Pawan Naidu

Berkeley

General Assignment Reporter at Crain's Chicago Business

Chicago Business Reporter

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Articles

Best restaurants for business lunch, dinners, drinks 2025

2 months ago | chicagobusiness.com | Brandon Raphael Dupre |Ally Marotti |Pawan Naidu

By Brandon Dupré, Ally Marotti and Pawan Naidu May 5, 2025 Looking for fresh ideas for a client dinner or post-workday drinks with colleagues? We've got you covered — plus recs for lunch and even a breakfast meeting option. FOR BREAKFASTCafe Yaya2431 N. Lincoln Ave. If you’re looking for freshly baked pastries and coffee in a unique cafe environment, the recently opened Cafe Yaya is the ideal place for that morning meeting.
Illinois jobs grew in early 2025, but concerns remain

2 months ago | chicagobusiness.com | Pawan Naidu

Illinois posted modest job growth in the first quarter of the year, with the government sector being one of the top performers despite recent workforce reductions by the federal government. According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, nonfarm employment in the state rose to 6,162,100, up 0.5% from 6,131,000 during the same three-month period last year. In March alone, total jobs reached 6,172,300, which was an increase of 14,800 from February and 34,200 higher than in March 2024.
Big Ten schools band together to fight Trump attacks on higher ed: report

2 months ago | chicagobusiness.com | Pawan Naidu

The universities of the Big Ten Academic Alliance have formed a "mutual defense compact" to collectively respond to attacks on higher education from the Trump administration. The initiative was started by Rutgers University's faculty senate on April 6 in response to the Trump administration’s “legal, financial and political” attacks on academic freedom and the missions of universities, The Hill reports.
Rainbow Cone set to open on 'Street of Treats' near Millennium Park

2 months ago | chicagobusiness.com | Pawan Naidu

Longtime South Side staple Rainbow Cone is expanding in the Loop along with a pair of popular dessert chains, looking to take advantage of retail demand in a high-foot-traffic area. A recent sign posted on the door of 163 Michigan Ave. revealed the ice cream chain is opening its newest shop at the location in conjunction with Auntie Anne’s and Cinnabon. The businesses are expected to have a tourist-centric customer base because of their location near popular city landmarks such as The Bean.
WGN-TV is eyeing a deal with Chicago Sports Network: report

2 months ago | chicagobusiness.com | Pawan Naidu

WGN-TV is interested in airing Chicago Sports Network broadcasts amidst the fledgling regional sports network’s failure to reach a deal with Comcast/Xfinity, the area’s largest cable provider. The local television station believes a deal with CHSN is a way back to carrying local sports, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Supporters rally for industrial zoning ordinance aimed at curbing pollution

2 months ago | chicagobusiness.com | Pawan Naidu

City leaders and community activists rallied outside City Hall to support new legislation aimed at reversing decades of environmental harm in Chicago’s Black and Brown neighborhoods, where polluting industries have long been concentrated. Mayor Brandon Johnson is set to introduce the Hazel Johnson Cumulative Impacts Ordinance during today’s session.
O'Hare climbs rankings of world's busiest airports but still lags pre-pandemic traffic

2 months ago | chicagobusiness.com | Pawan Naidu

O’Hare International Airport ranked among the busiest U.S. airports last year, despite falling short of its pre-pandemic numbers. According to a 2024 study by Airports Council International, O’Hare ranked eighth worldwide for total passengers, with just over 80 million travelers boarding and deplaning. The airport saw an 8.3% increase from the previous year, moving up one spot in the global rankings. However, traffic is down 5.4% from 2019, when it ranked sixth among airports globally.
Massive Oak Brook mansion built like a castle comes back on the market

2 months ago | chicagobusiness.com | Pawan Naidu

A massive Oak Brook mansion built to resemble a castle is back on the market after a nearly nine-year hiatus with a listing price of nearly $5 million. The home, spanning 12,000 square feet, is “designed like a fortress because it is a fortress,” with walls 18 inches thick, a Redfin listing states. Property records show the owner is Paul Iwanski, president of Iwanski Masonry, a development company specializing in education and public buildings such as fire stations. (See photos below).
WBEZ union files grievance as Chicago Public Media newsrooms reorganize

2 months ago | chicagobusiness.com | Pawan Naidu

SAG-AFTRA, the union representing staff at WBEZ-FM, has filed a grievance against the public radio station's corporate parent, Chicago Public Media. The complaint filed this afternoon claims the organization's parent company did not practice “good faith” in posting recent job opportunities created in the wake of a wave of staff buyouts.
TreeHouse laying off 129 workers at South Beloit facility

2 months ago | chicagobusiness.com | Pawan Naidu

TreeHouse Foods is laying off 129 workers at its South Beloit facility as part of a company-wide effort to cut costs. The Oak Brook-based company filed a WARN notice on March 28 disclosing the staff reduction at the northwest Illinois warehouse. The company also announced yesterday it will lay off off 150 workers in a reorganization of its corporate functions, according to a news release. TreeHouse did not clarify if the South Beloit layoffs are included in the larger cuts.