DuPage Business Beat

What’s next for Oak Brook, one of DuPage County’s major retail and business destinations?

On this episode of the DuPage Business Beat Podcast, Greg Bedalov, President & CEO of Choose DuPage, explores the changing business landscape in the Village of Oak Brook with Village President Larry Herman and Jeff Mann and Patrick Elwood, both Senior Vice Presidents with CBRE Advisory and Transaction Services.

The conversation looks at how Oak Brook is evolving to meet the needs of today’s businesses, retailers, and consumers. The guests discuss what successful retail looks like today, how the Village is working to maintain its strength as a retail destination, and what prospective tenants and businesses are looking for in the Oak Brook market.

They also explore the future of Oak Brook’s office market and opportunities to reimagine underutilized properties, including redevelopment along Butterfield Road. Looking ahead, the conversation examines the economic development opportunities that could shape Oak Brook over the next five to 10 years.

To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

Thank you to our sponsor, Fastener SuperStore, Inc. Visit them at fastenersuperstore.com to easily purchase standard screws, nuts, bolts, rivets, and other fasteners in bulk.

New Markets Tax Credits can help make community projects possible when traditional financing falls short.

On this episode of the DuPage Business Beat Podcast, Greg Bedalov, President & CEO of Choose DuPage, talks with Tom Oldenburg, Senior Vice President, Business Development Officer at US Bank, about New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) and the role they can play in economic development.

Tom breaks down how NMTC financing works, what makes a project a strong candidate and why location and community impact matter. He and Greg also discuss a local DuPage County example and explore how this financing can support business growth, job creation, workforce development and investment in communities.

The conversation also offers a practical takeaway for businesses and developers: what types of projects might qualify, and what should you do if you think yours could be a fit?

To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

Thank you to our sponsor, Fastener SuperStore, Inc. Visit them at fastenersuperstore.com to easily purchase standard screws, nuts, bolts, rivets, and other fasteners in bulk.

Students are approaching careers differently, from the fields they’re interested in, to the skills and credentials they’re pursuing. That’s changing how educators prepare students and how employers need to think about finding and attracting talent. On the latest episode of the DuPage Business Beat Podcast, Greg Bedalov, President & CEO | Choose DuPage, talks with Amber Quirk, Regional Superintendent of Schools, DuPage County Regional Office of Education, and Michael Fumagalli, Executive Director, Technology Center of DuPage, about the changing path from education to employment.

The conversation covers career and technical education, the industries drawing student interest, and the skills employers are looking for beyond academics. They also discuss certifications and other credentials, how artificial intelligence is changing education, and what today’s students value when choosing where to work.

The episode also takes a closer look at the Technology Center of DuPage and its role in giving students hands-on experience and connections to careers. Greg, Amber and Michael share ways businesses can engage with schools and help create stronger connections between students and the jobs waiting for them.

To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready. Thank you to our sponsor, Fastener SuperStore, Inc. Visit them at fastenersuperstore.com to easily purchase standard screws, nuts, bolts, rivets, and other fasteners in bulk.

Sustainability can sound like a big undertaking, especially for a small or mid-sized business. But as this episode of the DuPage Business Beat Podcast explores, getting started can be much more practical than businesses might expect. Greg Bedalov talks with Cassie Carroll of the EnergySense Resilience Center, Jennifer Larson of Chicago Glue and Machine, and DuPage County Board member Saba Haider about the resources available to businesses through Sustainable DuPage and the Illinois Green Business Certification Program.

The conversation looks at Chicago Glue and Machine’s experience becoming the first business in DuPage County to earn Illinois Green Business Certification, from its initial assessment to employee engagement and identifying practical improvements. The guests also discuss how businesses can reduce waste, conserve resources, lower costs, and build sustainability into their operations over time. Along the way, they make the case that sustainability does not have to be an either-or proposition for businesses. Done well, it can simply be smart business.

To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready. Thank you to our sponsor, Fastener SuperStore, Inc. Visit them at fastenersuperstore.com to easily purchase standard screws, nuts, bolts, rivets, and other fasteners in bulk.

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 only government-operated open admission shelter, how the organization has achieved a remarkable 93% live release rate, and why its work extends far beyond pet adoption. Brian and Laura share insights on public health, emergency response, volunteerism, mental health initiatives, community education, and the partnerships that help connect thousands of animals with new homes each year.

To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

Thank you to our sponsor, Fastener SuperStore, Inc. Visit them at fastenersuperstore.com to easily purchase standard screws, nuts, bolts, rivets, and other fasteners in bulk.

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 prepare for the future while protecting the value they've worked years to build. The conversation explores common mistakes business owners make, the importance of assembling the right advisory team, how AI is changing professional services, and why exit planning should begin long before a business owner is ready to step away.

To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

Thank you to our sponsor, Fastener SuperStore, Inc. Visit them at fastenersuperstore.com to easily purchase standard screws, nuts, bolts, rivets, and other fasteners in bulk.

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, including planning, design, construction, maintenance, and capital improvements across the Tollway system.

The conversation highlights key updates from the Illinois Tollway’s capital programs, including Move Illinois and Bridging the Future, and explores how these projects are improving mobility, supporting economic development, and strengthening regional connectivity for businesses and communities throughout DuPage County and beyond.

To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

Thank you to our sponsor, Fastener SuperStore, Inc. Visit them at fastenersuperstore.com to easily purchase standard screws, nuts, bolts, rivets, and other fasteners in bulk.

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. The conversation also dives into the rapid rise of high-demand industries like AI, quantum computing, and data centers, and what those sectors require from an energy and infrastructure standpoint.

To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

Thank you to our sponsor, Fastener SuperStore, Inc. Visit them at fastenersuperstore.com to easily purchase standard screws, nuts, bolts, rivets, and other fasteners in bulk.

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 why Medinah rose to the top as the host site, what goes into preparing for an event of this scale, and how local and regional partners are working together to deliver a world-class experience. The conversation also explores the broader impact of the Presidents Cup, from international visibility to the economic benefits expected across DuPage County and the greater Chicagoland region.

To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

Thank you to our sponsor, Fastener SuperStore, Inc. Visit them at fastenersuperstore.com to easily purchase standard screws, nuts, bolts, rivets, and other fasteners in bulk.

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 what companies can do to stay competitive, from improving onboarding to building clearer career paths, while also highlighting how higher education is responding through new programs, training, and networking opportunities.

To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

Thank you to our sponsor, Fastener SuperStore, Inc. Visit them at fastenersuperstore.com to easily purchase standard screws, nuts, bolts, rivets, and other fasteners in bulk.