/01/24
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to read the tea leaves in the latest batch of Chicago housing market data. Plus: Mayor Brandon Johnson proposes $17.3 billion budget with $300 million property tax hike, city panel OKs signage changes for Mag Mile and State Street, new study finds Peoples Gas pipeline program to cost another $12.8 billion and AbbVie lifts profit outlook as anti-inflammatory drugs Rinvoq and Skyrizi beat estimates
Published 10/30/24
Crain's media reporter Pawan Naidu joins host Amy Guth to discuss Chicago Sports Network’s deal with streaming service Fubo. Plus: Walgreens lays off 250 workers in latest round of cuts; Boeing raises $21 billion in capital to repair balance sheet; Stephanie Izard and Boka are planning a Northern California restaurant; community activists aren't sold on quantum park's promises just yet; and Pepsi closes South Side plant without warning, leaving at least 79 workers without jobs.
Published 10/29/24
Crain’s restaurants reporter Brandon Dupré talks with host Amy Guth about McDonald’s race to contain fallout from the recent E. coli outbreak. Plus: New CPS board president won't say if board will fire CEO, massive Wacker Drive tenant isn't cutting back on office space, Ascension and Prime delay review for $375M hospital sale and New York antitrust probe could slow down Capital One-Discover deal.
Published 10/28/24
Advocates are pushing for Mayor Brandon Johnson to put millions more into Chicago's public health efforts. A $1 billion budget shortfall and fiscal cliff at CDPH complicate matters. Crain’s health care reporter Katherine Davis discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: CTU wants Pritzker to take another stab at the graduated income tax, serious injuries show dangers at Rivian's factory, True Value weighs laying off almost half its workforce as company seeks sale, Google opening its first Midwest...
Published 10/25/24
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about news from the local housing market, including another Ken Griffin property sale, Hinsdale’s anti-teardown program and more. Plus: City Council approves $1.5 billion bond plan to refinance debt as budget deficit looms, Walgreens is moving on from VillageMD, Vistria Group to convert California apartment complex into affordable housing and DePaul gets $2.6 million donation to create a new business tech institute.
Published 10/23/24
One restaurant in Lincoln Square is leading the charge to end a three-block dry zone. Crain’s restaurants reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about the push to end an ordinance that predates Prohibition. Plus: Mayor Brandon Johnson loses top education adviser amid the upheaval at the Chicago Board of Education, Huntington Bank is closing six of its Chicago-area branches, Canada’s Manulife Financial is looking to cash out of the 409-unit Hancock Square apartments in Arlington...
Published 10/22/24
Walgreens is closing stores and bleeding cash, but the new CEO insists the company is hitting long-term marks. Crain’s health care reporter Katherine Davis talks about the Deerfield-based company with host Amy Guth. Plus: Sterling Bay puts bioscience center near Lincoln Yards up for sale, Boeing union presents new proposal that would end strike to members, Gold Coast apartment building trades for $85 million and a lawsuit alleges Moderna appropriated Northwestern research for its COVID vaccine.
Published 10/21/24
The University of Illinois is pulling the plug on its Discovery Partners Institute at The 78. Crain’s reporters Danny Ecker and John Pletz discuss with host Amy Guth. Plus: United ignites surge in airline stocks, JB and MK Pritzker gave $5.6 million to put on DNC, feds begin airlifting Baxter medical supplies to curb shortage and Chicago-area grocery stores now have DMV kiosks.
Published 10/18/24
City Hall may have disqualified itself from getting millions in federal housing dollars. Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth news to discuss that and other news from the market. Plus: Abbott Labs board OKs $7 billion stock buyback program, United rebounds from price-cut pressure and authorizes $1.5 billion share buyback, Boeing judge seeks more information before plea deal ruling and after three slow years, dealmakers expect to see plenty of M&A...
Published 10/16/24
Crain’s health care reporters Katherine Davis and Jon Asplund talk with host Amy Guth about how Chicago-area hospitals are coping with dwindling supply levels of IV fluid after Hurricane Helene halted production at a North Carolina Baxter plant. Plus: Walgreens is closing stores and bleeding cash, but new CEO insists it's hitting long-term marks; Blue Cross antitrust lawsuit reaches $2.8B tentative settlement; True Value files for bankruptcy to sell itself to rival Do It Best; and Adams...
Published 10/15/24
The members-only Astor Club now touts its own Michelin-starred chef. Crain's restaurants reporter Ally Marotti discusses the reimagining of the former Maxim’s space with host Amy Guth. Plus: Boeing to cut workforce by 10% as strike eats into reserves, former Loretto CEO indicted on corruption and embezzlement charges, distressed Rosemont office complex hits the market and Chicago Fed chief praises progress on inflation and labor market.
Published 10/14/24