DuPage Business Beat

Attracting and retaining young talent can be a challenge for employers. In this episode, Greg Bedalov sits down with Laura Batterberry of Wight & Company and Phil Hardy of Benedictine University to examine what today’s emerging workforce expects and how businesses can adapt.

They discuss shifting priorities among young talent, the impact of the pandemic on soft skills, and how technology has changed the way students learn and engage. Greg and his guests also explore the importance of early exposure to real work environments and stronger partnerships between employers and universities.

The conversation looks at wh...

In DuPage, office vacancies remain elevated while industrial demand and data centers reshape the market.

In this episode of DuPage Business Beat, host Greg Bedalov sits down with Jim Adler and Mark Moran, Executive Vice Presidents at NAI Hiffman, to discuss what is happening across Chicagoland’s commercial real estate market. Suburban offices continue to face high vacancy and limited new investment, while industrial properties remain comparatively stable. Growing demand for data centers, driven by AI growth and power availability, is influencing new development decisions across the region.

Greg and his guests dive in and di...

In the years following WWII, about 49% of military veterans started their own business. For today’s veterans, that number has fallen to about 5-7%.

What changed? Why the disparity? How does it impact today’s veterans? And most importantly, how can the community come together to change the status quo and put veterans back in business?

On this episode, host Greg Bedalov joins two leaders from the Veteran Business Project to explore how they’re opening doors for veterans—and what we can all do to help.

Special Guests

What happens when we come together to change our world for the better? How can we help nonprofits expand their capacity and prepare for the future? And what are local organizations and individuals doing to make a difference right here in their own backyard?

This week, our podcast host Greg Bedalov joins three community leaders – representing the public, private, and nonprofit sectors – to explore how they’re creating lasting change through collective impact.

Special Guests

On this episode, host Greg Bedalov joins four members of the “Century Club”—leaders of local family businesses that have been in operation for over 100 years.

What does it take to keep a family business going for decades? How have they adapted to new technologies and changing times? And what can other leaders learn from their stories?

Find out on this special episode of the DuPage Business Beat.

Special Guests

From flying combat missions as an Air Force pilot to founding Calamos Investments and Calamos Real Estate, John P. Calamos, Sr. has lived a life founded on leadership, service, and an ability to focus deeply.

Today, his businesses employ hundreds of DuPage County residents and are responsible for some of the region’s most iconic landmarks, including CityGate Centre in Naperville. Beyond his own businesses, John is a prolific philanthropist and a powerful voice of the community.

On this episode, our podcast host Greg Bedalov joins Calamos to discuss his new biography, The Sky’s the...

For the first time in 27 years, the Global Botanic Gardens Congress is returning to North America—and it’s coming right here to Chicagoland.

Scheduled for summer 2027, the “Olympics of Conservation” brings together researchers and delegates from around the world to share, discuss, and amplify the work of botanic gardens. As communities face ecological challenges ranging from invasive species to climate change, the 2027 Congress will focus on restoring ecosystems.

Two Chicagoland institutions have been selected to host: The Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Botanic Garden. On today’s podcast, host Greg Bedalov joins two leaders of these o...

For the first time in 27 years, the Global Botanic Gardens Congress is returning to North America—and it’s coming right here to Chicagoland.

Scheduled for summer 2027, the “Olympics of Conservation” brings together researchers and delegates from around the world to share, discuss, and amplify the work of botanic gardens. As communities face ecological challenges ranging from invasive species to climate change, the 2027 Congress will focus on restoring ecosystems.

Two Chicagoland institutions have been selected to host: The Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Botanic Garden. On today’s podcast, host Greg Bedalov joins two leaders of these o...

It’s no secret that we live in a politically polarized world. But there’s one thing that most business leaders agree on: When an economy grows and thrives, so do the people, businesses, and communities within it.

On this episode, host Greg Bedalov joins two leaders from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce to discuss the big picture of the state’s economy—plus the details that make a difference.

Tune in to get their perspectives on which sectors have the most growth potential, what small-business owners really want, and how the Chamber is building bridges...

Across the United States, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and other issues related to mental health are on the rise. While these issues affect individuals directly, they also impact entire communities—and solving them requires community-wide solutions.

On this episode, host Greg Bedalov joins a pair of special guests to discuss the DuPage County Health Department’s new Crisis Recovery Center, a facility that will help individuals and families get the care they need, when they need it—while reducing the burden on local emergency rooms and law enforcement.

Special Guests

We live in a world of continuous change. For educators, that creates an imposing challenge: How do you prepare the next generation for their careers when you don’t necessarily know what those careers will be?

On this episode, host Greg Bedalov joins a panel of local higher education experts to explore how they’re teaching students to be resilient, flexible, and ready for whatever’s next.

Special Guests

From urgent housing needs to the rapid growth of e-commerce, communities everywhere are under tremendous pressure to rethink and reuse existing spaces. On this episode, host Greg Bedalov sits down with two local leaders to discuss how their communities are adapting.

Special Guests

Dive Deeper

Host Greg Bedalov joins a pair of talent placement experts to break down Chicagoland’s approach to one of America’s toughest challenges: the workforce.

How can we close the gap between good talent and great job opportunities? How are people with disabilities making a difference at local businesses? And how is recent legislation impacting local workforce organizations like workNet DuPage and Parents Alliance?

Find out on this episode of the DuPage Business Beat.

Special Guests

Host Greg Bedalov joins two guests from Illinois’ economic development organization, Intersect Illinois, to discuss our biggest challenges and opportunities – and how their organization is addressing them now.

Special Guests

Dive Deeper

Host Greg Bedalov sits down with Illinois Congressman Bill Foster, congress’ only PhD physicist, for a sweeping conversation on AI, economics and more.

Why do smarter algorithms often require more energy? How does public support drive private-sector innovation? Why are so many data centers popping up in Northern Illinois? And most importantly, how do all these pieces fit together?

Find out on the Beat.

Special Guest

Dive Deeper

Between high interest rates, changing work habits, and the upcoming election, there are a lot of factors affecting office and industrial markets. So we figured it was time to check back in with two of our previous podcast guests, who keep a close watch on all things real estate.

In our latest episode, host Greg Bedalov joins Jim Adler and Mark Moran, Executive Vice Presidents of the Chicago-based brokerage firm NAI Hiffman, for an update on office and industrial development in Chicagoland.

How are high interest rates affecting the industrial market, and what will happen...

Employers are doing everything they can to attract and retain good workers. But the biggest factor in an employee’s success is also one of the hardest to manage: mental health.

In our latest episode, host Greg Bedalov joins Dr. Lindsey Harrington and Gina Sharp of Endeavor Health Linden Oaks Hospital to talk about mental health in the modern workplace.

Why is it so important? What’s changed in recent years? How do new technologies and ways of working impact our health? And, most importantly, how can employers create an environment that puts employee wellness firs...

For 160 years, customers across Northern Illinois have depended on one company for natural gas: Nicor. Now, the way we think about energy is evolving, and Nicor is evolving with it.

In today’s episode, host Greg Bedalov joins Nicor Gas VP Meena Beyers for a deep dive into the future of energy. From hydrogen molecules to net-zero housing, their conversation goes to some unexpected places, while exploring the big question: What’s the role of Nicor, and the natural gas industry, in tomorrow’s energy economy?

Special Guest: Meena Beyers, Vice President, Nicor Gas

A sp...

Let’s talk talent. In this episode, host Greg Bedalov joins three experts to explore how Chicagoland manufacturers are developing and recruiting next-generation workers.

How are manufacturers dealing with labor shortages? What can parents do to broaden their kids’ career horizons? And how is one local marketing agency helping make the next generation of “Mavericks”?

Find out on the Beat.

Special Guests:

Dive Deeper:

In January 2023, something unprecedented happened in Chicagoland. For the first time, seven Northeastern Illinois counties and the City of Chicago formed a partnership. Now, the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP) is working to drive inclusive development, promote the region’s collective assets, and foster collaboration like never before.

In this episode, host Greg Bedalov, President & CEO of Choose DuPage, sits down with three local leaders to discuss how GCEP is impacting the region and changing the Chicagoland story.

Special Guests:

Most Chicagoland residents have heard of Argonne National Laboratory, the DuPage County-based U.S. Department of Energy facility. But what many don’t realize is that Argonne is teaming up with manufacturers to develop groundbreaking projects at-scale, from EV batteries to carbon capture tech.

For today’s episode, host Greg Bedalov sits down with Chris Heckle, Director of the Materials Manufacturing Innovation Center, to discuss the transformative work happening at Argonne—and the collaboration behind it.

Dive Deeper:

In this follow-up to “People-nomics: Part 1”, we continue our exploration of all things labor. Host Greg Bedalov and a pair of economic experts break down a wide range of workforce-related issues, including the rising cost of housing, the aging population, and the endgame of recent inflation.

Guests:

Host: Greg Bedalov, President and CEO of Choose DuPage

Dive Deeper:

Today’s businesses are struggling for one thing: talent. So how did we get here? What factors are influencing the labor market? And how can businesses adapt?

The answer: It’s complicated.

In today’s episode, host Greg Bedalov sits down with an economist and a banking expert to discuss all things “People-nomics” – the economics of labor.

In the first half of their two-part conversation, Greg & co. discuss how automation and immigration are impacting the labor crisis, and what a shifting global supply chain could mean for our region.

Stay tuned for “People...

When an experienced engineer looks at Chicagoland, what do they see?In this episode, host Greg Bedalov meets with the founder of a prominent engineering firm and professor at the University of Illinois Chicago. Their sweeping conversation covers topics ranging from workplace sustainability and water resources to the EV infrastructure, the engineering workforce, and civic engagement.Guest: Dr. Christopher Burke, founder and CEO of Christopher B. Burke Engineering

Dive Deeper:

Turning a good idea into a real business can be daunting. Between marketing, finance and countless logistical hurdles, it’s hard to know where to start—much less how to build a profitable, sustainable business.

In today’s episode, host Greg Bedalov introduces listeners to Innovation DuPage (ID), an incubator that provides valuable resources to local startups and small businesses.

Greg is joined by two special guests: the Managing Director of ID and the CEO of a member business. Together, they break down how local entrepreneurs can access everything from workspaces and mentorship to “Owner-2-CEO” ed...

Digital tools have made it possible to work from anywhere. But offices are still the best places for collaboration and critical for attracting talent. So how are employers adapting?

In today’s episode, host Greg Bedalov meets with two workplace experts to discuss how modern workplaces are evolving to attract talent, spur collaboration, and accommodate hybrid work styles. From creative design solutions to the rise of “phygital” workplaces, Greg and his guests cover the topics and trends that matter to Chicagoland businesses.

Guests:

Julie Hokin Watts, Director of Client Development at Corporate Concepts

J...

COVID changed the way millions of people work. Now, its aftershocks are pushing developers and communities across Chicagoland to think creatively about how they use their space. In this episode, host Greg Bedalov meets with two real estate industry experts to discuss the stories behind key trends in employment, industry sectors, the regional GDP, and more. From the ‘amenities race’ to innovative mixed-use developments, Greg and his guests cover the topics that impact people and businesses across the region.

Guests: Jim Adler and Mark Moran, Executive Vice Presidents of Chicago-based brokerage firm NAI Hiffman

Host: Greg...