News

Black Friday Online Sales Hit Record, Tech Firms Brace for Rail Strike, Manufacturing Growth Slows

Black Friday Online Sales Hit Record Online sales for Black Friday, the shopping day after Thanksgiving that traditionally marks a point of annual profitability for many types of retailers, rose 2.3% from a year earlier to hit a record $9.1 billion this year in the United States, Adobe Analytics reported. Researchers at the tech firm’s data division said overall online sales for Nov. 25 were more than 220% higher than those for an average day of October, with sales boosts led by electronics, toys and

Bed Bath & Beyond Closings Offer Insight Into Future Retail Pullbacks

Few retailers better illustrate the vulnerability of traditional department stores than Bed Bath & Beyond. The home furnishings brand announced the closure of 150 locations across the U.S. in August. Of that total, the company has shared 56 specific locations that will be shuttered over the next several months. The struggling retailer, which saw a 28% decline in net sales during the second quarter, described the closing stores as “underperformers.” Further analysis of the stores being closed offers

Advocate Sherman Hospital Achieves Magnet Recognition

ELGIN – Advocate Sherman Hospital recently attained Magnet recognition, a testament to its continued dedication to high-quality nursing practice. The American Nurses Credentialing Center's Magnet Recognition Program® distinguishes health care organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. This credential is the highest honor and gold standard for professional nursing practice and excellence. Just 9% of U.S. health care organizations have achieved Magnet recognition. Advocate Sherman was

Jobless Claims Edge Higher, Mortgage Applications Rise Again

Jobless Claims Edge Higher Initial claims for unemployment insurance rose 17,000 from the prior week to 240,000 for the week ended Nov. 19, the Labor Department reported Wednesday. The four-week moving average was 226,750, marking an increase of 5,500 from the prior week in a climate where claims remain low by historical standards, with the unemployment rate at 3.7% as of October. Continued claims in all unemployment programs, tracked on a more delayed basis, totaled approximately 1.3 million of the week

US Hoteliers Gradually Make Headway Against Labor Shortage

The pain of labor shortages is starting to ease somewhat from the summer months, but hoteliers still face staffing shortfalls, concentrated largely in the housekeeping and culinary departments. Hoteliers are benefiting from a loosening labor market as perks such as higher salaries, retention bonuses, finder’s fees for new workers, more flexible work schedules, and same-day payments appear to be drawing workers back into the hospitality industry. Davidson Hospitality Group, which manages 80 hotels and

Amazon Said To Lock Out Former Employees After Widespread Layoffs

Amazon has reportedly kicked off the next phase of its widespread downsizing plan, locking out some recently laid-off employees as the retail giant rushes to adapt to a new pandemic reality. The Seattle-based company, which said it expects to shrink its corporate workforce by as many as 10,000 people before the end of 2023, has started shutting some former employees out of its offices, according to an email obtained by The Seattle Times. The cuts are expected to land across several Amazon divisions,

Rail Strike Threat Looms Over Holiday Season, Business Activity

Rail Strike Threat Looms Over Holiday Season A prominent union's resistance to a proposed railroad labor contract puts the industry on the verge of a December strike that could significantly disrupt the peak holiday retail season and could impact the larger economy if it persists. As of Monday, eight of 12 rail labor unions had ratified an agreement worked out earlier this year in talks involving unions, rail companies and federal mediators that temporarily averted a strike in September. In the latest

AAA: Booking Patterns, Cleanliness Among Persistent US Travel Trends

Traveler trends continue to evolve in the U.S., but some recent developments that have emerged in the past few years are here to stay, according to Stacey Barber, AAA's executive director of travel. During a break at the recent BWH Hotel Group's Fifth Annual Women in Leadership Forum in Cleveland, Barber said that travelers are still ranking cleanliness and personalization as chief concerns among their checklists when booking hotels. They're also being less impulsive and paying more attention to planning

Multifamily Developers Lose Confidence, Home Supply Stores Weather Housing Slump, Gen Z Leery About

Multifamily Developer Confidence Declines Single-family builders are not the only ones fretting about what is now a months-long slowdown in housing demand. Multifamily developers are also feeling less confident about prospects for continued high occupancy and rental rates. The National Association of Home Builders’ quarterly multifamily production index, based on surveys measuring apartment builder and developer sentiment, dropped 10 points from the prior period to 32 in the third quarter, with numbers

US Hotel Industry Sets Eighth Weekly Demand Record This Year

The U.S. hotel industry set a weekly demand record for the eighth time this year, selling 25 million room nights in the week ending Nov. 12. The previous record for room nights sold in the 46th week of the year was set in 2018, according to data from CoStar hospitality analytics firm STR, which has collected weekly data for 23 years. U.S. hotels sold 296,000 more room nights in week 46 this year than in 2018 — or 42,000 more room nights every day of the week. Occupancy, however, was 1.9 percentage points

Working From Home Could Eventually Eliminate $522 Billion in US Office Value, Study Finds

More than 2 1/2 years since the pandemic made working from home more common, a study has found employees being in the office only some or no days comes at a heavy cost to the value of U.S. office property that could linger for years. Based on the assumption that some form of work from home is likely here to stay, the loss of value in the U.S. commercial offices may total about $522 billion by 2029 from its pre-pandemic level in 2019, according to a study published Thursday by business school professors

Commercial Projects Boost Construction Starts, Jobless Claims Decline

Commercial Projects Boost Construction Starts Ground-breakings for nonresidential construction projects are outpacing residential starts as housing market sales slow and mortgage rates rise. Data firm Dodge Construction Network reported Thursday that the nonresidential category, which includes most types of commercial projects, saw the value of newly started projects rise 9% from the prior month to about $480.5 billion, while residential construction starts declined 3% to $366.4 billion. For the first 10

Retail Sales Rise, Homebuilder Confidence Drops, Mortgage Applications Rebound

Retail Sales Rise U.S. stores, restaurants and other business providers received some positive momentum heading into the holiday shopping season, as October’s retail sales rose 1.3% from the prior month and 8.3% from October 2021, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. Spending on merchandise, restaurant meals and other types of services totaled $694.5 billion in October. Spending in stores was up 7.5% for the year, with gasoline station expenditures rising 17.8% and food service outlays gaining

Pandemic Reduced US Commute Times as Much as 20%

The sight became a familiar one in many American cities during the worst months of the pandemic: Once bustling streets were devoid of traffic as fewer people traveled to offices amid government lockdowns and remote-work mandates. New government data shows that at least some of that carried over as vaccines were introduced and life began to return to downtowns around the country, with a measurable decline in average commute times persisting into 2021, including in some of the cities where workers have

Tech Job Cuts Soar, Office Attendance Edges Higher, Producer Prices Rise

Tech Job Cuts Soar November was not even half over when a slew of announced layoffs at major technology companies — including Twitter, Salesforce, Lyft and Facebook — sent the industry’s announced tally for the month to 31,200 planned cuts, outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported Tuesday. That’s more than the total 28,207 U.S. technology layoffs announced from January to October of this year, and 366% higher than the 12,761 job cuts announced by the industry during the full month of

Walmart Deploys Robotics To Compete With Amazon in First of New Fulfillment Centers

Walmart, the nation's largest retailer, has opened the first of its four new next-generation fulfillment centers to bolster its distribution network to compete with e-commerce juggernaut Amazon. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company discussed its freshly minted center at 3501 Brandon Road in Elwood, Illinois, near Joliet, during a fiscal 2023 third-quarter earnings call Tuesday. "This 1.1 million-square-foot facility features robotics, machine learning and automated storage resulting in increased

Governor Pritzker Releases Five-Year Forecast Showing Projected Long-term Budgetary Deficits Nearly

Governor Pritzker Releases Five-Year Forecast Showing Projected Long-term Budgetary Deficits Nearly EliminatedIllinois in best fiscal shape in decades  SPRINGFIELD -- The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) released the annual Illinois Economic and Fiscal Policy Report showing under Governor Pritzker’s leadership Illinois is in its best fiscal shape in decades.   “Illinois’ bills are being paid on time, we have over $1 billion in our rainy-day fund, our credit ratings are up and we are

Slow Growth Predicted for Next Two Years, Consumers Expect Lingering Inflation

Slow Growth Seen for Next Two Years Lingering inflation and the rising likelihood of lowered employment ahead are curbing prospects for U.S. economic growth for at least the next two years, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s latest quarterly survey of 38 professional forecasters. Forecasters predict the economy will expand at an annual rate of 1% in the fourth quarter, down from 1.2% in the previous survey. “Over the next three quarters, the panelists also see slower output growth

Grocery-Anchored Shopping Centers May Offer Investors Shelter in an Economic Storm

As the U.S. economy heads toward a likely recession, grocery-anchored shopping centers appear once again to be well positioned to weather the storm, much as they did during the initial stages of the pandemic. Two of the most compelling cases for investment in grocery-anchored retail are its stability during economic distress and its relatively low competition from e-commerce. The pandemic spotlighted both attributes, as grocery sales were among the most resilient in 2020, a time when consumer spending

Middleby acquires maker of bakery mixers

ELGIN — The Middleby Corp. said it has acquired Escher Mixers, an Italian designer and manufacturer of spiral and planetary mixers for the industrial baking industry. Escher Mixers, headquartered in Vicenza, Italy, has annual revenues of $15 million. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Escher's customers include large grocery and retail chains, and they provide established solutions for the artisanal bread and pastry industries. "Escher is a leading provider of innovative dough

Theme Parks Rebound Despite Staffing Struggles, Housing Affordability Worsens, Consumer Sentiment De

Theme Parks Rebounding Despite Staffing Struggles Most major U.S. theme park operators are enjoying the benefits of rising attendance over the past year, as visitors satisfy pent-up demand by buying tickets, food and merchandise at well above year-ago levels. That’s good news for neighboring hotels, stores and other businesses that depend on park traffic. But despite the higher revenue and profits, a recurring theme during the latest quarterly earnings season was that short staffing is preventing these

Property Price Gains Slow Across All US Regions

 Investor sentiment toward commercial real estate appears to have cooled as interest rates rise along with concerns about the broader economy. Even the Northeast region that posted the strongest commercial property price gains in the third quarter saw price growth slow dramatically over those three months, according to the latest CoStar Commercial Repeat Sale Indices, which monitor price differences in repeat sales of the same property. The Northeast equal-weighted pricing index advanced by 1.8%, the

Markets Applaud Inflation Drop, Jobless Claims Move Higher, Mortgage Rates Head Back Up

Markets Applaud Inflation Drop Stock markets reacted with enthusiasm to Thursday’s Labor Department report of lowered annual inflation for a fourth consecutive month as the October rate of 7.7% dropped from the prior month’s 8.2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed more than 1,200 points for a 3.7% gain for the day, even as inflation remained near 40-year highs. The S&P 500 rose nearly 4,000 points for a 5.5% increase, its biggest jump since April 2020. Even the Nasdaq Composite Index, filled with

Cracks Finally Appear in the Job Market

Don’t be fooled by the strong jobs report that arrived last Friday. While nonfarm payrolls grew by 261,000 positions in October, and revisions to the prior two months added another 29,000 positions, 40% of the net new jobs were in the most counter-cyclical sectors — education, health care and government, which are mostly population-serving sectors — where employers have faced hiring challenges and significant backlogs of openings remain unfilled.Employment in health care has experienced among the

Port Traffic Slows Ahead of Holidays, Court Denies Bid to Block Albertsons Dividend, Mortgage Applic

Port Traffic Slows Ahead of Holidays U.S. container ports will remain relatively quiet for the rest of 2022, even as retailers expect a busy holiday season, according to the latest monthly tracking of cargo imports by the National Retail Federation and consulting firm Hackett Associates. “Cargo levels levels that historically peak in the fall peaked in the spring this year as retailers concerned about port congestion, port and rail labor negotiations and other supply chain issues stocked up far in advance

Nation's Largest Homebuilder Hit by Effects of Rising Interest Rates

The nation's largest homebuilder is walking away from some of its land deals as the rapid rise in interest rates and upended lending markets leads to homeowners canceling or delaying sales even with the builder adding incentives. D.R. Horton, which operates in 105 markets in 33 states, said its cancellation rate for new homes spiked to 32% in the quarter ended Sept. 30, up from 19% in the same quarter last year. Net sales orders for the quarter slid 15% to 13,582 homes and were down 10% in value compared

US Retail Leasing Market Remains on a Roll, but Can It Last?

Retail tenants continued expanding in the third quarter by leasing just over 53 million square feet of store space and remaining resilient in the face of growing concerns surrounding the trajectory of the U.S. economy The total amount leased is expected to increase as deals completed near the end of the quarter are recorded. Once those deals are added, the third-quarter total is estimated to reach 68 million square feet, putting the U.S. retail market on pace for its best year for leasing activity since

Commercial Lending Declines, Office Attendance Edges Lower, Restaurant Sales Rise as Traffic Drops

Commercial Lending Declines Commercial and multifamily lending cooled considerably in the third quarter, as borrowers and lenders responded to soaring mortgage interest rates. The Mortgage Bankers Association trade group said Tuesday that loan originations for the quarter declined 13% from year-earlier levels. “After a strong first half of the year, rising interest and capitalization rates began to affect deal volume during the third quarter,” Jamie Woodwell, the trade group’s head of commercial real

Commercial Projects Gain Momentum, Business Costs and Aging Drive Migration, Air Cargo Demand Declin

Commercial Projects Gain Momentum Nonresidential projects are helping to make up for slowing construction as the housing market cools, with a significant rise in projects in October such as data centers, hotels and office-to-lab conversions entering the planning and development pipeline. The monthly momentum index report released Monday by data firm Dodge Construction Network showed the volume of new nonresidential commercial projects rising 13% from September, with nonresidential projects from

Hotel Industry Still Faces Design and Procurement Hurdles

CHICAGO — Supply chain issues and higher costs are seemingly here to stay, but hoteliers and developers are better equipped to handle them with a healthy dose of pre-planning. Speaking during the 2022 fall conference of the Hospitality Asset Managers Association, Karel Steiner, principal at Ajax Consulting Services, said the only constant for hotel design and procurement since the start of the pandemic has been change. "The last few years have been challenging with so many things changing and continuing

Office Leases Are Fewer, Smaller Than Before the Pandemic

Office leasing activity this year is well off its pace set in 2021, according to CoStar lease comparable data. The slowdown comes as high inflation and rising interest rates have started taking their toll on the economy. Compounding the situation, office leasing also hasn’t rebounded fully from work-from-home arrangements that became the norm at the height of the pandemic. The number of new office leases signed in the third quarter was the lowest in six quarters. Deal activity was 18% lower than in the

Court Halts Albertsons Dividend, Jobless Rate Stays Low

Court Halts Albertsons Dividend A state court in Washington has put a temporary halt to a planned $4 billion dividend payout by grocery chain Albertsons, which was scheduled to take place Monday ahead of the company’s proposed acquisition by rival Kroger in a $24.6 billion deal. Attorneys general in Washington, California, Illinois and the District of Columbia filed suit Nov. 2 to block the payment on grounds that the planned merger was still far from receiving federal approval. The suit also said the

Holly Days Returns to Downtown Elgin

 “Holly Days” planned to enhance shopping, dining and drinking in Downtown Elgin throughout the holiday season  Holly Days will kick-off on November 26th for Small Business Saturday with a variety of events being planned to draw shoppers and visitors to support local businesses throughout the entire holiday season. On November 26th the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin, in partnership with the City of Elgin, will host a "Holiday Cheers" beverage crawl at over twenty participating businesses.

Holiday Shoppers Expected To Ring Up 6% to 8% More Spending for Retailers

Retailers expect holiday spending to increase 6% to 8% over last year, with some consumers dealing with rising inflation and higher prices by dipping into savings or whipping out credit cards to shop. The National Retail Federation released a 2022 forecast for holiday shopping it expects to be healthy "even with recent inflationary challenges." Retail sales from November through December will range from between $942.6 billion to $960.4 billion, according to the trade group. That's up from $889.3 billion

Homebuyers Move Farther From Work, Jobless Claims Hold Steady, Mortgage Rates Drop

Homebuyers Move Farther From Work Homebuyers are moving a record distance away from where they now live, encouraged in part by work from home policies that allow them to settle into houses within their budgets, according to a National Association of Realtors survey. The trade group also said that, at 26% of all sales, the share of first-time buyers in its latest reporting was the lowest since it began tracking home-buying data. That could reflect rising prices and mortgage rates that are keeping

Top Sales

A prominent industrial deal handled by JLL and a multifamily disposition arranged by Eastdil Secured are among the top third quarter property sales recognized by CoStar. As big ticket items involving sizable investments, commercial property transactions often have a wider impact within the local community. CoStar recognized the largest deals completed during the third quarter in their respective markets. Here are the Chicago property sales selected as the third quarter 2022 winners of the CoStar Power

Pay Rises With Employment, Mortgage Applications Drop

Pay and Jobs IncreasePrivate-sector employment increased by 239,000 jobs in October, with annual pay rising 7.7% from a year earlier, according to the latest monthly tracking by payroll services firm ADP and Stanford University’s Digital Economy Lab. “This is a really strong number given the maturity of the economic recovery, but the hiring was not broad-based,” ADP Chief Economist Nela Richardson said in a statement Wednesday, referring to the job increase. “Goods producers, which are sensitive to

Mall Giant Simon Property Touts Resurrection of Brick-and-Mortar Retail

Simon Property Group, the nation's biggest mall owner, reported an increase in its occupancy and rents despite the rocky economic environment, with its CEO touting brick-and-mortar retail as "where the action is." The Indianapolis-based real estate investment trust released its third-quarter earnings Tuesday, with funds from operations of $1.11 billion, up about 1.4%, for the period ending Sept. 30. Net income was $539 million, down from $679.9 million in the prior-year period. The company raised its

LOCAL MCDONALD’S ORGANIZATION DONATES OVER 5,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS

  LOCAL MCDONALD’S ORGANIZATION DONATES OVER 5,000 VOLUNTEER HOURSOctober 27, 2022 – Bear Family Restaurants, your local McDonald’s franchise owner/operator, is excited to announce that their employees have volunteered over 5,000 hours through their volunteer program. Established in 2018, the program was created to further their mission to ‘Serve with Significance’ in their communities and make a positive difference in thousands of people’s lives. Their commitment to the guests they serve extends far

Housing Affordability and Pending Sales Drop, CEO Turnover Rises, Business Indicators Show Caution

Housing Affordability and Pending Sales Drop Home affordability took a hit along with the number of contracts for pending sales in September, the latest signs of in a steady slowdown in the housing industry. The Mortgage Bankers Association trade group said the national median monthly payment that prospective homebuyers applied for in September rose 5.5% from the prior month to reach $1,941. This marks continued erosion in buying power relative to household income, which has not kept up with home price

Illinois Department of Commerce News

    Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced nearly $3 million in funding to support local tourism promotional efforts across the state through the Illinois Travel and Tourism Grant Program.   DCEO has prioritized local tourism recovery through multiple grant funding efforts and opportunities, including $25 million for two rounds of the Tourism Attraction and Festivals Grant Program, $4 million for Route 66 tourism funding,

Staffing Woes Cut Restaurant Hours, Personal Spending Rises, Wedding Boom Boosts Demand

Staffing Woes Cut Restaurant Hours A combination of staffing struggles, supply shortages and rising costs have dramatically reduced operating hours of U.S. restaurants from before the pandemic. The issue not only is frustrating loyal customers but can make it harder for restaurateurs to meet rents, payrolls and other overhead. A new report from Chicago-based restaurant analytics firm Datassential said that during October the nation’s 763,000 brick-and-mortar eateries saw an average reduction in weekly

A Recession Is Coming But Real Estate Could Be a Good Hedge, Economists Say

William Pattison is sorry but someone has to say it — a recession is coming. In fact, Pattison, head of the real estate research and strategy team for MetLife Investment Management, apologized a few times while delivering the dreary news to the thousands of executives attending a panel on Urban Land Institute's semi-annual real estate economic forecast. The forecast points to a recession hitting next year, which would have implications on real estate ranging from difficulty in accessing capital, a drop

The Pirate Island Educational Exhibit Sails into the Gail Borden Public Library Friday Oct. 7 throug

The excitement and adventure of “Pirate Island Educational Exhibit” sails into the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove, Elgin, Illinois starting Friday, October 7. It is a fantasy world of Pirate adventure brought to life with interactive games, stories and STEM activities that include navigation, compass and pulleys. The centerpiece for the exhibit from the Miami Children's Exhibit is a pirate ship in which children can go in and explore. At Pirate Academy, visitors have the opportunity to walk on

ComEd Toolkit Helps Customers Navigate Purchasing an Electric Vehicle and a brief introduction

ComEd Toolkit Helps Customers Navigate Purchasing an Electric VehicleResource is a one-stop-shop for navigating EV market options, available incentives, rate plans, and charging needs  CHICAGO (September 29, 2022) – Because navigating the emergent electric vehicle (EV) market can be intimidating, ComEd has created a one-stop-shop for those considering an EV purchase. The ComEd EV Toolkit provides information on savings, benefits and incentives for the purchase of EVs, along with an overview of EV brands

Smart Business Branding in 2022

You've just embarked on one of the most intimidating yet rewarding ventures imaginable — you've started your own small business. While challenging, owning a business can be lucrative and fulfilling. Now that the groundwork for your business has been laid, it's time to consider your company's brand. Creating a strong brand for your company is integral to your success, so where do you start?What Is Branding? Many people believe a logo is the majority of a company's brand. While logos are important,

Santas Village 2023 Season Pass ONLY $79.99

2023 Season Pass  $79.99Begin your new memories with a Season Pass! Purchase a season pass and receive admission for the remainder of 2022 as well as May - Sept 2023! Season pass holders receive a host of benefits and valuable discounts on dining, merchandise and more. Passes are valid for unlimited fun on all rides, shows, animal encounters and Santa Springs! Each pass is issued to a specific person and is non-transferable.BENEFITS: - Admission every operating day of the season to both the amusement and

OrthoIllinois Open New Clinic in Elgin

OrthoIllinois Opens New Clinic in Elgin  ELGIN, Ill. (Sept. 9, 2022) – OrthoIllinois, a leading bone and joint health care provider in northern Illinois, expanded access to orthopedic subspecialty services with the opening of its new, larger state-of-the-art, 49,000-square-foot, Elgin clinic at 1550 N. Randall Rd., conveniently located right off the I-90 exit.    Construction on the clinic started in July 2021 and the new location opened on Monday, August 15th. The enhanced facility replaces the former

Three U-46 Academies - at Streamwood, Larkin, and Bartlett High Schools - Receive National Certification

Three U-46 Academies Receive National Certification  ‘Magnet’ status given to academies at Streamwood, Larkin, Bartlett     ELGIN - Three of School District U-46’s specialized academies — at Streamwood, Larkin, and Bartlett high schools — have been recognized as nationally certified magnet schools for providing high-quality, innovative educational options to families and students that promote choice, diversity and academic excellence.    Of the two remaining academies in U-46, South Elgin High School’s

Clean Vehicle Credit comes with caveats

Clean Vehicle Credit comes with caveats  The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) includes a wide range of tax incentives aimed at combating the dire effects of climate change. One of the provisions receiving considerable attention from consumers is the expansion of the Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit (IRC Section 30D), now known as the Clean Vehicle Credit.   While the expanded credit seems promising, questions have arisen about just how immediate its impact will be. Here’s what you need

OrthoIllinois Welcomes Husna Siddiqui, M.D. to Medical Team

OrthoIllinois Welcomes Husna Siddiqui, M.D. to Medical Team  ROCKFORD, Ill. (September 6, 2022) – OrthoIllinois, a leading bone and joint health care provider in northern Illinois, continues to expand its medical team, welcoming Rheumatologist Husna Siddiqui M.D. to the organization’s Elgin and McHenry locations this month. In her practice at OrthoIllinois, Dr. Siddiqui treats all varieties of adult rheumatology and autoimmune conditions including arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis,

IRS Offers Penalty Relief for 2019, 2020 Tax Years

IRS Offers Penalty Relief for 2019, 2020 Tax Years  While the recently announced student loan debt relief has captured numerous headlines, it’s estimated that another federal relief program announced on the same day will provide more than $1.2 billion in tax refunds or credits. Specifically, IRS Notice 2022-36 extends penalty relief to both individuals and businesses who missed the filing deadlines for certain 2019 and/or 2020 tax and information returns. The relief covers many of the most commonly filed

CENTRO DE INFORMACIÓN NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

CENTRO DE INFORMACIÓN NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTORElgin, IL—Dianha Ortega-Ehreth has been named the new Executive Director of Centro de Información, a leading non-profit organization serving Hispanic and immigrant communities in Elgin, Carpentersville, and Hanover Park. Ortega-Ehreth started August 15, 2022 and brings nearly 30 years of professional and volunteer experience working in a variety of non-profit organizations. “We are happy to announce the appointment of Dianha as Centro’s new Executive

World Leaders Forum Inspirational Series Features Edward James Olmos and Rick Najera

World Leaders Forum Inspirational Series Features Edward James Olmos and Rick NajeraHosted by Jacqueline Ruiz (ELGIN, IL August 22, 2022) – The World Leaders Forum Inspirational Series featuring actor, director and producer Edward James Olmos was held Monday, August 22, at Judson University in Elgin.  More than 400 attendees came to Judson’s Herrick Chapel to hear Olmos speak. Olmos is best known for his roles as Lieutenant Martin “Marty” Castillo in “Miami Vice” (1984–1989) and has appeared in

ESO news: musicians' contract agreement, new concerts, fiscal stability, enhanced community engagem

ESO, Musicians agree to two-year contract, helping secure fiscal sustainability while enhancing community engagement  (August 17, 2022 -- Elgin, Ill.) The Elgin Symphony Orchestra (ESO) and its musicians have agreed on a mutually beneficial two-year contract that lays the groundwork for sustainability and growth for the award-winning Symphony, now in its 73rd year. The agreement comes as the ESO enters its second season of new management, is actively auditioning music director candidates, and plans for

OrthoIllinois Welcomes Neal Shah, M.D. to Medical Team

OrthoIllinois Welcomes Neal Shah, M.D. to Medical Team  ROCKFORD, Ill. (Aug. 15, 2022) – OrthoIllinois, a leading bone and joint health care provider in northern Illinois, continues to expand its medical team, welcoming Interventional Pain Management physician Neal Shah, M.D. to the organization’s Elgin location this month. In his practice at OrthoIllinois, Dr. Shah treats patients with chronic pain conditions. He has a special interest in regional anesthetic options and advanced therapies like

Gov. Pritzker Announces $34.6 Billion Investment in Transportation Over Six Years

Gov. Pritzker Announces $34.6 Billion Investment in Transportation Over Six YearsNew program creates economic opportunity and jobs, promotes quality of life, and improves safety on transportation systems throughout Illinois  SPRINGFIELD — Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today to announce a $34.6 billion program to improve roads, bridges, transit, rail, airports, and ports over the next six years. This funding represents a robust commitment to invest in people

Gov. Pritzker Announces Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly to Expand Choices in Care for

Gov. Pritzker Announces Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly to Expand Choices in Care for Illinois SeniorsServices for qualifying adults 55+ include holistic care planning, long term supports, therapies, medications, mental health care, and hospital care SPRINGFIELD — Governor JB Pritzker along with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) today announced the launch of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) to better meet the needs of older adults across Illinois.

Congregation Kneseth Israel to Celebrate 130 Years

Congregation Kneseth Israel to Celebrate 130 Years  Since 1892, Congregation Kneseth Israel has been the heart of the Jewish Community in the Fox River Valley. Congregation Kneseth Israel (CKI) is extremely proud to be celebrating its 130th Anniversary this year with a number of exciting events.   Over the years, the congregation has changed to reflect the needs and demographics of the congregation. "In an age when too many congregations are faltering, it is not enough to survive; we need to create

CHIPS Act poised to boost U.S. businesses

CHIPS Act poised to boost U.S. businesses  The Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act (CHIPS Act) was recently passed by Congress as part of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. President Biden is expected to sign it into law shortly. Among other things, the $52 billion package provides generous tax incentives to increase domestic production of semiconductors, also known as chips. While the incentives themselves are narrowly targeted, the expansion of semiconductor production

Governor Pritzker Issues Monkeypox Virus Public Health Emergency Declaration to Coordinate Statewide

Governor Pritzker Issues Monkeypox Virus Public Health Emergency Declaration to Coordinate Statewide ResponseCHICAGO—Governor Pritzker issued a proclamation today declaring the monkeypox virus a public health emergency and declaring the state of Illinois a disaster area regarding the disease. The declaration, which applies to the entire state, will allow the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to utilize resources for coordinating logistics across state agencies, quickly and efficiently aid in the

Illinois Department of Labor Finalizes Domestic Worker Rules

Illinois Department of Labor Finalizes Domestic Worker RulesClarifies compensable hours, record keeping, standards for meals and lodging  SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has finalized rules for the employment of domestic workers to better define pay, record keeping, and other requirements that apply to domestic work.   The rules follow a statutory change that extended the protections of the Minimum Wage Law to domestic workers, who had previously been excluded from

Businesses: Act Now to Make the Most out of Bonus Depreciation

Businesses: Act now to make the most out of bonus depreciation  The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) significantly boosted the potential value of bonus depreciation for taxpayers — but only for a limited duration. The amount of first-year depreciation available as a so-called bonus will begin to drop from 100% after 2022, and businesses should plan accordingly.  Bonus depreciation in a nutshell   Bonus depreciation has been available in varying amounts for some time. Immediately prior to the passage of the

On the Block: A Discussion on the Proposed ''Labor Rights'' Amendment

On the Block: A Discussion on the Proposed "Labor Rights" Amendment  Recently, Chamber President & CEO Todd Maisch had the opportunity to appear on WCIU-TV in Chicago for an episode of "On the Block" hosted by Brandon Pope. The segment was centered around SJRCA11, a proposed amendment to the state constitution that will appear on ballots this fall. Maisch spoke in opposition. This amendment would permanently enshrine pro-labor legislative desires into the state constitution and says the

Help Prevent Prescription Drug Cost Increases - A Message from President & CEO Maisch

Help Prevent Prescription Drug Cost Increases - A Message from President & CEO Maisch  This past legislative session, Illinois lawmakers came very close to passing legislation that would have increased the cost of prescription drugs, and we need to make sure they don’t try it again. That’s why the Illinois Chamber is leading a new initiative to urge lawmakers to find real solutions to address prescription drug costs, instead of implementing misguided government mandates that do nothing to improve access or

Gov. Pritzker Announces Record-Breaking $445 Million in FY 2022 Adult-Use Cannabis Tax Revenue

Gov. Pritzker Announces Record-Breaking $445 Million in FY 2022 Adult-Use Cannabis Tax Revenue50% Increase in Total Tax Reported from Adult-Use Cannabis as Sales Exceed $1.5 Billion CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker announced today that the State of Illinois has seen a 50% increase in total tax reported from adult-use cannabis, from $297.7 million in fiscal year 2021 to $445.3 million in fiscal year 2022. Total adult-use cannabis sales also rose 50%, increasing from $1 billion to $1.5 billion,

Russo Power Equipment is Putting Down Roots in Wisconsin

Russo Power Equipment is Putting Down Roots in Wisconsin New Berlin, WI: Russo Power Equipment, as a top dealer of land maintenance equipment and parts, is bringing more than 50 years of industry expertise to the Greater Milwaukee area later this year. The company’s newest location features a large showroom as well as an extensive warehouse and expert-level service department. This area is the perfect region to expand Russo’s footprint because of its numerous municipalities, impressive Parks & Rec

Illinois expands health care coverage for immigrant adults to include those aged 42 and up

Illinois expands health care coverage for immigrant adults to include those aged 42 and upSPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services is expanding the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program to now provide health care coverage to undocumented immigrant adults and certain legal permanent residents aged 42 and over.   Building on the first-in-the-nation Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors program, Illinois in March launched the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults program

Public meeting July 28 on development new statewide electric vehicle infrastructure plan

Public meeting July 28 on development new statewide electric vehicle infrastructure planSPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that it will host a virtual public meeting July 28 to provide information and get feedback on the development of the state’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure plan, the latest in Gov. JB Pritzker’s efforts to have one million electric vehicles registered in Illinois by 2030.   “Illinois has emerged as a leader in embracing electric vehicles

'Block Party in a Box'' rolled out to Elgin residents

‘Block Party in a Box’ rolled out to Elgin residents  Reservations available on a first-come, first-served basisElgin, IL - The City of Elgin announces its ‘Block Party in a Box’ is available for reservations. The ‘Block Party in a Box’ (BPB) is a trailer filled with all things necessary to host a block party and get to know your neighbors: tables, chairs, pop-up tents, entertainment and yard games, barricades and safety signs. The BPB is free to reserve, and City staff will handle drop-off and pick-up.

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988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Coming to Illinois

Pritzker Administration Announces Opening of Electric Vehicle Rebate Program for Illinois Residents

Pritzker Administration Announces Opening of Electric Vehicle Rebate Program for Illinois ResidentsProgram offers $4,000 rebate for purchase of an electric passenger vehicle or $1,500 rebate for purchase of an electric motorcycle  SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Director John J. Kim today announced the opening of Illinois’ Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate Program. The program was created under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) passed by the General Assembly and signed by

Illinois Family Relief Plan to Begin July 1

Illinois Family Relief Plan to Begin July 1   Residents will save on gas, groceries, property taxes, and school supplies with tax holidays. Nearly $2 billion in relief was provided to residents through tax cuts and direct payments. Comptroller plans to roll out tax rebates in September CHICAGO — Beginning tomorrow, the Illinois Family Relief Plan will go into effect, making good on the promise by Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly to provide relief on the grocery tax, gas tax, and property

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois Appoints Dr. Kari Rockwell as New CEO

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois Appoints Dr. Kari Rockwell as New CEO Northern Illinois – Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois (GSNI) announced today that Dr. Kari Rockwell has been appointed new CEO of the organization. Dr. Rockwell will succeed current CEO Fiona Cummings and assume responsibilities on August 1, 2022. Cummings has served as the organization’s CEO since 2013 and will be retiring on June 30, 2022.   Dr. Rockwell brings decades of educational leadership to her new position at GSNI. Formerly

U-46 Board of Education to Honor Financial Services Department

U-46 Board of Education to Honor Financial Services Department  Department recognized for its clear and transparent financial reports    ELGIN - School District U-46’s Financial Services department will be honored with an “Accent on Achievement” during Monday night’s Board of Education meeting. The department recently earned two awards for producing clear and transparent financial reports.   The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) awarded the District with a Certificate of

Statewide Unemployment Rate Stable, Payroll Jobs Up in May

Statewide Unemployment Rate Stable, Payroll Jobs Up in May   SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.6 percent, while nonfarm payrolls increased by +12,800 in May, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. The April monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +9,300 to +6,400 jobs. The April unemployment rate was unchanged from

Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation to Modernize Infrastructure Improvement Process

Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation to Modernize Infrastructure Improvement ProcessDesign-build project delivery method bolsters Gov. Pritzker’s historic capital program, improving infrastructure throughout Illinois  CHICAGO – Gov. JB Pritzker today signed into law legislation allowing for the implementation of design-build project delivery, an efficient, alternative method for completing the state’s infrastructure improvements.   Senate Bill 2981 creates the Innovations for Transportation Infrastructure

Gov. Pritzker Announces Nation-Leading Investments in Early Childhood

Gov. Pritzker Announces Nation-Leading Investments in Early ChildhoodOver $175 million in funding to support child care providers & families   CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) today announced new investments that strengthen and grow Illinois’ early childhood education and care field. These investments continue advancing Illinois as a leading state in the nation for children, families, and the early childhood workforce that support them.   The changes

Governor Pritzker Signs Family Bereavement Leave Act Into Law

Governor Pritzker Signs Family Bereavement Leave Act Into LawSB3120 requires paid leave for pregnancy loss or other situations impacting fertility, adoption, or pregnancy Chicago—Governor JB Pritzker today signed the Family Bereavement Act, an amendment to the Child Bereavement Leave Act that expands leave time requirements to cover pregnancy loss, failed adoptions, unsuccessful reproductive procedures, and other diagnoses or events impacting pregnancy and fertility. SB3120 also mandates leave after the

Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation to Expand Access to Higher Education

Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation to Expand Access to Higher EducationBills aimed at increasing education equity across Illinois CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker today signed legislation designed to increase access to Illinois’ higher education system, close equity gaps, and improve student protections and operational effectiveness. The bills expand resources available to students and build on the administration’s efforts to expand equitable access to public universities and community colleges.  House Bill

City of Elgin to Participate in National ‘Arts & Economic Prosperity 6’ Study

  City of Elgin to participate in the national ‘Arts & Economic Prosperity 6’ study       Ishti is performing in the Going Dutch Festival presented by Side Street Studio Arts at the Elgin Art Showcase. Photo by Roberto Martinez, 2017.       Data collection for a most comprehensive study of the economic impact of nonprofit arts and culture industry underwayElgin, IL - The City of Elgin is pleased to announce its

ComEd/Exelon Racial Equity Capital Fund Update

Exelon-FUNDED $36 Million Racial equity Capital fund, administered by rockcreek, ACCEPTING applications from minority-Owned Businesses in SERVICE AREAS  RockCreek-managed fund, in partnership with minority banks and community-based lending institutions, will provide needed capital to help minority-owned businesses grow, create jobs, and expand in underserved and under-resourced communities served by Exelon. Chicago, Ill. (May 4, 2022) – Exelon announced today that RockCreek, one of the world’s largest

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois Announce Top 10 Girl Scout Cookie Entrepreneurs for 2022

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois Announce Top 10 Girl Scout Cookie Entrepreneurs for 2022   Northern Illinois – From December 13, 2021–March 27, 2022, local Girl Scouts sold Girl Scout Cookies in innovative ways while dealing with unprecedented cookie inventory challenges. Girl Scouts sold cookies virtually on their cookie business websites, hosted pop-up cookie booths in their neighborhoods, worked with DoorDash through a new national partnership, and sold cookies safely in-person door-to-door or at

ECKER CENTER SPRING FUNDRAISER “SELF CARE FOR MENTAL HEALTH”

ECKER CENTER SPRING FUNDRAISER “SELF CARE FOR MENTAL HEALTH” ELGIN, IL, April 2022 – Ecker Center for Behavioral Health will be offering the community a new means of supporting their cause this spring by kicking off Mental Health Awareness Month with a virtual event themed “Self-Care for Mental Health.”  There are a variety of ways in which supporters may participate in this event, as follows:  Order a May Day Basket filled with fresh flowers and other goodies just in time for May Day.Join a Self-Care

Elgin Community College launching grant-funded recovery support specialist programs this fall

Elgin Community College launching grant-funded recovery support specialist programs this fall   Elgin Community College is among a select few Illinois colleges to be awarded a state grant by the Illinois Department of Human Services to support a new program for Certified Recovery Support Specialists and Certified Peer Recovery Specialists, according to a news release from the college. The program will begin accepting applications this spring, with classes launching in the fall. ECC is one of only

TraducciónNow Language Service Provider EARNS BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU ACCREDITATION

TraducciónNow Language Service Provider EARNS BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU ACCREDITATION  Elgin, IL – April 9, 2022 - Becoming an Accredited Business with the Better Business Bureau is an honor not accorded to all businesses; because not all businesses meet eligibility standards. TraducciónNow Language Service Provider is pleased to announce today that it has met all BBB standards and is now an Accredited Business. “Accreditation in the BBB is by invitation only” says Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the

Kane County Health Department Celebrates One Year Anniversary of IRIS

Kane County Health Department Celebrates One Year Anniversary of IRISApril 7, 2022- The Kane County Health Department’s (KCHD) Integrated Referral & Intake System (IRIS) celebrated its first year of providing Kane County individuals and families access to services they need. This free, web-based communication tool created by the University of Kansas helps organizations connect the families they serve to the right resources in the community, providing transparency to the organizations and a closed loop for

HIGHWAY 20 DESIGNATED AS MEDAL OF HONOR HIGHWAY

HIGHWAY 20 DESIGNATED AS MEDAL OF HONOR HIGHWAYIllinois passes SJR 28 to honor Illinois’ Medal of Honor recipients  Senate Joint Resolution 28 designating U.S. Highway 20 as Medal of Honor Highway unanimously passed today as Illinois joins the effort to rename the 3,365 miles of Highway 20 spanning the nation from the Pacific to Atlantic Oceans. “This partnership of states honoring their Medal of Honor recipients amplifies our deep appreciation and recognition of their heroism,” said IDVA Director Terry

Following ICC Request, Largest Regulated Electric and Gas Utilities Offer Consumer Protections to Pr

Following ICC Request, Largest Regulated Electric and Gas Utilities Offer Consumer Protections to Prevent DisconnectionsChicago, IL - At the request of the ICC and consumer advocate groups, Illinois’ largest investor-owned electric and gas companies have agreed to make available more flexible, and generous deferred payment arrangements for low-income customers unable to pay utility bills fully or on time due to COVID 19 and inflation. Partners in this effort include the Office of the Illinois Attorney

Elgin Symphony Orchestra announces 2022-23 season schedule

Elgin Symphony Orchestra announces 2022-23 season schedule  New family-friendly pricing allows a family of 4 to attend for $40  (March 25, 2022 -- Elgin, Ill.) The award-winning Elgin Symphony Orchestra (ESO) announced its 2022-23 season schedule at its Prelude Reception Thursday, March 24, at Highland Lofts in Elgin, Illinois. The ESO’s 73rd season is filled with masterpieces by both contemporary and historic composers, as well as holiday concerts. Tickets are now on sale at www.ElginSymphony.org, or

Elgin Symphony Orchestra announces finalists in music director search

Elgin Symphony Orchestra announces finalists in music director search  (March 25, 2022 -- Elgin, Ill.) Eight notable music conductors have been named finalists in the music director search by the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. The two-year search process kicked off last year when Andrew Grams announced he would depart at the end of the 2020-21 season. The new music director will be announced at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season. One of the finalists was a guest conductor in the ESO’s 2021-22 season.

City of Elgin launches community solar program

 Community solar subscriptions now available to Elgin residents and small businessesElgin, IL - Elgin residents and small businesses can save money on electric bills and help develop the solar industry in Illinois thanks to a new City-sponsored community solar program. Community solar program subscribers receive credits on their ComEd accounts, reducing the energy supply charges on their monthly bills by $100 per year on average. There are no credit checks, enrollment fees or termination

COMCAST RISE APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN TO ALL WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES

In its first year alone, Comcast RISE has provided over $60 million in grants, marketing and technology services to support more than 6,700 small businesses owned by people of color in Comcast’s national footprint – including nearly 550 in the company’s Greater Chicago Region  With the expansion to all women-owned small businesses, the program is on track to support 13,000 businesses by the end of 2022. CHICAGO (January 19, 2022) – Comcast announced today that its Comcast RISE program is open to all

This Elgin-based business is hitting a milestone that most small businesses dream of accomplishing

Meet brothers Kurt (right) and Keith (left) Claussner of Modern Business Computing (MBC). This Elgin-based business is hitting a milestone that most small businesses dream of accomplishing!  Owner Kurt Claussner founded Modern Business Computing (MBC) in 1992 with the concept when you consistently proving clients with quality products and dedicated service, they will come back time and time again. He was right. Not only did clients come back but MBC retained customers long-term AND obtained valuable