Chicago Enterprise

Fritz Kuhn speaks at a German American Bund meeting. New York, 1938.

Columnists

Fighting fascism is in our bones

The Chicago Daily Times, a forebear of this paper, did its part to warn of those who wanted a Nazi America.

By Neil Steinberg

Staff of the Chicago Sun-Times gather for a group photo in 2004 with the paper’s former building at 401 N. Wabash Ave. in the background. The building would soon be torn down for the Trump International Hotel & Tower.

Chicago Enterprise

A reporter steps back while still rooting for those who carry on

Whether it was serendipity or something else, a lot of things came together that led to a career at the Sun-Times.

By David Roeder

Travelers check their flight’s status at O’Hare Airport’s Terminal 1.

Chicago Enterprise

For the final days of 2023, a look back at the stories and trends in Chicago business

In the year of a receding pandemic, many routines returned to normal, but there still were hot topics galore to cover.

By David Roeder

The District 1860 residential and retail complex is an array of beige and tan colored buildings of varied heights, standing on a street corner with blue sky around.

Chicago Enterprise

In Lincolnwood, suburban chic succeeds ratty old Purple Hotel

Apartments are being leased, and retailers are moving into a new complex that promises to blot out some of the village’s bad memories.

By David Roeder

John Welin, mHUB’s shop director, left, shows University of Illinois Chicago student Mahanoor Murtaza how to use a laser cutter at mHUB’s new headquarters Thursday.

Chicago Enterprise

Near West Side ventures seed growth in Chicago manufacturing

The nonprofit incubator mHUB and battery manufacturer NanoGraf opened facilities in a part of town that’s evolving into an innovation center.

By David Roeder

The downtown Chicago skyline is seen from a boat on Lake Michigan on a sunny day in April 2023.

Chicago Enterprise

City Hall and civic groups need to plot a downtown rescue

With vacancy rates rising and valuations falling hard, civic and business leaders are starting to talk about what can be done with office space few companies want anymore.

By David Roeder

A brick house with a concrete stoop owned by the Chicago Housing Authority at 2128 N. Moody Ave. in Belmont Cragin is seen amid a grey sky.

Chicago Enterprise

CHA mounts $50 million program to fix up scattered sites

The agency promises to be “laser focused” over the next 18 months on its vacant single-family homes and smaller apartment buildings.

By David Roeder

The Sears campus in Hoffman Estates in 2004, shown during the day with water fountains in front and blue sky above.

Chicago Enterprise

Data center developer Compass hopes business will hum at old Sears site

The Hoffman Estates property the that retailer’s headquarters occupied in 1992 is likely to get a drastic makeover as empty offices make way for cyberspace.

By David Roeder

Joey Cappuccitti poses next to a stack of boxes of Stewarts Coffee at the company’s factory in Carol Stream.

Chicago Enterprise

110-year-old Stewarts Coffee stands up to the competitive grind

Overshadowed by national brands, the small local company sees more grocery distribution and other sales outlets, doing it all with a staff of four people.

By David Roeder

A rendering of the two towers in Related Midwest’s 400 N. Lake Shore Drive plan.

Chicago Enterprise

The developer plans to begin building one of two towers at 400 N. Lake Shore Drive, with a financing deal that sets aside 20% of the units for low-income renters.

By David Roeder

A rendering of the proposed new Ryan Field in Evanston. It would replace the current 97-year-old stadium that’s home to the Northwestern Wildcats.

Chicago Enterprise

Northwestern consults its playbook to make concerts part of Ryan Field

University is taking its case to the Evanston City Council after a city panel rejected concerts as part of an $800 million stadium proposal.

By David Roeder

A traveler walks past asylum-seekers inside a waiting area for shuttles near O’Hare Airport’s Terminal 2 on Oct. 3.

Chicago Enterprise

As migrant crisis grows will faith groups step up and offer unused buildings?

Religious organizations own substantial properties that sit empty or little used. Why aren’t they being opened to shelter people arriving in Chicago?

By David Roeder

Office building towers in West Loop, including the recently sold site at 230 W. Monroe St.

Chicago Enterprise

Menashe Properties takes a chance on West Loop’s elusive revival

In the first sale of a downtown building in more than a year, buyer Menashe aims to be ready as tenants move or expand their space.

By David Roeder

The CTA’s Red Line station at 95th Street.

Chicago Enterprise

As Red Line extension advances, a cheaper way hides in plain sight

The CTA’s $3.7 billion plan to extend rail service to 130th Street overlaps rail service already in place.

By David Roeder

Maurice Cox Chicago commissioner of planning and development

Chicago Enterprise

As he steps down, Chicago’s top planner reflects on neighborhood projects and an unfinished agenda

Coming into the job four years ago as an appointee of former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Maurice Cox sometimes rankled developers by pushing for better architecture and community benefits.

By David Roeder

A rendering of IBT Group’s proposal for 1769 W. Pershing Road, which includes a rooftop park.

Chicago Enterprise

Winner picked for Pershing Road project; plans would reinvent an industrial colossus

City planning officials have agreed to work with IBT Group on redeveloping properties that are part of the Central Manufacturing District.

By David Roeder

Robert Bruno, professor of labor and employment relations at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Chicago Enterprise

U. of I. professor examines complexity and contradictions of work

Robert Bruno’s book “What Work Is” draws on how his students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign characterized their jobs and how they affect daily life.

By David Roeder

Los trabajadores preparan las nuevas instalaciones de Amazon en West Humboldt Park, diseñadas para pedidos rápidos.

Chicago Enterprise

Amazon prepares its rapid response with new center in West Humboldt Park

Monday, the company will post job openings for the facility at 1260 N. Kostner Ave., which is expected to open in September, focusing on items “that people want and need in a hurry.”

By David Roeder

Chicago Enterprise

With West Garfield Park plans, adding fresh food at former Aldi is just the start

City officials have received two responses to their call for investment at the former Aldi property on West Madison Street, hoping to energize the commercial block.

By David Roeder

A rendering of the housing redevelopment planned at the former Charles Warrington Earle School, 6121 S. Hermitage Ave.

Chicago Enterprise

Details get nailed down for 2 affordable housing deals on South Side

The projects in West Englewood and Pilsen are designed for families, helping fill what experts call an unmet need.

By David Roeder