06/23/21: Why McDonald’s is doubling down on digital growth

05/26/21: Why marijuana edibles are creating buzz: THC-infused snacks and candies are increasingly making up a huge share of total weed sales. Reporter John Pletz joins host Amy Guth to explain why Chicago’s deep roots in the food business may give local pot entrepreneurs an edge over the competition. Plus: Lightfoot administration faces more turnover, Chicago more than doubles rent relief funding, Fulton Market development sites hit the market and United Airlines launches its own vaccine lottery. by Crain's Daily Gist

17 min listen

05/25/21: Home sales soar even as prices go sky-high: The Chicago-area saw home sales and prices explode in April. Residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to explain why the market is hotter than it’s been in years. Plus: McDonald's reopening plan is running into opposition from franchisees, Gallagher set to fill Chicago’s Aon vacuum, Illinois Rep. Bobby Rush aims to restart biomedical research disrupted by pandemic and employers are left to take the lead when it comes to wearing masks at work. by Crain's Daily Gist

17 min listen

05/13/21: These are Chicago’s hottest housing markets: Homes are selling fast across the region, but where are they selling the fastest? Reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to discuss and recap this week's real estate news. Plus: White House enlists McDonald's to promote vaccines, Joffrey Ballet expanding to South Loop, city’s marketing chief made permanent head of World Business Chicago and a 29-story Loop office building goes back on the market. by Crain's Daily Gist

34 min listen

06/14/21: Real estate’s moment of reckoning: Chicago is facing calls to reduce downtown buildings’ carbon footprint and landmark the homes of the city’s Black historical figures. Reporters Danny Ecker and Dennis Rodkin join host Amy Guth to discuss how the movements highlight the real estate industry’s role in climate change and systemic racism. Plus: Another lawsuit has been filed over Illinois' remap, COVID restrictions are lifting but some restaurants aren't ready, ethanol production outlook rises to the highest level since February 2020, and the park district's indoor pools will remain closed throughout the summer—but not because of COVID. by Crain's Daily Gist

29 min listen

06/10/21: The housing market is having a Goldilocks moment: he Chicago-area real estate market is in a relative sweet spot. But how long can it last? Reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to discuss and recap this week’s housing news. Plus: Worldwide travel loosens up, Illinois forms a high-speed rail commission, a Wacker Drive skyscraper hits the market, and new weed licenses could be issued by the end of the summer. by Crain's Daily Gist

27 min listen

05/19/21: With eviction ban set to end, will $1.5B in renter aid be enough?: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announces $1.5 billion in rent relief as the state says it will lift its freeze on evictions in August. Crain's commercial real estate reporter Alby Gallun talks with host Amy Guth about what it means for renters and landlords. Plus: Lightfoot says Chicagoans should keep wearing masks, General Iron owner hits city with $100 million lawsuit, Fulton Market developer plans massive apartment and office project, Peapod founders have a new grocery-tech venture that helps consumers who have special diets find the right foods. by Crain's Daily Gist

17 min listen

05/12/21: Why dealers are paying top-dollar for used cars: Used car values are soaring as dealers struggle to find pre-owned vehicles. Contributor Judy Crown joins host Amy Guth to discuss. Plus: The Navy Pier Flyover is finally finished, an Oprah-backed startup wants to help grocers peer into their produce, The owner of Barnes & Noble is buying Paper Source and Biden is set to nominate Rahm Emanuel as ambassador to Japan. by Crain's Daily Gist

16 min listen

06/24/21: Are homebuyers really leaving the city for the suburbs?: New data suggests that home sales in Chicago are growing faster than the larger metropolitan area. Reporter Dennis Rodkin breaks down the numbers with host Amy Guth in a recap of this week’s real estate news. Plus: CIBC takes a stake in one of the city’s most prominent minority-owned financial firms; Amazon plans a distribution warehouse and hundreds of jobs in Humboldt Park; a look at Mayor Lightfoot’s claim that homicides and shootings are down; and Michelin-starred chef José Andrés is set to open a speakeasy in Chicago this summer. by Crain's Daily Gist

27 min listen

05/17/21: Will businesses need to police who's vaccinated?: Vaccinated individuals no longer have to wear masks indoors and they won’t count toward capacity limits under the city’s reopening plan. But how will businesses be able to tell who got the shot? Reporters Danny Ecker and Stephanie Goldberg join a reporters roundtable with host Amy Guth to talk about what could be a logistical nightmare. Plus: Lollapalooza will be back this summer, Civic Federation hits Pritzker's plan to close corporate loophole, Mariano's parent, Kroger gave its CEO $22 million after ending hazard pay for workers, Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg will be a spokesman for Chicago weed giant PharmaCann. by Crain's Daily Gist

33 min listen

06/09/21: What’s the future for hotels post-pandemic?: A Gold Coast hotel for sale stands to provide clues about what investors think hotels are worth as the pandemic wanes. Commercial real estate reporter Danny Ecker discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Airline leaders plead to restart trans-Atlantic flights, Cook County changes its vaccination strategy to address hesitancy, insurance startup Kin raises $69 million with an investment from a PGA pro and 10 community leaders get $50K grants from the Field and Macarthur Foundations to make a difference in underserved areas. by Crain's Daily Gist

18 min listen

06/22/21: How employers can support mental health as workers return to the office: The pandemic has only made worker burnout worse. Now, as companies begin to return to the office, leaders will need to do more to keep workers engaged and motivated. Chicago Comes Back columnists Emily Drake and Todd Connor join host Amy Guth to discuss. Plus: How a newcomer to the hospital business plans to save Mercy, a scaled-back Air & Water Show is planned for this summer, Pfizer CEO urges Biden to form a coalition to cut drug costs, and here’s why you can expect long wait times and high prices when ordering an Uber or Lyft in Chicago right now. by Crain's Daily Gist

27 min listen

06/08/21: Hedge fund’s move to cut costs at Tribune may backfire: Tribune Publishing’s new owner will likely try to turn a profit by slashing newsroom staff. Reporter Ally Marotti joins host Amy Guth to discuss how further cost-cutting will make it difficult for the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers to hold on to readers. Plus: A new report shows your property's share of local government debt, private-equity firms to buy Medline in $30 billion deal, Chicago Fire plans facility on Northwest Side and a ghost kitchen company owned by the co-founder of Uber is embroiled in a North Side NIMBY fight. by Crain's Daily Gist

18 min listen

05/18/21: Would waiving vaccine patents help end the pandemic?: The Biden administration unexpectedly came out in favor of suspending patent protections for COVID-19 vaccines in a move meant to boost supply in countries hard-hit by the pandemic. Health care reporter Stephanie Goldberg joins host Amy Guth to talk about why the debate over intellectual property rights isn’t as simple as it seems. Plus: A new congressional map surfaces in Springfield, Delta to require vaccines for new employees, Stellantis cuts shift at Illinois Jeep plant amid chip shortage and a WHO report says working long hours increases risk of death from heart disease and stroke. by Crain's Daily Gist

16 min listen

05/11/21: What business leaders think of Chicago’s economic future: The most recent Executive Pulse Survey from Crain’s-Harris Poll finds the majority of business leaders are hopeful the economy will pick up in the next six months. Harris Poll CEO William Johnson joins host Amy Guth to discuss what’s top of mind for business owners and C-suite executives as the city opens back up. Plus: City to fund $60M in Michael Reese site infrastructure, Helmut Jahn leaves architectural legacy in Chicago and around the world, Gallagher reportedly in talks to buy Aon and Willis assets and Rush and BMO launch $10 million health equity institute. by Crain's Daily Gist

18 min listen

6/29/21: A spike in unruly passengers has airlines wanting to press charges: There’s been a dramatic uptick in violent incidents on flights, with airlines reporting 3,000 cases of disruptive passengers since Jan. 1. Reporter John Pletz joins host Amy Guth to discuss how carriers are responding. Plus: Kellogg CEO's Chicago address shows a company’s “headquarters" doesn't mean what it used to; CVS/Aetna combo targets Illinois in a new threat to Walgreens and Blue Cross; historic sites group breaks ranks with state officials over Thompson Center; and a Lake Shore Drive name change has been approved by City Council. by Crain's Daily Gist

17 min listen

06/16/21: Does McDonald’s plan to automate drive-thru ordering break Illinois privacy law?: An Illinois privacy law that has entangled major companies including Facebook is now threatening McDonald’s efforts to improve drive-thru times—a key initiative in its plan to boost sales post-COVID. Crain’s reporter Ally Marotti joins host Amy Guth to explain. Plus: $7.3 billion takeover of Grubhub goes through, Boeing PAC resumes donating to politicians including Republicans who opposed certifying the presidential election, PharmaCann gets a $110M investment from a Canadian marijuana company and the travel rebound ends the need for United to furlough workers when federal pandemic aid runs out. by Crain's Daily Gist

18 min listen

06/21/21: The growing buzz around weed and hard seltzer: As Chicago-based White Claw tries to stay ahead in an increasingly-crowded hard seltzer space, suburban towns are reconsidering whether to approve recreational marijuana sales as the pot market continues to boom. Reporters Ally Marotti and John Pletz talk weed and hard seltzer with host Amy Guth. Plus: How the Chicago Bears' bid to move to the suburbs highlights issues at Soldier Field, Chicago area's last remaining coal-fired power plants are set to close, Cook County will likely again delay the property tax payment deadline and Mayor Lightfoot’s ‘Chi Biz Strong’ COVID recovery package moves closer to law. by Crain's Daily Gist

27 min listen

05/20/21: As prices explode, should you buy a home?: Low mortgage rates and a shortage of properties for sale has caused home prices to skyrocket. Do new homebuyers stand to lose money in the long run by buying in a sellers’ market? Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to recap this week’s real estate news and take listener questions. Plus: Agents group sues Allstate for multiple breaches of contract, WeWork chairman says demand for shared office space exceeds pre-pandemic levels, market research firm Ipsos reduces its downtown footprint, and Bank of America will raise minimum wage to $25 an hour. by Crain's Daily Gist

36 min listen

06/28/21: What business in a post-pandemic economy looks like: Businesses across industries are charting the city’s comeback story. This month’s Crain’s Forum looks at how entrepreneurs and leaders used the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to transform the way they do work in Chicago. Forum Editor Cassandra West and reporters Wendell Hutson and A.D. Quig join host Amy Guth with more. Plus: City closes mass vaccination sites at United Center and many city colleges, big residential plan pitched for former DePaul College Prep campus, dozens of former Sears stores are set to hit market and the U.S. Supreme Court backs Chicago-based TransUnion on consumer lawsuits by Crain's Daily Gist

30 min listen

06/02/21: What to know about Illinois’ new $42B state budget: Lawmakers approved a state budget that doesn’t contain tax increases. Political columnist Greg Hinz joins host Amy Guth to explain. Plus: The great supply chain crisis of 2021 is now starting to impact the construction business, First Midwest in $6.5 billion deal with Indiana bank, Ulta's new CEO confronts a beauty business altered by COVID-19 and Chicago clears the way for Mercy Hospital’s new owner. by Crain's Daily Gist

21 min listen

07/21/21: How Illinois can become a leader in electric vehicles: This year’s Chicago Auto Show puts a spotlight on electric vehicles. Rob Kelter, Senior Attorney at the Environmental Law & Policy Center talks with host Amy Guth about what it will take to get consumers to transition away from gas-powered cars. Plus: Gov. J.B. Pritzker makes his re-election bid official; Nature's Fynd raises $350 million to become Chicago’s tenth “unicorn” this year; Foxtrot plans to open 50 stores in 2 years; and a new lawsuit threatens to slow Illinois’ weed licensing process. by Crain's Daily Gist

22 min listen

06/03/21: Here’s why your home isn’t selling: Even in Chicago’s hot market, not all homes are selling fast. Reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to take reader questions and recap the latest news in real estate. Plus: Travel restrictions loosen as Chicago's latest COVID measures show the lowest test positivity rate since the pandemic began, Illinois senators approve a plan for a fully elected Chicago school board, ComEd bribery defendants ask a judge to toss some charges and Radio Flyer takes e-bikes and scooters for a spin. by Crain's Daily Gist

37 min listen

07/29/21: Why Chicago’s real estate boom isn’t a bubble: Home prices in May increased at the fastest pace since 2013, but that doesn’t mean the market is approaching bubble territory. Reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to explain why in a recap of this week’s housing news. Plus: Activists propose an alternative to the Obama Center, Kirkland & Ellis nears deal for biggest downtown office lease in years, software startup LogicGate raises $113 million and McDonald's outpaces Wall Street estimates even as labor shortages loom. by Crain's Daily Gist

39 min listen

06/15/21: Why businesses are paying more for cyber insurance: Insurers are raising premiums as a growing number of ransomware attacks has more businesses looking for digital protection. Reporter Steve Daniels joins host Amy Guth to discuss. Plus: O’Hare is recovering slower than other major airports, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s energy plan could be a lucrative opportunity for ComEd, large mall owner files Chapter 11 and a look at three Chicago shopping areas with three different post-pandemic recovery paths. by Crain's Daily Gist

19 min listen

07/01/21: Celebrities’ former homes crowd Chicago’s real estate market: Bears linebacker Khalil Mack listed his Glencoe mansion, while the site of Mr. T’s 1987 “Lake Forest Chainsaw Massacre” sold for $5 million. Reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to discuss and recap this week’s real estate news. Plus: Illinois sees first bond rating upgrade in over two decades, Wilson Sporting Goods picks Gold Coast for its first-ever store, Ferrara debuts massive DeKalb facility and food trucks at Daley Plaza are coming back. by Crain's Daily Gist

27 min listen

07/22/21: Luxury homebuyers are coming back to the city: In the past couple of months, seven condos have sold for $4 million-plus in downtown neighborhoods where the buyers put them under contract in 2021. Reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to explain what it means for the downtown housing market in a recap of this week’s real estate news. Plus: Sports betting at Chicago stadiums takes a step forward, Pritzker campaign pushes free college and tech ambitions, Petterino's to reopen under newly formed restaurant group and Lightfoot issues warning on Delta variant amid an uptick in cases. by Crain's Daily Gist

34 min listen

05/27/21: Homes are going for well over the asking price: The average home in Chicago is now selling for over 100 percent of the asking price, but home values overall are still rising slower than in other major cities. Reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to explain why that’s not necessarily a bad thing in a recap of this week’s real estate news. Plus: Mayor Lightfoot unveils plan to help hard-hit businesses, Illinois House passes long-awaited weed license bill, Illinois and Discovery Partners Institute team up to monitor COVID in wastewater and the travel rebound gains steam. by Crain's Daily Gist

26 min listen

06/23/21: Why McDonald’s is doubling down on digital growth: McDonald’s is rolling out a nationwide rewards program and slashing options from its value menu in a bid to boost sales. Crain's reporter Ally Marotti joins host Amy Guth to discuss. Plus: The grocery-store boom is poised to live on even as pandemic fades, GM and Ford are locked in an electric vehicle spending race, another Chicago company hits $1 billion valuation, and airlines seek criminal charges against unruly passengers. by Crain's Daily Gist

15 min listen

05/24/21: The city is calling out businesses for a lack of diversity: Chicago’s political leaders are taking bold steps to bring attention to the lack of diversity in some of the city’s most powerful industries, from financial services to journalism. Crain’s Wendell Hutson and Ally Marotti join host Amy Guth for a reporters’ roundtable. Plus: McDonald's hit with $10 billion discrimination suit from Byron Allen, Tribune Publishing shareholders vote to sell company to hedge fund, CNA Financial paid $40 million in ransom after March cyberattack and Illinois will repay the $2 billion it borrowed from the Federal Reserve without using COVID relief funds. by Crain's Daily Gist

35 min listen

06/07/21: How businesses are preparing for a full reopening: Restaurants are getting ready for the removal of coronavirus restrictions June 11, as downtown landlords see a boost with life slowly returning to Chicago’s central business district. Reporters Alby Gallun and Ally Marotti discuss in a roundtable with host Amy Guth. Plus: Pritzker criticizes new ethics rules for state lawmakers; Staples offers $1 billion for Office Depot's consumer unit in new bid; Boeing plans to test ‘curtain of air’ to fight COVID in jet cabins and warns China that a trade impasse threatens its global sway. by Crain's Daily Gist

35 min listen

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06/23/21: Why McDonald’s is doubling down on digital growth

06/23/21: Why McDonald’s is doubling down on digital growth

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