Crain's Chicago Business

2 days 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.

2 days ago | chicagobusiness.com | Michael Hirtzer

The battle for spring-wheat supremacy has begun. The CME Group, one of the world’s largest derivatives marketplaces, has launched new futures and options for the grain variety dubbed the “aristocrat” for helping improve flours for bagels, croissants, hearth breads and pizza crust. Trading of this type of wheat has been dominated for more than a century by MIAX Futures Exchange, formerly known as the Minneapolis Grain Exchange.

3 days ago | chicagobusiness.com | Justin Laurence

Hoping to get ahead of what's anticipated to be an arduous 2026 budget cycle, Mayor Brandon Johnson is creating a working group to put forward plans to cut spending and raise revenue that have thus far not had political support during his nearly two years in office.

5 days 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.

5 days 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.