Kraft Heinz reportedly plans to break itself up a decade after the megamerger that formed the packaged-food giant. Crain's consumer products reporter Ally Marotti discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: FCC greenlights T-Mobile's $4.4 billion U.S. Cellular acquisition, U.S. Foods in talks to acquire rival distributor, Boston battery startup is moving to Fulton Market and a developer eyes Ford City Mall demolition and new warehouse project. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.co...
Jul 14, 2025•25 min•Ep. 1294
Two Chicago deep-dish chains want to expand nationally . Crain’s restaurants reporter Brandon Dupré talks with host Amy Guth about their plans and economic factors in the pizza business. Plus: Walgreens shareholders approve private-equity buyout, Ferrero is buying WK Kellogg in $3.1 billion deal, developers reveal new "scaled down" plan for Lincoln Yards site and new owner of Wacker Drive tower floats hotel conversion plan. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for inform...
Jul 11, 2025•24 min•Ep. 1293
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin and host Amy Guth discuss the latest news from the local market, including record-breaking sales in Chicago's higher housing tier and Cook County’s push for affordable modular homes. Plus: Office demand freefall resumes as downtown vacancy reaches a new record high, Rivian's micro-EV spinoff valued at $1 billion, Blue Cross parent renames Medicare offerings following Cigna deal and CME debates the meaning of "trading floor" as $2 billion tri...
Jul 09, 2025•51 min•Ep. 1292
Looking to woo value-hungry customers, some Chicago restaurant operators are dropping $20 cocktails. Crain's restaurants reporter Ally Marotti talks about the latest hospitality pivot with host Amy Guth. Plus: NASCAR is negotiating with city officials on its Chicago return, Notre Dame loses protection from endowment tax in GOP bill, Monroe Capital invests $100 million in NFS Capital and American Airlines goes back to court to stop gate shuffle at O'Hare. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company....
Jul 08, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1291
CME Group faces former pit traders as its $2 billion trial gets underway . Crain’s finance reporter Mark Weinraub talks with host Amy Guth about the trial that will decide if traders will be compensated for the shift to screen-based trading. Plus: Baxter names a new CEO, Ald. Walter Burnett in the running to lead the Chicago Housing Authority, BlackRock to buy real estate firm with $7.3 billion in assets and Chicago area ranks among nation's most expensive rental markets. Hosted by Simplecast, a...
Jul 07, 2025•21 min•Ep. 1290
Northwestern’s president is set to again appear in front of Congress this summer. Crain’s reporter Brandon Dupre talks with host Amy Guth about the university and other higher ed institutions in the crosshairs of the Trump administration and congressional Republican leaders. Plus: Pritzker signs bill cracking down on pharmacy benefit managers, CBRE lures office leasing team from its new Chicago landlord, Rivian slows EV output to prep for model change and optimism among Illinois business leaders...
Jul 03, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1289
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about the local housing market, including how the Highland Park former homes of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen are now on Airbnb. Plus: Fulton Market landlord defies office market struggle with big refi; CommonSpirit commits $6M to mental health efforts in Chicago; developer buys distressed Oak Brook office complex and plans revamp; and Tempus AI plans $650M note sale to pay down debt. Hosted by Simplecast, an Ads...
Jul 02, 2025•33 min•Ep. 1288
Citadel's Ken Griffin breaks Sotheby's record with bids for two Civil War-era documents. Crain’s Laura Turbay discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: An audit reveals Chicago blew through a key budget reserve in 2024, Gov. Pritzker selects former deputy governor Christian Mitchell for running mate as Lt. Gov. Stratton raises $1M in U.S. Senate bid, Shore Capital targets food and beverage deals with $450 million fund and a Chicago investor buys Tribune Tower retail space. Hosted by Simplecast, an Ads...
Jul 01, 2025•17 min•Ep. 1287
Gov. Pritzker’s numbers tell a mixed story of his record so far as he seeks a third term. Crain’s reporter John Pletz discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Rivian cuts more than 100 salaried jobs in Normal, hospital staffer slams cuts at former Ascension hospitals as Illinois senators step up oversight, a jury awards nearly $60 million in trial over waste-hauling technology and a trading firm is poised to leave its troubled Loop tower home for the Old Post Office. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz ...
Jun 30, 2025•26 min•Ep. 1286
Reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about restaurant business news including Potbelly's turnaround plan, Chicago chefs betting on casino dining, and the first restaurant with direct access to The 606 trail. Plus: Brandon Johnson faces fresh ethics scrutiny after lobbyist donation, Walgreens beats Wall Street expectations ahead of sale to Sycamore Partners, New York firm buys distressed Wacker Drive tower at massive discount and MCA Chicago announces its next board chair. Hosted by Sim...
Jun 27, 2025•24 min•Ep. 1285
Crain’s residential real estate Crain’s reporter Denns Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about local housing market news including how Chicago-area home prices are rising at four times the nation's . Plus: AI gold rush fuels ComEd crackdown on data center speculators, push for mandatory security cameras puts City Hall at odds with biz and the ACLU, three suburban Mariano's set to close and a lakefront hotel goes up for sale as either a hospitality or a housing bet. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz...
Jun 25, 2025•37 min•Ep. 1284
The Trump administration’s federal cuts that have gutted grants threaten the work of Illinois researchers . Crain's contributor Judith Crown talks with host Amy Guth about the potential long-term impacts of such funding cuts. Plus: Gov. Pritzker to announce he's running for a third term; Ronald McDonald House buys neighboring Streeterville property and eyes expansion; GE HealthCare and Stanford Medicine renew partnership to push total body scanning tech; and McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme end partn...
Jun 24, 2025•25 min•Ep. 1283
A year ago, Oberweis Dairy was in bankruptcy. Now it's expanding. Reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about the ice cream brand’s next chapter. Plus: Northern Trust reportedly approached by Bank of New York Mellon about merger, American Bar Association sues Trump over alleged "intimidation" of law firms, a big West Loop apartment tower up for sale and Berlin Packaging to move HQ to Merchandise Mart. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information ...
Jun 23, 2025•18 min•Ep. 1282
A new view is coming to the former John Hancock Center’s old Signature Room space . Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Rachel Herzog discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: United and other airlines suspend some Middle East flights as tensions rise, McDonald's settles Byron Allen's $10 billion ad discrimination lawsuit, study finds Illinois home insurance rates jump 60% in six years and Jefferson Park staple Gale Street Inn abruptly closes. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adsw...
Jun 20, 2025•15 min•Ep. 1281
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about the latest local housing news, including two City Council members who want to drop their wards from Chicago's new anti-gentrification ordinance. Plus: Developers get $69 million construction loan for South Loop tower, local toymakers ask Supreme Court to hear challenge to Trump's global tariffs, Kraft Heinz to remove all artificial dyes by end of 2027 and former Loretto Hospital exec indicted in alleged $300 mi...
Jun 18, 2025•35 min•Ep. 1280
The city pulled the plug on a vote to boost pay for rideshare drivers as Uber backs a statewide union push. Crain’s politics reporter Justin Laurence discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: With latest deal, United Center owners cross $100 million in land purchases; Colorado investor nears big discount for LaSalle Street office tower; city taps developer for $48 million Roseland housing and retail project; and Chicago garners two wins at the prestigious James Beard Awards. Hosted by Simplecast, an A...
Jun 17, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1279
Crain’s reporter John Pletz joins host Amy Guth to discuss the former Illinois House speaker's seven and a half-year sentence . Plus: City pulls plug on rideshare pay vote as Uber backs statewide union push, public transit agencies begin planning for "doomsday" funding scenario, Texas firm pays $32 million for Near North Side apartments and UChicago spinout raises $4 million to take saliva-based cancer test to market. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information ...
Jun 16, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1278
Choose Chicago President and CEO Kristen Reynolds talks with host Amy Guth about the city’s new branding campaign and why she believes it's a “new era” for the city. Plus: Gov. JB Pritzker fires back at D.C. hearing on ICE action, global rare earth fight hits home with Ford plant shutdown in Chicago, University of Chicago gets $25 million from trustee for K–12 education research and YMCA of Chicago taps next CEO. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about...
Jun 13, 2025•21 min•Ep. 1277
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin and host Amy Guth discuss the latest local housing news, including recent activity at the upper end of the market. Plus: Northwestern announces cuts, cost-saving measures as federal funding freeze hits home; American Bar Association defends role reviewing judges against Trump AG's freeze-out; AMA opposes RFK Jr.'s dismantling of vaccine panel, seeks Senate investigation; and CareerBuilder & Monster plans nearly 400 layoffs. Hosted by Sim...
Jun 11, 2025•44 min•Ep. 1276
The state's public universities face a crisis as funding fails to keep up with rising costs. Crain’s contributor Judith Crown talks with host Amy Guth about cutbacks at schools around Illinois. Plus: CoinFlip's billion-dollar ambition is another sign the crypto biz is growing up, Bally's settles suit by white men over Chicago casino stake, more job cuts planned at former Ascension hospitals and Brandon Johnson's COO joins the Obama Foundation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.ad...
Jun 10, 2025•24 min•Ep. 1275
Kraft Heinz is reviewing its options as Berkshire Hathaway exits the board. Crain's reporter Ally Marotti discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Illinois’ $55.2 billion budget "incomplete," Civic Federation president says; North Aurora warehouse sale shows industrial property strength; Chicago’s new highest-paid CEO; and downtown rents jump as supply pipeline dries up. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for adv...
Jun 09, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1274
From skipping cocktails to splitting meals, recession indicators hit Chicago restaurants. Crain's reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about how the combination of lower foot traffic and reeled-in spending is causing restaurant operators to tweak their strategies. Plus: Reinsdorf lines up White Sox sale to another Chicago billionaire, McDonald's keeps "core" inclusion programs despite DEI backlash, Northwestern trumpets AI tool that could open up a glaring health care bottleneck and Gr...
Jun 06, 2025•20 min•Ep. 1273
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin and host Amy Guth talk news from the local housing market, including about how some buyers and sellers are hitting snags under Chicago's new anti-gentrification ordinance. Plus: A massive, 20-year deal with Meta throws a lifeline to an Illinois nuclear power plant, Thoma Bravo raises $34.4 billion for technology investments, Trump’s attorney general steps up fight with American Bar Association and a local investor bets on new Ryan Field with...
Jun 04, 2025•38 min•Ep. 1272
Chicago Fire owner Joe Mansueto revealed his vision for a $650 million soccer stadium in the South Loop. Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Danny Ecker talks with host Amy Guth about the latest plans at The 78. Plus: Lawmakers OK new perks for manufacturers that stick with Illinois, Rivian eyes new debt deal as expected vehicle deliveries slump, distressed State Street building hits market at steep discount and Ascension nears $3.9 billion deal for outpatient centers, including three around...
Jun 03, 2025•21 min•Ep. 1271
What’s next for Chicago transit agencies after a proposed bailout fell apart in Springfield? Crain’s politics reporter Justin Laurence discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: New taxes on sports bets, nicotine products as Democrats pass $55.2 billion budget; feds recommend 12.5 years of prison time for Michael Madigan, United Airlines is bulking up again at O'Hare; and Blues affiliate launches basic health plan for part-time and seasonal workers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.ads...
Jun 02, 2025•24 min•Ep. 1270
Half of C-suite executives say tariff and artificial inteligence anxieties are driving major business decisions . Crain’s reporter John Pletz discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Ulta tops estimates as beauty demand bucks consumer pullback, GTCR slams FTC in court as it fights to save $627 million deal, Skittles removes controversial additive targeted by RFK Jr. and Art Institute president returns following in-flight misconduct probe. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com ...
May 30, 2025•20 min•Ep. 1269
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin chats with host Amy Guth about news from the local market, including how Chicago home prices are still rising — and faster than almost anywhere else. Plus: Fitch downgrades Chicago's financial outlook to "negative," Cboe executive steps down weeks after Craig Donohue gets top job, New York firm nears deal to buy Wacker Drive skyscraper, Economic Club picks its next board chair and University of Chicago lands more than $18 million for new ins...
May 28, 2025•35 min•Ep. 1268
Crain's latest list may be the final appearance of what has long been the largest public company in the Chicago area. Reporter Jack Grieve talks about this year’s rankings with host Amy Guth. Plus: Jenner & Block wins ruling blocking Trump’s executive order, court upholds dismissal of AbbVie-Allergan merger suit, Trump Tower to pay $4.8 million to settle Chicago River pollution lawsuit and Beyoncé helps drive Chicago hotel bookings above Messi’s record. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz compa...
May 27, 2025•14 min•Ep. 1267
Summer vacation travel to and from Europe looks weak, an ill sign for airlines, Chicago tourism and O’Hare. Crain's reporter John Pletz discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Investors rescue Lion Electric from bankruptcy but idled Joliet plant will remain dark, pharmas push back as deadline looms for contentious drug discount bill, Bison Gear to lay off 167 workers in St. Charles and Wrigley Field close to landing 2027 All-Star Game. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswiz...
May 23, 2025•18 min•Ep. 1266
Crain's residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about news from the local housing market, including Dolton's plan to take Pope Leo XIV's childhood home through eminent domain. Plus: The Red Line extension is now a $5.75 billion gamble for the CTA and taxpayers, Motorola Solutions nears $4.5 billion deal for radio maker Silvus, developer proposes residential redevelopment at Blue Man Group's longtime Lakeview home and Northwestern's Kellogg School launching new pro...
May 21, 2025•37 min•Ep. 1265
