-
Monday, January 30, 2023Consumers Send Mixed Signals, Mortgage Rates Drop, Construction Employment Rises
Consumers Send Mixed Signals Analysts are closely watching consumers for signs of whether the U.S. is indeed heading for a much-predicted recession in 2023, and January’s signals have been decidedly mixed. The latest Commerce Department numbers showed consumer spending fell 0.2% from the prior month in December, while January’s final consumer sentiment numbers from the University of Michigan showed confidence this month, posting a significant boost from December tallies. There is still caution created by
Thursday, January 26, 2023Biden Administration Takes Steps Toward National Renters Bill of Rights
he Biden administration set in motion plans to create a national renters bill of rights, tapping into a growing trend among states and cities around the country to address rental housing affordability. In what it calls a "blueprint for a renters bill of rights," the administration is seeking to ensure that tenants can organize, without harassment from landlords, to put more conditions on how evictions can proceed and to create leases that are clearer and fairer. In making the case, the White House
Wednesday, January 25, 2023Hotel Executives Declare 2023 Year of Acceleration
LOS ANGELES — Unlike in years past when optimism among hotel executives was conservative, the first day of the Americas Lodging Investment Summit proved that leaders are all-out bullish on the health of the industry. Hoteliers haven't been shy about their positive expectations for a high volume of deals, growth in revenues despite an economic recession and overall strength of travel demand. In terms of price tags on hotels that could trade in 2023, past transactions indicate distressed pricing still
Wednesday, January 25, 2023ComEd Offering $500,000 in Grant Funding for Community-Oriented Projects Across Northern Illinois
Annual Powering Communities Grants Program provides grants of up to $10,000 each to improve infrastructure and quality of life in Illinois communities CHICAGO (Jan. 25, 2023) – ComEd today announced that municipal and community organizations in northern Illinois can now apply for the 2023 Powering Communities Grants Program, which advances environmental initiatives, enhances public safety and increases access to arts programs in communities ComEd serves. Organizations are encouraged to apply for one of
Tuesday, January 24, 2023Middleby Acquires Flavor Burst Innovation for Beverage and Soft Serve
The Middleby Corporation (NASDAQ: MIDD) today announced the acquisition of Flavor Burst, an innovative technology used in a variety flavored beverage and soft serve products. The company is based in Danville, Ind. and has annual revenues of $5 million. “Flavor Burst provides flavoring systems to enhance customer offerings for soft serve, shakes, slush, smoothies, frozen carbonated beverages, frozen coffees, and frozen cocktails. This technology complements and extends the existing product offerings from
Tuesday, January 24, 2023The ''Smart Salt and You'' travelling exhibit is now on the second floor of the Gail Borden Main Libra
The "Smart Salt and You" traveling exhibit is now on the second floor of the Gail Borden Main Library at 270 N. Grove, Elgin Illinois. Spearheaded by Elgin Mayor David Kaptain, the message of the exhibit relative to salt usage is simple - more isn't always better. Smart Salt and You are intended to bring awareness about how little salt is needed to be effective to promote safety on icy surfaces. Salt negatively impacts groundwater, rivers, pets, and plants. The Northwest Water Planning Alliance
Friday, January 20, 2023Rentals to Account for Growing Share of Single-Family Housing Starts
Institutional Investors Attracted to Rent Growth of Build-To-Rent Sector In keeping with trends from past recessions, the share of single-family rental starts will increase in 2023 as mortgage rates reach multi-decade highs. During most recessions since 1980, the share of single-family starts built to rent has increased relative to other types of single-family residences. Developers delivering into a weak home-buying market will seek alternatives for their product, as purchase demand
Tuesday, January 17, 2023Fitness Chains Lead Retail Foot Traffic Gains, Consumer Confidence Improves, Seasonal Retail Hiring
Fitness Chains Lead Retail Traffic Gains Consumers looking to shape up and leave the pandemic behind them made fitness chains among the top gainers for retail foot traffic during the past year, according to a new report from analytics firm Placer.ai. Crunch Fitness, Planet Fitness and their multiple rivals collectively boosted their fourth-quarter customer visits nearly 17% from a year earlier when some pandemic restrictions were still in place and almost 12% from the pre-pandemic fourth quarter of 2019.
Tuesday, January 17, 2023The Office Picture Is Clearing Up, but Major Challenges Lie Ahead
After the shock of pandemic-induced remote work, clarity is returning to the U.S. office sector, which is facing several major challenges in adjusting to new conditions. Nearly three years after initial closings sent millions of office workers home, a remote-work equilibrium has emerged in the form of the hybrid workplace model. Some form of hybrid—under which employees split their time between remote and in-office locations—has become the predominant work arrangement at many organizations, especially in
Tuesday, January 10, 2023Disney Orders Workers Back to Offices, Restaurants Delay Expansion, Consumer Inflation Expectations
Disney Orders Workers Back to Offices Media and theme park giant Disney has joined prominent technology and finance companies calling on employees to come back to offices for at least part of the week as concerns about the pandemic subside. But it also comes as planned layoffs and hiring freezes are on the rise, with Goldman Sachs joining the list with reported plans to cut 3,200 workers this week. Disney CEO Bob Iger told workers who are currently on hybrid home-office schedules that they must return to
Tuesday, January 10, 2023IRS issues standard mileage rates for 2023; business use increases 3 cents per mile
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2023 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning on January 1, 2023, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be: 65.5 cents per mile driven for business use, up 3 cents from the midyear increase setting the rate for the second half of 2022. 22 cents per mile driven for medical or
Monday, January 09, 2023FUNDS AVAILABLE FROM KANE COUNTY FOR ANTI-SMOKING AND VAPING PROJECTS
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR ANTI-SMOKING AND VAPING PROJECTS The Kane County Health Department is making funds available for workplaces, schools, and healthcare providers to support anti-smoking and vaping policies, educational campaigns and cessation services. This is part of the work done by the Health Department’s Tobacco Control and Prevention Program with funding from the Illinois Department of Public Health. “Our goal is to keep people from starting to smoke or vape and to provide resources to anyone who
.png)
Wednesday, January 04, 2023Violinist Geneva Lewis to perform with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra this weekend
(January 4, 2023 – Elgin, Illinois) Violinist Geneva Lewis, recipient of a 2022 Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award, will perform Brahm’s Violin Concerto with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra on Jan. 7 and 8, 2023. Lewis replaces Stella Chen, who was not able to travel due to a foot injury. The concerts, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, will also include Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 and Canadian composer Jocelyn Morlock’s Oiseaux bleus et sauvages. A
Wednesday, December 14, 2022Funds Available for Smoke Free Workplaces
Smoke Free Workplaces Project Request for Applications Reducing smoking and vaping among staff and promoting a smoke free workplace helps protect the entire workforce from the harms of tobacco smoke and improves health, morale and team performance. A workplace can create a smoke free environment with clear policies, signage and resources to help employees quit. The Kane County Tobacco Control and Prevention program aims to collaborate with area businesses and nonprofit organizations to promote quitting
.png)
Monday, September 12, 2022OrthoIllinois 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
Tuesday, September 06, 2022OrthoIllinois 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,
Monday, August 15, 2022OrthoIllinois 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
Monday, August 15, 2022Gov. 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.
Tuesday, August 02, 2022Governor 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
Tuesday, July 26, 2022On 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
Friday, June 10, 2022Governor 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
