Crain's Daily Gist

Crain's Chicago Business

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.

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Avg 26 min
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#1524
Yesterday · 44 min
Chicago condo market hits a hot streak
Host Jeanne Sparrow talks with Crain’s reporter Dennis Rodkin about the strange math of Chicago’s condo market, and the latest development in litigation over Winnetka’s bluff-protection ordinance. Plus: Gov. JB Pritzker announces a new PAC, a judge may halt Illinois’ "medical aid in dying" law, a study quantifies the toll of federal immigration enforcement on Cook County, and Ariel Investments changes up leadership for its private equity unit.
#1523
Tuesday · 25 min
Bridgeport opposition looms over Sox stadium plan
As Justin Ishbia begins laying his cards down for a proposed White Sox stadium, host Jeanne Sparrow talks with Crain’s politics reporter Justin Laurence about community pushback in Bridgeport that could complicate the plan. Plus: Barilla scoops up fast-growing mac-and-cheese startup Goodles, a West Coast tech firm eyes a new office on Wacker Drive and Illinois’ new law to cap drug prices hits roadblock in federal court.
#1522
Friday · 24 min
A closer look at Chicago's new transit leadership
In this discussion with host Jeanne Sparrow, Crain’s contributor Richard Day grades Chicago’s new transit board. Plus: Illinois’ senators step into the conflict between FAA and air traffic control, work resumes on the $1.1 billion project to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes, Prime Healthcare faces a potential nurses' strike, and Illinois tourism is booming.
#1521
September 2 · 42 min
Home of ‘gambling king of the stockyards’ faces uncertain fate
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin and host Amy Guth discuss the latest local housing news, including a mansion built by Mrs. O’Leary’s son that’s headed to demolition court. Plus: Downtown apartment projects score big construction loans as lending eases, S&P upgrades Illinois’ credit rating, a nonprofit buys Fulton Market loft office for new HQ and Mayor Johnson’s starring role in World Business Chicago videos draws ethics hearing.
#1520
September 1 · 21 min
More bets on a Mag Mile resurgence
North Michigan Avenue's recovery is gaining momentum with a drop in vacancy and infusions of capital. Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Rachel Herzog joins host Amy Guth to discuss. Plus: State Farm sued by L.A. County for delays and denials to fire victims, UChicago and U of I land $75 million in federal funding for quantum research, Kalshi goes after the big traders on CME and Cboe’s home turf and Deere launches AI assistant named JD to guide farmers’ choices.
#1519
August 31 · 18 min
Gibsons set for long-awaited Fulton Market debut
Crain's restaurants reporter Ally Marotti and host Amy Guth discuss the latest dining openings around Chicago. Plus: South Loop high-rise sold for $166M, Chicago’s second-biggest apartments deal this year, Aon buys mid-market insurance specialist in $17 billion deal, Rivian shares slide after CFO announces surprise departure, ex-Loretto CFO back in Chicago to face fraud charges.
#1518
August 28 · 33 min
Illinois' AI regulation puzzle
Crain’s contributor Margaret Littman and host Amy Guth discuss the push within Illinois to place guardrails around AI. Plus: A new study questions Chicago’s TIF payoff though developers say growth wouldn’t happen without it, Goodell signals Arlington Heights is still alive in Bears stadium race, United CEO says O’Hare’s two-airline era will end and Chicago will be better off, and a judge opens the door for healthcare providers to fight AbbVie’s federal drug discount lawsuit.
#1517
August 26 · 39 min
Chicago home prices haven’t surged this much since 2021
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to discuss the latest local housing news, including how Chicago home prices have made their biggest jump in over five years. Plus: Johnson finds $85 million budget fix and unloads on City Council, Walter’s TWG hits back at fraud claims and says it has no victims, Meta agrees to pay up to $16.7 billion in social media case and Foxtrot lands retail space at former Ann Sather site near Belmont CTA.
#1516
August 25 · 23 min
The O'Hare express train dream lives again
Crain’s reporter John Pletz talks with host Amy Guth about a proposed rail line to move travelers between downtown and O’Hare in 15 minutes. Plus: Chicago-based United Airlines adds 10 destinations to Europe and Asia; Supreme Court sides with Trump for now on his mail ballot curbs; Bronzeville development site pitched for Pete’s Fresh Market and hundreds of apartments; and Deere workers reject contract extension, setting up 2027 labor showdown.
#1515
August 24 · 21 min
Homeowners brace for another tax hit
Cook County homeowners are still paying the price for the commercial real estate slump. Crain’s Danny Ecker discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Data center giant set to buy Hawthorne Race Course; Trump tries to strip ABA's authority as law school accreditor; Intuit TurboTax opening store at the base of Tribune Tower; and a new Austin health center is part of wider push to fill West Side health gaps.
#1514
August 21 · 22 min
C-suite moves at Chicago health giants
Chicago healthcare players GE HealthCare and Baxter International found new finance chiefs at a turning point for both companies. Crain’s healthcare reporter Jon Asplund talks with host Amy Guth about the C-suite moves and other health business news. Plus: Morgan & Morgan signs onto Loop office tower poised for revamp, Pritzker names new transit board members, judge orders Outcome Health execs to pay at least $271 million and Chicago firms tied to Mark Walter probe could face legal woes.
#1513
August 19 · 17 min
Dealmaking slows down even further
Deals remain scarce for Chicago’s biggest private equity and venture capital firms. Crain’s finance reporter Mark Weinraub discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Former Willis Tower owner testifies real estate empire now worth negative $80 million amid financial woes, Amazon to expand drone delivery to the Chicago area, Chicago Quantum Exchange CEO stepping down and developer buys Lakeview apartments for $61.5 million with plans to expand.
#1512
August 18 · 21 min
Another way to get Chicago’s hardest restaurant reservations
Chicago’s hottest restaurant tables have a new pay-to-play option. Crain’s contributing food and wine writer Ari Bendersky talks with host Amy Guth about the new platform for hard-to-get reservations. Plus: JPMorgan Chase opens Mag Mile flagship as wealth management competition heats up, developer buying Ford City Mall tweaks industrial plan in bid for city approval, feds want Outcome Health founders’ bond revoked and NASCAR is pulling the plug on its Chicago street race.
#1511
August 17 · 22 min
Stellantis boosts its Belvidere reset
Crain's reporter John Pletz talks with host Amy Guth about Stellantis’ plans to restart the idled Belvidere plant and Madison Air’s $5.4 billion acquisition. Plus: Federal rail funding clears path for Justin Ishbia’s big South Loop plans, Bally’s issues "going concern" warning to investors, an old name in Chicago business gets set to fold and Chicago Fed’s Goolsbee wants to see more evidence of cooling inflation.
#1510
August 14 · 22 min
What's behind Chicago's falling death rate
Crain’s healthcare reporter Jon Asplund talks with host Amy Guth about healthcare news, including recent successes Chicago has seen in lowering opioid overdoses. Plus: Johnson says Chicago will make full advance pension payment, Chicago Auto Show veteran named new McCormick Place GM, Durbin still waiting for FAA answers on O’Hare flight caps and Meta bringing first Midwest retail store to Gold Coast.
#1509
August 12 · 45 min
The hottest spots in Chicago's already hot housing market
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to discuss the latest local housing news, including where Chicago-area home prices are rising fastest. Plus: Johnson calls for a moratorium on new data centers in Chicago, Josh Kushner and Bob Iger buy L.A. Lakers from Mark Walter for more than $12 billion after a federal probe of the Guggenheim CEO reaches Chicago, nearly 250 call-center workers to be laid off as Pace contract shifts and an analysis finds Illinois farme
#1508
August 11 · 19 min
Another big bet on Mag Mile's recovery
The owner of the Shops at North Bridge plans a $40 million revamp for the vertical mall. Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Rachel Herzog discusses the shopping center, and other Mag Mile news, with host Amy Guth. Plus: Bears eye second Hammond site as Indiana push advances, why Bally’s is slowing casino construction in its fight with City Hall, CME seeks 24/7 trading of silver futures in retail push and CEOs pushed White House to delay ultra-processed food definition.
#1507
August 10 · 22 min
Refunds won't end companies' tariff headaches
Illinois companies are reporting an $857 million tariff windfall, but tariff and supply chain issues persist. Crain’s reporter John Pletz discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Congress eyes boosting quantum funds as global race heats up, Portillo’s is cutting HQ staff by 18%, Pritzker presses Welch for quick action on sexual-harassment reforms and Fairlife breaks ground on $650 million expansion in Michigan.
#1506
August 7 · 28 min
McDonald's value problem is bigger than just prices
Crain's restaurants reporter Ally Marotti and host Amy Guth discuss McDonald’s struggle with its value strategy. Plus: Landmark Loop office building takes step toward data center conversion; Pritzker pens letter to Trump, seeking tariff refunds for Illinois families; Outcome Health founders’ fraud convictions upheld; and Indiana preps for Bears with plan for new South Shore Line stop in Hammond.
#1505
August 5 · 38 min
No one is building homes slower than Illinois in mainland U.S
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to discuss the latest local housing news, including Illinois' rank near the bottom on building new housing. Plus: Portillo’s taps Olive Garden exec as CFO in leadership reboot, Kraft Heinz turnaround progress leaves investors wanting more, Adams Street Partners moving HQ to West Loop riverfront building and ADM raises 2026 outlook as biofuels drive growth.

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