Business & Economy
The latest on new businesses, economic trends, market shifts, and the people driving the local economy.

Lollapalooza 2026 aftershow lineup revealed before main lineup
Over 80 acts, including Empire of the Sun and Major Lazer, have just been announced for Lollapalooza's 2026 aftershows, even though the main festival lineup is still months away, according to WGN-TV a

Driver Critically Injures Pedestrian; Aunt May Face Charges
Just three weeks after 19-year-old Sarah Jenkins received her full driver's license, she critically injured Mark Thompson, 62, in a downtown crosswalk on Tuesday.

Reno residential conversion permit issued for adaptive reuse project
A single permit issued this week in downtown Reno quietly greenlights the transformation of a historic commercial building into dozens of new homes, marking a pivotal moment for the city's housing fut

Northalsted Market Days 2026 Reveals Star-Studded Headliner Lineup
Northalsted Market Days 2026 will take place August 7-9 on Halsted Street between Addison and Belmont avenues.

Federal Judge Orders Release of Mother Detained by ICE
After being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a routine March appointment, Liliana Navarrete was ordered released by a federal judge.

Anthropic Claude AI powers new tools for small business growth
Anthropic is now offering its advanced Claude AI models at prices up to 66.

3 Overlooked Features in Intention.ly’s Platform That Directly Impact Advisor AUM Growth
Many financial advisory firms struggle with marketing despite significant budgets, often due to fragmented strategies. This article highlights three overlooked features within Intention.ly's platform, such as a holistic "Growth Engine" and proprietary AI, that can directly impact advisor AUM growth by providing an integrated, accountable approach.

Junk Removal or Dumpster Rental with All In The Family Junk Removal
Deciding between full-service junk removal or a dumpster rental for clearing debris in Long Island can be challenging. All In The Family Junk Removal offers both options, helping homeowners, renters, and project owners choose the best fit based on the job's demands, volume, and required labor.

No-Cost & No-Pressure: How Derek Rogers Delivers Unbiased Medicare Support in Northeast Florida
Derek Rogers, a local Medicare advisor in Jacksonville, provides no-cost, unbiased support to help Northeast Florida residents navigate the confusing Medicare landscape. He focuses on education and clarity to help clients confidently choose the right plan.

Why Atlanta's Top Families Choose John Mateyko for Comprehensive Financial Planning
John Mateyko, a Fiduciary Financial Planner and Managing Partner of IDEX Financial, offers comprehensive financial planning services for top families in Atlanta and Serenbe. With over two decades of experience, he helps clients balance multiple financial priorities, from retirement and education to wealth preservation and legacy planning.

5 Overlooked Benefits of Outsourcing Customer Support with Ethos Support for Small Business
Outsourcing customer support, particularly with flexible services like Ethos Support, offers small businesses strategic growth opportunities beyond just cost cutting. It provides access to specialized talent, unprecedented operational agility, and superior service consistency through lower agent attrition.

7 Top Business Coaches Dominating 2026, Led by Entrepreneur Magazine's #1 Brad Sugars
Ambitious entrepreneurs often hit a plateau where pure hustle is no longer enough, leading them to seek business coaching. Finding effective guidance in the booming, crowded market of business coaches is challenging, making it crucial to identify coaches with proven systems and verifiable track records.

Illinois Law Requires Speed Limit Tech for Restricted Drivers
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed a bill requiring repeat speeders to use technology to prevent exceeding limits for restricted driving privileges, though the program won't launch until after New Year's Day 2028.

AI's economic impact: Job displacement and UBI solutions
Dario Amodei, CEO of AI powerhouse Anthropic, suggested a universal basic income (UBI) may be needed if AI-driven job displacement permanently reduces labor demand, according to Canadian Affairs .

Popular Puppet Web Series for Adults Raises Over $22K
The web series 'For Alien Eyes Only' has already raised over $22,000 in less than a month for its first official season, demonstrating a powerful shift in how adult-oriented content gets funded.

Bronzeville Trail project launches with soil testing
Environmental soil testing has begun at the abandoned rail site, officially launching the $100 million Bronzeville Trail project.

Kamilla Cardoso posts 26 points, nine boards vs Wings
In a heartbreaking 93-92 loss to the Wings, Kamilla Cardoso exploded for a career-high 26 points, adding nine rebounds and three assists, far surpassing her typical output.

The Bear Season 5 trailer shows restaurant crossroads
A flood, a delivery cut-off, and the building being sold off: these are just some catastrophic challenges facing The Bear restaurant in its newly released final season trailer.

George Armoyan's Clarke Buys Chicago Office Towers, Becomes Debt-Free
In a Chicago office market grappling with record vacancies and looming debt maturities, one major tower, 20 South Clark Street, now operates entirely debt-free.

Michelada Fest Canceled, Returns as Free Pilsen Street Celebration
For the second consecutive year, Michelada Fest has been canceled.

Exclusion fuels Chicago queer hockey growth and visibility
More than one hundred new members joined Chicago Pride Hockey this year, doubling its typical Pride month growth, even as national hockey bodies moved to exclude trans athletes.

Driver Crashes Jeep Into Dunkin' on Chicago's Northwest Side
Two women enjoying their morning coffee at a Chicago Dunkin' were suddenly hospitalized after a 32-year-old woman, driving on a suspended license, accelerated her Jeep directly through the store's fro

Illinois law restricts social media targeting of children
In 2025, reports to the Illinois ICAC Task Force surged by 45% over the previous year, signaling an escalating crisis of online child exploitation.

Netta Walker's 'Keerah' is a playwright debut at Definition Theatre
Seven years after a summer romance between a Black American poet and an Irish writer, a journalist forces them to confront their past in Netta Walker's play 'Keerah', premiering at Definition Theatre.

Illinois House Approves Delinquent Tax Sale Reform
Last year, nearly 7,500 Illinoisans moved to Missouri, where property taxes are less than half what they paid in Illinois, according to Senator Curran .

Chicago Air Quality Unhealthy Through Thursday Morning
Nearly 9.4 million people across the Chicago metropolitan area face an air quality alert due to unhealthy ozone levels, impacting daily life in Illinois and Indiana, reports Newsweek . While residents

CPD officers injured dispersing Near West Side crowd
Five Chicago police officers were struck by an 18-year-old driver's blue sedan, traveling against traffic, as they attempted to disperse a 'teen takeover' crowd early Sunday.

Dr Pepper promotes Creamy Coconut with new microdrama series
Dr Pepper, a brand boasting nearly $4 billion in Q1 revenue, is launching a four-episode social media microdrama, 'It's a Pepper Fling,' to promote its limited-time Creamy Coconut flavor.

Atelier Lincoln Square restaurant closure marks new beginning
Despite holding a coveted Michelin star, Atelier announced its closure due to financial issues in May 2026, only to swiftly reopen in a larger space at 4544 North Western Avenue in October 2026.

Chicago Fire Department Engineer Steven M Decker Dies
Chicago Fire Department Engineer Steven M.