Crain's Daily Gist

Ulta Beauty has tapped COO Kecia Steelman to take over as chief executive . Crain's retail reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about the next chapter for the Bolingbrook-based chain. Plus: Hemp regulation bill dies in Springfield, dealing a political blow to Gov. Pritzker; McDonald's retires some diversity goals in latest corporate DEI retreat; Illinois task force recommends tornado she...

More than a thousand new dining spots opened in Chicago last year. Crain's restaurants reporter Ally Marotti joins host Amy Guth to share six that are making waves around here. Plus: Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel file lawsuits after Biden blocks deal; Rivian production falls 27% on parts shortage, but deliveries tick up; East Loop office landlord hit with $62 million foreclosure lawsuit; United Airl...

Amy Guth about state of higher education in Illinois on the heels of layoffs and course restructuring at Columbia College. Plus: Bally's offers 25% stake in Chicago casino to historically underrepresented investors, census data indicates Illinois population is growing again, Endeavor Health plans $100M expansion and renovation of Elmhurst Hospital and Eater Chicago consolidates under new Midwest b...

Going private could create a path to survival for Walgreens — but it's not without drawbacks. Crain’s health care reporter Katherine Davis talks with host Amy Guth about what assets could be on the chopping block if a Walgreens deal with a private equity firm comes to fruition. Plus: Lawsuit alleges Kraft Heinz, Mondelez and others knowingly used Big Tobacco tactics to make addictive products; Gov...

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about news from the local market, including how Gov. Pritzker wants to speed development of mid-range housing statewide as well as looking to see if the sale of Michael Jordan’s house could mean hope for other longtime local listings. Plus: Ascension and Prime hospital deal gets green light from state, Grubhub to pay $...

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $17.1 billion city budget has finally passed, though narrowly. Crain’s Justin Laurence discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Advocate to invest $1 billion on the South Side and rebuild Trinity hospital, Columbia College launches layoffs and course restructuring as deficit looms, Marriott acquires cabins near Starved Rock as part of 2025 outdoor recreation push and UChicago ca...

Crain's reporters Rachel Herzog and Dennis Rodkin talk with host Amy Guth about how a recent bulk sale of dozens of condos in the St. Regis is the latest turn in the decade-long saga of the property, a focal point of Chicago's skyline. Plus: Lawsuit says Kroger derailed Albertsons merger due to "buyer's remorse," Hyatt Regency O'Hare Chicago sold to New York hotel firm, East Coast investor spends...

Crain's restaurants reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about how a Chicago meat supplier is using AI to cut down on labor costs . Plus: Vote delayed on Johnson's $17.3 billion 2025 budget over lack of support, AbbVie to acquire Wisconsin biopharma for $200 million, former Dixon comptroller who embezzled tens of millions and a Northbrook financial exec granted clemency, and Michael Jord...

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to talk news from the local market, including how the number of Chicago-area homes under contract jumped in November. Plus: Albertsons sues Kroger for breach of contract in failed deal after Jewel-Mariano's parent merger blocked by judge, Chicago Department of Aviation inks big office lease near O'Hare, The Onion's bid for...

The feds are hustling to finalize money for rebooting the Belvidere auto plant before Donald Trump's administration takes control. Crain’s manufacturing reporter John Pletz discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Walgreens reportedly in talks to sell itself to private equity, Sterling Bay project opposed by Ald. Scott Waguespack rejected by Zoning Committee, Shops at North Bridge lender taking over Ma...

Crain's consumer products reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about how the latest experiment at Butterfinger’s Franklin Park factory as the brand tries to innovate. Plus: Snack maker Hearthside settles Illinois child labor probe, Coca-Cola and Fairlife nearing move to vintage Fulton Market building, downtown Wheaton apartments sold for $101 million, feds hurry to finalize money for Bel...

The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has shocked the insurance industry — and prompted a reckoning. Crain’s health care reporter Katherine Davis discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: More tax fights loom as Brandon Johnson and City Council near budget deal, private-equity firm leaving Mag Mile for West Loop, CME to offer one-ounce gold futures as retail trade surges, and though the dat...

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about the local housing market, including about locally grown @properties Christie's being acquired by Compass and the $19 million Ken Griffin condo that’s now the latest project in JB Pritzker's real estate empire. Plus: The Fed's Austan Goolsbee on what Chicago can expect from interest rate cuts, Foxtrot's plans outs...

Illinois has marked five years of legal recreational marijuana sales. Crain’s reporter John Pletz talks with host Amy Guth about the lessons learned along the way. Plus: Ad agency known for Super Bowl spots expanding office and moving to Merchandise Mart, Portillo’s hires COO to help propel expansion, KeyBank nabs five people from Huntington to open commercial banking unit in Chicago and a piece o...

VillageMD CEO departs Walgreens' troubled primary care partner. Crain’s healthcare reporter Katherine Davis discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Stellantis CEO quits early over strategy dispute, EV maker Lion wins creditor relief and halts Joliet factory, former Bear Israel Idonije pivots to 154-room Motor Row hotel plan and Chicago's largest nonprofit ranks far ahead of the rest. Hosted by Simplec...

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to talk local housing news, including his takeaways from the latest market data , a proposal to eliminate single-family-only zoning in Evanston and more. Plus: $19 million Ken Griffin condo is just the latest project in JB Pritzker's real estate empire, Chicago’s Board of Education presses schools chief to settle teachers c...

Chicago-area transit agencies face a reckoning that could derail the region. Crain’s Forum editor Cassandra West talks with host Amy Guth about how CTA, Metra and Pace are looking for elusive dollars as lawmakers and others urge the three entities to consolidate. Plus: Mayor's office faces scrutiny over misconduct accusations against ex-comms chief, Bears make peace with Arlington Heights over Arl...

Despite finance and staffing headaches, the new Cook County Health chief sees path for growth. Crain’s healthcare reporter Katherine Davis discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: True Value's $153 million sale to Do It Best clears bankruptcy court, Grant Thornton reportedly lays off about 150 workers in the U.S., large Hyde Park apartment portfolio up for sale and MacKenzie Scott strikes twice at hous...

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 reporte...

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 CB...

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 Coa...

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. Hosted...

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 sli...

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...

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 ec...