Barnes & Noble could turn the tide for a once-thriving shopping corridor that runs between Wicker Park and Bucktown. Crain's retail reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about a possible recovery for Damen Avenue.

Plus: McDonald's CEO's compensation rose 8% last year, Oberweis Dairy files for bankruptcy protection, Blackstone leads $2 billion private loan for GTCR-backed data center operator and Bally's Chicago local tax revenue grew in March.

04/16/24: Shifting retail landscape on Damen

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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A last-minute measure tucked in the Illinois budget meant to give retailers a break is infuriating airlines and credit card companies. Crain’s politics reporter Leigh Giangreco discusses the provision with host Amy Guth.

Plus: Michigan Avenue office landlord hit with $29 million foreclosure lawsuit, Oberweis Dairy sold in bankruptcy auction, FAA vows to maintain scrutiny on Boeing, why Amazon now owns a big slice of Grubhub and Columbia College Chicago lays off 70 staffers amid budget crisis.

06/03/24: A first-of-its-kind carve-out for retailers

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about news from the local housing market, including how Chicago-area home prices have doubled since 2000 and the median price of homes sold hit a new record in April, even surpassing the usual peaks in summer months.

Plus: After working through the night, state lawmakers finalize $53.1 billion budget; CPS releases schools budget under new funding formula as $391M deficit looms; local investor buys distressed offices next to Oakbrook Center mall; and a South Loop skyscraper development site handed over to lender.

05/30/24: Rising home prices clear two milestones

Newly released West Loop assessments hint at Fritz Kaegi’s rosier view of downtown offices. Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Danny Ecker talks with host Amy Guth about the first batch of numbers that point to what the Cook County assessor thinks happened with downtown office building values over the past three years.

Plus: A look at the new concourse coming to O'Hare, medical waste disposal firm Stericycle is exploring a sale, T-Mobile buying U.S. Cellular assets in $4.4 billion deal and EU slaps Mondelez with price-manipulation fine as, separately, some shareholders say company isn't doing enough on Russia.

05/29/24: Kaegi tips his hand on downtown assessments

Crain's restaurants and retail reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about recent bankruptcies and closures, including those of Oberweis Dairy, Red Lobster and the parent company of Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen & Market.

Plus: West Loop assessments show Kaegi's rosier view of downtown offices, change comes to the Duchossois dynasty, condo board terminates $96 million deal to sell Loop tower, Lettuce Entertain You bringing two new concepts to River North and Lagunitas reports layoffs ahead of Chicago departure.

05/28/24: How Oberweis, and others, went bankrupt

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to talk news from around the local housing market, including the second-highest sale price of 2024 and multimillion-dollar Highland Park condos attracting empty-nesters from downtown.

Plus: LanzaJet lands $20 million as its green jet fuel prepares for takeoff, Lurie out of the woods after cyberattack, developers propose nearly 1,800 apartments for Fulton Market and Wilson Sporting Goods gives Caitlin Clark a signature basketball line.

04/16/24: Shifting retail landscape on Damen

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