Business

Politics

Watchdog group asks feds to probe Trump over $50 million 'nonexistent' loan to his Chicago company

Noah Bookbinder, president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said in a letter to the FBI and Justice Department that it’s possible the loan, connected to the development of the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago, may be “nonexistent.”

By Lynn Sweet

The Shedd Aquarium will undergo a $500 million transformation beginning this summer and culminating with the Shedd’s 100th anniversary in 2030.

Work

Shedd Aquarium workers form union

In an open letter, staff cited work-life imbalance, financial struggles and lack of communication from management, among other grievances, as reasons for unionizing.

By Amy Yee

Citibank’s South Michigan Avenue branch in downtown Chicago, where former Citi wealth adviser Helen Grace Caldwell worked.

The Watchdogs

Ex-Citi VP in Chicago ripped by judge for bilking elderly clients of $1.5 million, gets 30 months in prison

Before sentencing Helen G. Caldwell, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly said, “The only difference between Ms. Caldwell and a bank robber is that she didn’t have a mask and a gun.”

By Eva Putnam | Injustice Watch

City officials were warned of possible dangers months before the botched implosion of the Crawford smokestack in the 3500 block of South Pulaski Road in 2020.

Environment

Official who oversaw Little Village implosion gets City Council OK to head buildings department

Marlene Hopkins should have been disciplined for her role overseeing the botched Hilco demolition of the former Crawford power plant in 2020, a watchdog report said. On Wednesday, nearly two dozen alderpersons praised the new top buildings official.

By Brett Chase

The Oberweis Dairy at an Aurora location on Randall Rd, just north of I-88

Money

Oberweis Dairy plans to close plant, lay off 127 workers

The company, known for its ice cream stores and milk packaged in glass bottles, recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

By Amy Yee

Money

World Business Chicago names new CEO

Philip Clement, who succeeds Michael Fassnacht, is tasked with promoting Chicago as a destination for businesses.

By Amy Yee

Obituaries

Chris Crane, former Exelon CEO and nuclear energy proponent, dies at 65

The company said Chris Crane will be remembered for his “transformational milestones” on safety and equity, specifically related to his work in the nuclear energy field.

By Violet Miller

City Hall

Mayor Johnson's plan to borrow $1.25 billion hits another roadblock

Things went sideways in the Finance Committee, and Ald. Pat Dowell, the committee chair, recessed the meeting until Wednesday, telling the Sun-Times she hopes the committee will vote then.

By Fran Spielman

Cars race up and down South Columbus Drive near East Ida B. Wells Drive in the Loop.

Personal Finance

Rising inflation means Illinois' required car insurance limits may not be enough protection

There are a few ways to make sure you have enough coverage before a car accident puts you at risk.

By Drew Gula | NerdWallet

Business

Oberweis Dairy files for bankruptcy protection with more than $4M owed: court filings

The North Aurora-based company, known for its ice cream and milk in glass bottles, filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protections in the Northern District of Illinois, court records show.

By Sun-Times staff

Small Business

Discount retailer Bargains in a Box closes shop

Since the 1990s, countless shoppers have scored eye-popping deals on a range of goods found in giant cardboard boxes and on warehouse-style shelves.

By Amy Yee

Consumer Affairs

Internet providers must now be more transparent about fees, pricing, FCC says

The new required pricing labels are modeled on nutritional labels and are meant to help consumers comparison shop and avoid junk fees.

By Cora Lewis | AP

Rendering of a proposed new White Sox ballpark at The 78.

The Watchdogs

The billionaire behind the scenes in White Sox' stadium plan

If the White Sox succeed in getting the city and state to build them a new home on ‘The 78' site in the South Loop, this little-known Iraqi-British billionaire stands to profit.

By Tim Novak and Frank Main

Gail and Tom Wise wear black coats as they sit in an early 1965 light blue convertible Ford Mustang with the top down, in front of a closed, off-white garage door.

Gail Wise bought the first Ford Mustang sold in the United States; 60 years later, she still owns it

By Neil Steinberg

How to help reduce elder poverty? Keep Chicago seniors employed

By Amy Yee

City Hall

Mayor Brandon Johnson offers revised plan to borrow $1.25 billion for development, housing projects

A substitute ordinance brings more transparency to Johnson’s $1.25 billion housing and economic development plan — but also led to questions from City Council members about what should be subject to Council approval.

By Abby Miller

Pamela Davis, the family paws parent educator and senior/lead trainer at Urban Pooch, walks with Soba to help train Murphy (not pictured here) to be comfortable around other dogs and strangers at Urban Pooch’s training and fitness center in Lincoln Square, Thursday, April 11, 2024. Davis was teaching Murphy, who is owned by Rebekah Reynolds, an agility sports trainer at Urban Pooch, to be more comfortable around other dogs and strangers. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Chicago

Dog trainers stress importance of 'recognizing yellow lights' to prevent aggressive behavior and dog bites

Last year, Illinois ranked eighth in the country in dog bite claims. Insurance companies paid more than $61.8 million for 837 dog-related injury claims, with an average payout of $73,797.

By Mohammad Samra

Environment

Chicago climate lawsuit against Big Oil moved to federal court — for now

BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil and Shell argued city’s case belongs in U.S. District Court. A legal expert predicts it will move back to Cook County Circuit Court.

By Brett Chase

Work

United flight attendants rally outside O'Hare, demanding better pay

Union members picketed at 17 airports worldwide, including O’Hare, a week after the Chicago-based airline reported that executives received large pay hikes.

By Amy Yee

On a tree lined street, cars are parked in front of a brick building that has glass-block windows.

Money

Amazon owes Chicago-based tech company $525 million for patent infringement, jury rules

Kove, a West Loop technology company, alleged in a 2018 lawsuit that Amazon Web Services used its patented technology as a building block for its hugely profitable cloud services.

By Abby Miller

The Watchdogs

FDA panel reviewing Abbott heart device included 10 doctors with financial ties to the north suburban health giant

The FDA said nothing about the payments from the North Chicago company when the panel met to assess new technology, a “breakthrough device” for which the agency “may be willing to accept greater uncertainty” when considering risks and benefits.

By David Hilzenrath | KFF Health News and Holly Hacker | KFF Health News

Springfield

Pritzker pitches grants to open new stores in food deserts

The governor announced the second phase of the Illinois Grocery Initiative, which includes a round of grant funding for new grocers in food deserts.

By Mariah Rush