Crain's Daily Gist

The tragedy in Surfside, Fla., has residents of a Chicago tower anxious about the state of their own 57-story condo building. Crain's residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin discusses developments at 111 E. Chestnut with host Amy Guth. Plus: The troubled Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund has new leadership; Aon founder Pat Ryan has a second act that comes with some caveats; the maker of Weber grills plans an IPO; and the food trucks that survived the pandemic are still waiting for the rebound that restaurants are already enjoying.

Leases are in demand for third-party logistics firms in Chicago. Crain's commercial real estate reporters Danny Ecker and Alby Gallun join host Amy Guth to talk about the state of office and industrial space. Plus: CTA ridership is recovering fast, but trains and buses are still only half as full as before the pandemic; Michelin-starred Mag Mile restaurant Spiaggia is closing permanently; Illinois gets a second bond upgrade; and Target backs off a Water Tower Place outpost.

In three Chicago suburbs, the fast-paced real estate market means the inventory of homes for sale is so slim, it's nearly nonexistent. Reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to discuss and recap this week’s real estate news. Plus: The city's aviation chief says O’Hare is due for a major rebound, Grubhub has plans for robotic food delivery on college campuses, Willis Tower insurer sues the city and local sewer district over flood damage from May 2020 storms, and why Big Food companies need strong second-quarter numbers.

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi is now 0-3 in his efforts to push a piece of legislation through in Springfield that he says is key to his property tax reform agenda. Crain's government reporter A.D. Quig joins host Amy Guth with more. Plus: Chicago's top cop shifts blame on uptick in violence, Bears aren’t the only ones bidding for Arlington racetrack, Blackstone to pay $1.4 billion for Chicago software firm and Ford announces more factory downtime in July due to ongoing supply shortage.

United Airlines is placing the biggest order for new planes in the company's history, part of an ambitious overhaul of the Chicago carrier’s fleet to increase premium seats for business travelers willing to pay more. John Pletz joins host Amy Guth to discuss.Plus: Ald. Carrie Austin indicted on bribery charges, RCN expands in Chicago with acquisition, U.S. Supreme Court passes on Blommer Chocolate case and chewing gum is making a comeback as masks come off.

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.

Despite promises to keep Westlake Hospital open, court filings now reveal that its for-profit owners had always intended to close the Melrose Park facility. Stephanie Goldberg joins host Amy Guth to discuss what it means for the future of health care in the largely Black and Brown western suburb. Plus: United places big jet order and CEO Scott Kirby details the Chicago carrier's plans to address an uptick in unruly passengers; Naperville sale marks biggest suburban apartment deal since 2018; Walmart counters Amazon's drug push.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Enticingly low prices are attracting buyers and laying the groundwork for a big increase in downtown condo sales. Reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to explain in a recap of this week’s real estate news. Plus: Progressive hikes auto rates in Illinois as drivers take to the roads again, U.S. News ranks Lurie among the state’s top children's hospitals, Southwest says systems have been restored after 1,400 flights were disrupted due to a glitch, and chicken sandwich battles continue to rage as poultry prices soar.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.