Crain's Daily Gist
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.
New chapter in Chicago's parking meter saga
Chicago’s lucrative parking meter contract could be sold to New York-based Stonepeak Partners. Crain’s reporter Justin Laurence discusses with host Amy Guth.
Plus: Chicago quantum players share in $2B federal outlay, South Loop apartment tower near The 78 listed for sale, Deere shares tumble with farmers facing ‘ongoing challenges’ and Schlitz beer discontinued after 175 years.
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Battle lines drawn over Pritzker's housing plan
Crain’s reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about local housing news, including mayors taking sides on Gov. Pritzker's housing plan and a 1956 modernist home in La Grange Park for sale for the first time ever.
Plus: Blackstone Hotel sold at discount to local investor; Illinois joins suit arguing Trump loan caps threaten healthcare workforce; former Cboe CEO Ed Tilly exits top post at Wall Street brokerage; and McDonald’s won’t meet some emissions goals.
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Chicago flips the script on population growth
Crain’s reporter John Pletz talks with host Amy Guth about Census data showing how Chicago is eking out population growth while big-city rivals are shrinking.
Plus: Former John Hancock Center slated for luxury Marriott hotel, the parking meter deal Chicagoans love to hate is poised for another sale, Gene & Georgetti sues concessions operator over Midway Airport outpost and DraftKings reportedly closing sportsbook at Wrigley Field.
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Suburban apartment market heats up
Crain’s reporter Rachel Herzog talks with host Amy Guth about major suburban apartment trades, including an O’Hare-area complex that sold for $167 million in the year’s priciest deal and a $91M transaction for a property in Kane County.
Plus: Pritzker says Johnson’s Bears pitch is a non-starter, Spirit Airlines shutdown costs Chicago hundreds of jobs, most of Ford City Mall to shut down for safety concerns and Fitch trims University of Chicago credit rating amid debt load.
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Chicago Fire FC looks to raise its profile
Crain’s reporter Danny Ecker talks with host Amy Guth about what the McDonald’s and Chicago Fire FC naming rights deal means for the team's planned South Loop stadium.
Plus: Mayor Johnson pitches city takeover of stadium authority to keep Bears in Chicago, Trump administration’s fight with Jenner & Block zeroes in on security clearances, developers seek $50M TIF loan for Loop conversion to new W hotel and AI boom sends prices soaring on grid serving Illinois.
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Cook County takes a big hit in tax-sale fight
Crain’s reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about local housing news, including how Cook County could be forced to repay former homeowners millions of dollars in lost equity and how an Englewood renewal effort is taking a unique approach to reversing housing inequity.
Plus: McDonald’s and Chicago Fire strike naming rights deal for South Loop stadium, FDA’s approval of flavored e-cigarettes faces pushback in Illinois, River North hotel sells for $29M as downtown lodging values lag and CME to create futures market for computing power backing AI.
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Chicago restaurants facing another margin squeeze
Soaring beef prices have some Chicago restaurants in a bit of an existential crisis. Reporter Ally Marotti discusses with host Amy Guth.
Plus: Tax break for United Center’s 1901 Project advances despite pushback, former Walgreens office in Deerfield sold for a revamp, United Airlines sponsorship puts transportation secretary's side gig under scrutiny, and a mid-year outlook warns wealthy investors to brace for inflation, trade shocks and AI.
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Walgreens private equity takeover ripples through Chicago
Crain’s reporter Jon Asplund talks with host Amy Guth about local healthcare news, including how South Side Walgreens closures are fueling fears of more drugstore deserts.
Plus: DNC scouting party tours Chicago this week; law firm Hall Prangle jumps the Chicago River to a new office; Elmhurst apartments are sold to an Ohio pension fund for $85 million; and Skokie tech park buildings go up for sale as demand cools for life sciences space.
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Bears aren't alone in Springfield stadium jockeying
Mayor Brandon Johnson took the fight to keep the Bears in the city to Springfield just as talks for a Chicago Stars stadiumstart to heat up. Crain’s politics reporter Justin Laurence discusses with host Amy Guth.
Plus: Lincoln Yards TIF deal terminated as Foundry Park infrastructure questions loom, some CEOs warn consumers are "running out of money" and cutting back, U.S. appeals court sends back Illinois swipe fee law after federal regulators intervene and South Side Walgreens closures fuel fears of more pharmacy deserts.
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Chicago housing market's constricting supply
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin and host Amy Guth discuss the latest news from the local market, including how spring homebuyers have one-third the choices they had before the pandemic.
Plus: Kraft Heinz sees early payoff from $600 million brand bet, Medinah Temple owner mulls landmark’s post-casino future, Chicago Fed’s Goolsbee warns AI hype could fuel inflation and Ever manager accused of embezzling over $1 million files countersuit against the Michelin-starred restaurant.
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Keep the business talks going at these restaurants
Crain's reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about the best business dining spots for deal-making, catching up and wooing clients.
Plus: Office tower near Google’s Thompson Center poised to sell at steep discount, American Airlines’ pilots chief praises "bold vision" of United CEO’s merger pitch, Springfield gets some breathing room on state budget and California reportedly seeks penalties against State Farm over wildfire claims.
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Investors raise bet on downtown office recovery
Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Danny Ecker joins host Amy Guth to discuss the latest office deals around downtown, including a distressed loan for a West Monroe Street office tower that sold at steep discount, a West Coast tech firm eyeing a big expansion and more.
Plus: Purdue Pharma’s $7.4 billion opioid settlement begins, with Illinois in line to get nearly $150 million; BMO turns to AI and quantum computing to predict earthquakes; Gold Coast retail space leased to celebrity brand Skims up for sale; and Chicago’s top contractors see growth as big projects offset market headwi...
Employers' many healthcare headaches
Crain’s contributor Jon Asplund joins host Amy Guth to discuss the latest healthcare news, including a look at the state’s rising health costs are spiking and how employers are chipping away at swelling healthcare tabs.
Plus: State report says ICE misconduct in Chicago enabled by Trump officials, West Coast tech firm eyes big Chicago office expansion, Bank of America CEO eyes Chicago growth as commercial loans rise 15% and United announces FAA-mandated flight cuts at O’Hare.
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Chicago home market's display of strength
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about the latest local housing news, including how Chicago home prices rising at five times the speed of the nation’s.
Plus: IBM to hire 750 at Chicago’s quantum campus, Mondelez chief sees consumer confidence weakening on Iran war, Illinois proposes bill to pay striking workers and McKinsey moving Chicago office to Salesforce Tower.
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Chicago restaurants living second lives
Crain's reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about Chicago restaurants that are launching second acts in the city and four local bars ranked among North America’s best.
Plus: St. Regis Chicago hotel owners land a big new loan, appellate court upholds Madigan’s conviction on corruption charges, Chicago Skyway’s Australian owner fields takeover bid and mid-market investment bank Lincoln International files for IPO.
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Massive overhaul for Mag Mile fixture
The owner of Water Tower Place is launching a $170 million makeover of the Mag Mile mall. Crain’s reporter Rachel Herzog discusses with host Amy Guth.
Plus: United CEO lays out the case for the American deal that never was, ABA settles lawsuit claiming minority scholarship fund was discriminatory, U.S. taps Kirkland & Ellis for advice on Spirit Airlines rescue and AbbVie’s move to revitalize Botox demand stymied by FDA questions.
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Chicago's grocery store surge
Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Rachel Herzog talks with host Amy Guth about two brands' plans for new Mag Mile spots and what’s driving the latest wave of grocery chain expansion in Chicago.
Plus: Pritzker pushes speed on Bears tax package but predicts changes ahead; Morningstar eyes Google’s Thompson Center revamp for potential new HQ, Claire’s is moving its HQ to distressed Rosemont office building and an executive in $15 million Loretto Hospital embezzlement case pleads not guilty and released on bond.
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'Zombie mortgages' awaken around Chicago
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to discuss the latest from the local housing market, including how the mortgage crisis of the early 2000s is coming back to haunt Chicago-area homeowners.
Plus: Illinois lawmakers push Bears stadium plan tied to tax overhaul, American gains O’Hare gates as United loses ground, West Suburban property owner sues to take control of troubled hospital and River North offices put up for sale after $35 million redevelopment plan scrapped.
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Chicago's 100 biggest private companies
This year's list of Chicago’s largest private companies has a newcomer near the top. Crain’s researcher David Nusbaum discusses with host Amy Guth.
Plus: New details on Ishbia-Amtrak land deal as Sox future takes shape, Loop office tower owner hit with $223 million foreclosure lawsuit, Baird raises $450 million amid sluggish private equity environment and Trump pans United-American merger while pushing for a Spirit buyer.
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Momentum building for downtown apartments
A Fulton Market apartment project landed a $102 million construction loan, among Chicago’s largest in years. Crain’s Rachel Herzog talks with host Amy Guth about the companies involved and the apartment project loan landscape.
Plus: Huron Consulting shrinks West Loop HQ as downtown office attrition persists, AbbVie signs $745 million deal to develop pain medicines from Chinese drugmaker, judge puts WGN parent’s merger plans on hold until final court ruling and feds crack down on Federal Savings Bank over misleading ads for VA loans.
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A potential seismic event for O'Hare
Crain’s airlines reporter John Pletz talks with host Amy Guth about what Chicago stands to lose in potential United-American merger.
Plus: Illinois to get $50 million in Jewel-Osco parent’s $774 million opioid settlement, Golub recapitalizes Century Tower in $65 million deal, West Coast fintech company plans big River North office and Whole Foods to open new store in Lakeview.
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After surprise hospital shutdown, a sudden reopening
West Suburban Medical Center began reopening under pressure after surprise shutdown as Springfield weighs tougher rules on hospital closures. Crain’s contributor Jon Asplund talks with host Amy Guth about the medical center and other local hospital headwinds.
Plus: Former ComEd CEO and lobbyist granted new trials in Madigan bribery case, Thoma Bravo signs multiyear deal with Google for AI adoption, logistics firm RJW extends suburban warehouse leasing tear and city seeks to shut down Ford City Mall over ‘imminent’ health and safety threat.
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Office-to-apartments deals build momentum
Residential conversions are gaining steam around downtown with the sale of two office buildings. Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Rachel Herzog discusses with host Amy Guth.
Plus: United Airlines CEO has pitched a possible tie-up with rival American, Conagra’s new CEO faces a pricing bind with no clear fix, New York firm bets on downtown office revival with deal for distressed Loop tower and Jesse Jackson’s son picked to lead Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
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Pritzker wants data centers to cover their power tab
Gov. JB Pritzker joined a coalition of governors urging the operator of the power grid in Illinois and other a dozen other states to force data centers to pay up. Crain’s reporter John Pletz discusses the push to shield consumers from rising electricity costs with host Amy Guth.
Plus: Conagra CEO Connolly is out after 60% stock slide, Abbott hit with $70 million verdict in Chicago infant-formula trial, Pritzker says DHS threat over O’Hare customs will hurt economy and housing advocates sue to undo CHA leadership pick.
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The biggest Mag Mile lease since 2015
Crain’s reporter Rachel Herzog talks with host Amy Guth about local commercial real estate news, including the Candy Hall of Fame coming the Mag Mile.
Plus: Mayor Johnson reshuffles key safety and transportation posts amid staff churn, Madigan’s high-powered appeals team urges 7th Circuit to overturn speaker’s conviction, AbbVie suing feds over 340B provider audits and Quigley bill aims to speed up pipeline of new homes.
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Highland Park's biggest batch of new homes in decades
Crain's residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to talk news from the local housing market, including the more than 200 for-sale homes coming to Highland Park’s long-empty Solo Cup factory site.
Plus: Proposed $55 million tax break for United Center’s 1901 Project hits a speed bump, Chicago startups eye long-awaited exits as IPO market warms up, Starbucks and 7-Eleven expansion planned for Chicago-based overnight oats maker and lawsuit against Evanston’s reparations program gets judge’s OK to move forward.
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Michelin-starred chefs want to open a neighborhood bar
Crain's restaurants reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about the latest from Chicago's dining scene, including some notable openings, expansion plans for Mediterranean chain Roti and this year’s local James Beard Award finalists.
Plus: New DHS chief floats crackdown on sanctuary city airports, including O’Hare; Chicago options clearing hub fuels clash between Goldman, Citadel and retail brokers; investors pay $61 million for Lombard apartment complex and a hedge fund signs deal for new Chicago office at BMO Tower.
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What brought down West Suburban Medical Center
Crain’s contributor Jon Asplund talks with host Amy Guth about the latest health care news, including West Suburban’s sudden closure and Walgreens’ private equity owner plans to double the pharmacy chain’s profits.
Plus: Downtown office vacancy sets another record while top space tightens, Chicago’s Madison Air seeks to raise $2.23B in IPO, fund founded by Pritzkers inks private credit deal for PLZ and downtown office vacancy sets another record while top space tightens and Court ruling could slash payouts in Illinois biometric privacy lawsuits.
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Johnson's struggle with CHA leadership
Crain’s politics reporter Justin Laurence and host Amy Guth discuss the latest on the Bears stadium saga, with the park district pushing for a $630 million Museum Campus overhaul, and Mayor Brandon Johnson’s effort to oust the acting CHA leader.
Plus: ABA backs Jenner & Block in fight with Trump administration, CFTC sues Illinois and other states over prediction markets rules, Oak Park apartments trade for $23 million and United raising bag fees as fuel prices soar.
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For Michael Jordan estate owner, setback after setback
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to talk news from the local housing market, including the latest on the saga of the former Michael Jordan estate and relief for Chicago-area homebuyers that comes with a caveat.
Plus: Goodell presses Bears as Illinois, Indiana await stadium call; Rivian bike spinoff lands $1 billion valuation and DoorDash partnership; office landlord faces another hit in Evanston after Fulton Market setback; and Mondelez and Radio Flyer among 70 Illinois companies suing Trump for tariff refunds.
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AI's massive water usage raising alarms
Plans for AI data centers are raising concerns about the long-term health of the Great Lakes region's most critical natural resource. Crain’s contributor Steve Hendershot discusses with host Amy Guth.
Plus: Government still dominates as largest employer in Chicago for 2026, university funding overhaul bill advances in House despite U of I opposition, Sofitel Chicago goes up for sale and three Chicago chefs named James Beard Award finalists
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Cook County property tax hikes outpace inflation
Cook County property taxes have grown at more than double the inflation rate since 1995. Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Rachel Herzog discusses with host Amy Guth.
Plus: Jenner & Block fires back at Trump administration in executive order appeal, Chicago-based benefits administrator Alight risks NYSE delisting after stock plunges below $1, Trader Joe’s advances on possible Uptown store and public-private Illinois abortion fund gives out its first $1 million.
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Apartment landlords push to sell despite headwinds
Crain’s reporter Rachel Herzog joins host Amy Guth to discuss the latest commercial real estate news, including a Streeterville mid-rise office building that could go residential as well as apartment towers hitting the market in River North, Gold Coast and Uptown.
Plus: JetBlue reportedly exploring sale to United; Ariel names new president as Hobson and Rogers relinquish parts of their portfolios; CME and Bank of Montreal team up to launch tokenized cash service; and West Suburban blames billing system failure as officials air frustration over closure.
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Ken Griffin isn't done selling Chicago portfolio yet
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth about to talk the latest local housing news, including Ken Griffin’s last Chicago condo going back up for sale, a divisive push to preserve west Lakeview greystones and more.
Plus: Commercial landlords avoid penalties amid Cook County’s twice-delayed property tax sale, United Airlines warns of 20% fare hike to cope with oil surge, Mars to add 600 jobs and invest $100 million in Chicago operation and a South Loop developer lands $83 million construction loan for long-planned Riverline project.
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For Illinois, a huge congressional turnover
Sen. Dick Durbin’s retirement will reduce Illinois’ clout in D.C. Crain’s reporter John Pletz discusses with host Amy Guth.
Plus: Supreme Court justices signal skepticism of post-Election Day mail ballot deadlines, including Illinois’; Fed’s Goolsbee says he could see circumstances for rate hike; Uber to invest up to $1.25 billion in Rivian in robotaxi bet; and Uncommon Ground seeks new operator as longtime Wrigleyville restaurateurs plan to retire.
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Landlords show cautious optimism after Hynes' assessor win
Some investors see Patrick Hynes' primary win over incumbent Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi as a chance to rebuild Chicago's real estate cred. Crain’s reporter Danny Ecker talks with host Amy Guth about the election news and the new City Council-approved downtown hotel surcharge.
Plus: CTA sues Trump administration over frozen Red Line extension funds; Johnson proposes $55 million tax break for Bulls, Blackhawks 1901 development; legal data firm Relativity confidentially files for IPO; and Illinois House approves bill giving regulators power to reject insurance rate hikes.
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Sox owner-to-be lines up possible stadium site
Justin Ishbia is set to buy a massive South Loop rail yard for a potential White Sox stadium site. Crain’s reporters Danny Ecker and Justin Laurence discuss with host Amy Guth.
Plus: Amazon wants to eat Costco’s lunch in Chicago’s suburbs, United CEO games out "higher for longer" oil prices, Motorola rival ordered to pay $50 million fine for stealing trade secrets and Illinois high court finds employers could be on the hook for time worked outside normal hours
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The typical Chicago homeowner is getting older
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about news from the local housing market, including the rising age of the average homeowner in Chicago.
Plus: Justin Ishbia set to buy massive South Loop rail yard for potential White Sox stadium, a roundup of the state’s high-stakes primary night, BP’s union worker lockout plan and a New York investor pays $77 million for River North apartments.
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Blue Cross Illinois, Prime Healthcare locked in contract dispute
Crain’s contributing reporter Jon Asplund joins host Amy Guth to discuss the latest local health care news, including Baxter's new CEO getting a cool $29.8 million pay package in 2025, eight Chicago-area hospitals that could soon exit Blue Cross's network and local surgical center rankings.
Plus: FAA seeks deeper-than-expected flight cuts at O’Hare, federal railroad agency eyes HQ move to LaSalle Street, Signature Bank acquired by New York-based Esquire for $348.4 million and Morningstar inks $5M tech partnership with U of I to secure talent pipeline.
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New restaurant options on Chicago riverfront
With a new dining spot opening under Chicago Cut and Levy’s planning a major event space makeover, Crain's restaurants reporter Ally Marotti joins Amy Guth to talk the latest dining news around the riverfront.
Plus: Tech giants sue Chicago over social media tax, calling it unconstitutional; airline CEOs urge Congress to end shutdown standoff as TSA lines grow; developer Mike Reschke plans Burnham Center office-to-hotel conversion; and Trump tariffs have cost automakers at least $35 billion since 2025.
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