Crain's Daily Gist

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.

Restaurants are getting ready for the removal of coronavirus restrictions June 11, as downtown landlords see a boost with life slowly returning to Chicago’s central business district. Reporters Alby Gallun and Ally Marotti discuss in a roundtable with host Amy Guth. Plus: Pritzker criticizes new ethics rules for state lawmakers; Staples offers $1 billion for Office Depot's consumer unit in new bid; Boeing plans to test ‘curtain of air’ to fight COVID in jet cabins and warns China that a trade impasse threatens its global sway.

Even in Chicago’s hot market, not all homes are selling fast. Reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to take reader questions and recap the latest news in real estate. Plus: Travel restrictions loosen as Chicago's latest COVID measures show the lowest test positivity rate since the pandemic began, Illinois senators approve a plan for a fully elected Chicago school board, ComEd bribery defendants ask a judge to toss some charges and Radio Flyer takes e-bikes and scooters for a spin.

Lawmakers approved a state budget that doesn’t contain tax increases. Political columnist Greg Hinz joins host Amy Guth to explain. Plus: The great supply chain crisis of 2021 is now starting to impact the construction business, First Midwest in $6.5 billion deal with Indiana bank, Ulta's new CEO confronts a beauty business altered by COVID-19 and Chicago clears the way for Mercy Hospital’s new owner.

A health care coalition is launching a new report card that aims to help hospitals and clinics reduce systemic racism and health disparities. Meanwhile, a real estate developer is putting money behind the mayor’s alternative plan to renaming Lake Shore Drive after Black explorer Jean Baptiste Point du Sable. Stephanie Goldberg and A.D. Quig discuss in a reporters’ roundtable with host Amy Guth. Plus: Amtrak details its big expansion plan, Rivian pushes back launch of its battery-powered truck by a month, Boeing to pay $17 million to settle FAA enforcement cases and a big film studio campus is planned for the South Side.

The average home in Chicago is now selling for over 100 percent of the asking price, but home values overall are still rising slower than in other major cities. Reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to explain why that’s not necessarily a bad thing in a recap of this week’s real estate news. Plus: Mayor Lightfoot unveils plan to help hard-hit businesses, Illinois House passes long-awaited weed license bill, Illinois and Discovery Partners Institute team up to monitor COVID in wastewater and the travel rebound gains steam.

THC-infused snacks and candies are increasingly making up a huge share of total weed sales. Reporter John Pletz joins host Amy Guth to explain why Chicago’s deep roots in the food business may give local pot entrepreneurs an edge over the competition. Plus: Lightfoot administration faces more turnover, Chicago more than doubles rent relief funding, Fulton Market development sites hit the market and United Airlines launches its own vaccine lottery.

The Chicago-area saw home sales and prices explode in April. Residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to explain why the market is hotter than it’s been in years. Plus: McDonald's reopening plan is running into opposition from franchisees, Gallagher set to fill Chicago’s Aon vacuum, Illinois Rep. Bobby Rush aims to restart biomedical research disrupted by pandemic and employers are left to take the lead when it comes to wearing masks at work.