DuPage Business Beat

In this episode of the DuPage Business Beat Podcast, Greg Bedalov sits down with DuPage County Board Member and Animal Services Committee Chair Brian Krajewski and DuPage County Animal Services Administrator Laura Flamion to discuss the evolving role of animal welfare in building strong, healthy communities. The conversation explores what makes DuPage County Animal Services unique as the region’s...

In this episode of the DuPage Business Beat Podcast, Greg Bedalov sits down with Phil Salerno, Partner at Clingen Callow & McLean , to discuss one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of business ownership: planning for transition. From succession planning and family business transfers to private equity acquisitions and business sales, Phil shares insights into how owners can pre...

Transportation infrastructure plays a major role in how communities grow, businesses move goods, and regions stay connected. In this episode of the DuPage Business Beat Podcast, Greg Bedalov talks with Manar Nashif about the Illinois Tollway’s long-term vision for the future of mobility across Northern Illinois. As Chief Engineering Officer, Nashif oversees the agency’s engineering operations, inc...

In this episode of the DuPage Business Beat Podcast, Greg Bedalov sits down with Rick Trujillo, Director of Economic Development at Nicor, to explore how energy is shaping business growth, site selection, and long-term investment across Chicagoland. They break down the evolving policy landscape and how incentives, sustainability goals, and regulations are influencing where and how companies expand...

A global event like the Presidents Cup takes years of planning, coordination, and collaboration. In this episode, Greg Bedalov sits down with Joie Chitwood, Executive Director of the Presidents Cup, John Duggan, Vice Chairman of Operations at Medinah Country Club, and Jim Hart, Vice Chair of the Host Committee, to discuss what it takes to bring the 2026 tournament to DuPage County. They break down...

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 c...

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 investme...

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 Ve...

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...

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. S...

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 b...

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 cl...

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...

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...

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 G...

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 Sean Gascoigne, Director of Community and Economic Development at the Village of Bloomingdale Staci Springer, AICP, Co...

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 Parent...

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 Christy George, President and CEO, Intersect Illinois John Atkinson, Chairman, Intersect Illinois Dive Deeper In this episode, Greg and his guests discuss how Illinois has em...

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...

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...

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 rec...

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 exp...

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 G...

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 &...

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 Manufacturi...