Pawan Naidu

1 month 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.

1 month 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.

1 month 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.

1 month 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.

1 month 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.