Crain's Chicago Business articles from April 2004

Crain's Chicago Business archives from April 2004

Wine for those with a nose for novelty.(Dining/Restaurant Review)(A Taste of Vino)(Restaurant Review)
April 5, 2004... Byline: ANNE SPISELMAN If you're charged with buying the wine for an office function like a reception and you're not exactly an expert, don't worry. You can still make excellent choices. Before shopping, you need some basic...

Motor fuel tax draws threat from railroads; Say they'll ditch plan to ease congestion.(News)
April 5, 2004... Byline: BOB TITA The nation's railroads are threatening to withdraw their financial support for a massive rail improvement plan for the Chicago area if they're required to pay a proposed state fuel tax. The railroads estimate they'd...

As market plateaus, Unitrin sitting pretty; Good Kemper, Fireside results lift prospects.(News)
April 5, 2004... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY Unitrin Inc.'s stock has soared over the past year as the insurer's personal auto and homeowner business acquired from Long Grove-based Kemper Insurance Cos. has turned around faster than expected. Can shares in...

Datebook.(Calendar/Datebook)(Calendar)
April 5, 2004... WEEK OF APRIL 5 APRIL 5: Career Resource Center Inc. presents Resume Preparation and Presentation. 10:15 a.m. Career Resource Center, Grove Cultural Campus, 40 E. Old Mill Road, Suite 105, Lake Forest. Fee: $40. (847) 295-5626. APRIL...

Effort to keep Wal-Mart out is anti-consumer.(Opinion)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... Wal-Mart Stores Inc. sells a wide array of goods at remarkably low prices, and that has made the Arkansas chain the world's biggest and most successful retailer. To achieve that, it is well documented that Wal-Mart is hard on its workers,...

Quote of the Week.(Quotes)
April 5, 2004... Don't panic. There's not a bubble out there. Real estate professor Norman Miller, on local housing prices PAGE 1

New wardrobe for old malls; Discount chains shop space where department stores once ruled.(Real Estate)
April 5, 2004... Byline: SANDRA JONES It's approaching lunchtime on a weekday at Randhurst Shopping Center, and the mall is virtually empty. A man in a gray parka and baseball cap sits on a slatted bench, staring blankly into the Easy Spirit shoe...

Late News.
April 5, 2004... EMPLOYMENT FALLS IN CHICAGO AREA Private-sector jobs grew in three of the Chicago area's six counties, but still fell by about 46,000, or 1.4%, in the metropolitan areas as a whole in the 12 months ended March 2003, according to Where...

Gloss he's got, but details bedevil guv; Early missteps call governing skills into question.(News)
April 5, 2004... Byline: GREG HINZ Gov. Rod Blagojevich's team, so successful at managing high-level campaigns, continues to stumble over the mundane but critical intricacies of governing. The flap over the proposed Isle of Capri Inc. casino in...

Red ink pressing publisher; Liberty Group grew fast, but so did its debt.(News)
April 5, 2004... Byline: JEREMY MULLMAN Buyers coming to town to kick the tires of Hollinger International Inc.'s Chicago newspapers might want to drive to Northbrook while they're here and take a look at Liberty Group Publishing Inc.-the largest newspaper...

Red-hot area for retail: southwest; Big boxes race for space in growing towns.(Real Estate)
April 5, 2004... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY By the U.S. Census Bureau's reckoning, the three fastest-growing towns in Illinois are southwest suburban Romeoville, Oswego and Plainfield. No surprise, then, that retail developers are sprinting to put up shopping...

Doctor's domain covers the airwaves; UBC Radio signs sex therapist Berman.(News)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... Byline: JEREMY MULLMAN Laura Berman's sex empire has reached the radio. The physician-who recently opened a Streeterville clinic dedicated to women's sexual dysfunction, hosts a cable television show, writes a column in the Chicago...

People: NutraSweet CEO blending new sweetener strategy.(People)
April 5, 2004... Byline: JAMES B. ARNDORFER NutraSweet Co.'s new CEO is itching to mix it up with the competition. But Craig Petray isn't talking about battling rival sweetener makers for marketshare. He wants to blend NutraSweet's aspartame and...

INSIDERS' TRACK AT EXCHANGE; Archipelago filing outlines deals with top execs.(News)
April 5, 2004... Byline: STEVEN R. STRAHLER Archipelago Holdings LLC may threaten Wall Street's business model, but a recent public filing shows the upstart electronic stock exchange hasn't rejected all the customs of high finance. Archipelago uses...

Illinois pension manager vows to get more active.(News)
April 5, 2004... Byline: PAUL MERRION Calls for a shareholder revolt against Safeway Inc. last month put Illinois at the forefront of activist public pension funds-exactly where it intends to be from now on. Illinois joins other previously quiet states...

Equity Office selling industrial portfolio; Eyes tax-protected deal for Calif. sites.(News)
April 5, 2004... Byline: ALBY GALLUN Equity Office Properties Trust is selling a portfolio of industrial properties in California left over from its 2001 acquisition of Spieker Properties Inc. The Chicago-based real estate investment trust (REIT) has...

Rosemont not recommended.(Briefs)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... A proposal to use the state's 10th casino license in Rosemont-which was chosen by the Illinois Gaming Board last month-did not make the short list recommended by Gaming Board staff, according to internal agency documents. A few weeks before the...

Department store space not always a comfy fit.(Real Estate)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... Byline: SANDRA JONES Fitting into a former department store space takes compromise. Either the department store is demolished and replaced, or discounters must figure out how to squeeze their expansive one-level stores into two or three...

Despite worries, ex-Kmarts get a new lease on life.(Real Estate)
April 5, 2004... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY When Kmart Holding Corp. announced two years ago that it was closing 18 Chicago-area stores-leaving about 40 open here-some landlords worried that the empty boxes would be a plague, forcing adjacent small shops out of...

Chicago among pricier HQ sites: study; But defenders say other factors offset the costs.(News)(Headquaters)
April 5, 2004... Byline: GREG HINZ Chicago is a relatively expensive place to operate a corporate headquarters, according to a new national survey. But the area ranks fairly close to its big-city competitors, and has geographic advantages that at least...

Should city seek a Wal-Mart deal? Labor roadblock hurts consumers as much as it hurts retailer.(News)
April 5, 2004... Byline: Sandra Jones If it looks closely, Chicago might find a bargain in Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s growth problems. The world's largest company needs to keep expanding to satisfy Wall Street. And, with more than 3,000 stores already...

In Chicago, sweet home scenario; Prices to rise even if mortgage rates do.(News)
April 5, 2004... Byline: ALBY GALLUN Low mortgage rates have home prices rising swiftly-and fears are multiplying that the housing market will crash when rates rise. But the typical Chicago-area homeowner needn't worry. The median home price here,...

A political player's metamorphosis; Wilhelm's next step: launching venture fund.(News)
April 5, 2004... Byline: PAUL MERRION David Wilhelm, top outside adviser to Gov. Rod Blagojevich, says he filed paperwork to give up being a registered lobbyist and plans to sell his ownership in Wilhelm & Conlon, a public affairs consulting firm. ...

DuPage water fight soaks GOP leaders; Dispute slows Schillerstrom's rise as party boss.(News)(DuPage County Board)(Robert Schillerstrom)(DuPage Water Commission)
April 5, 2004... Byline: BOB TITA DuPage County Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom stepped in a puddle on his path to prominence in the Illinois GOP. A dispute centered on the DuPage Water Commission threatens Mr. Schillerstrom's bid to consolidate...

IPO a good time to ditch Archipelago's old ways.(Opinion)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... Archipelago Holdings LLC combines up-to-the-minute technology with old-fashioned boardroom ways. The electronic stock exchange promises to liberate investors from the oppressive practices of traditional exchanges by helping them find the...

In Ha-Lo's bankruptcy, the rare glint of gold.(News)(HA-LO Industries Inc.)
April 5, 2004... Byline: JAMES B. ARNDORFER Ha-Lo Industries Inc. made a famously bad investment in May 2000, acquiring online retailer Starbelly.com for $240 million, a deal that ultimately pushed Ha-Lo into bankruptcy proceedings. But just four...

Chicago philanthropist extols rewards of giving.(Opinion)
April 5, 2004... Byline: Richard H. Driehaus I chose my profession when I was a lad and began collecting and investing in old coins. Since then, my professional life has been devoted to financial management. I get deep satisfaction from developing...

The road to retail row is not always smooth.(Real Estate)(Brief Article)
April 5, 2004... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY Rapid development has raised a few concerns in the south and southwest suburbs. Retail investment could get ahead of residential development, some observers say, leading to business failures. And the land rush is...

Campaign dirt alone not enough to bury a candidate.(Opinion)
April 5, 2004... Byline: F. Richard Ciccone When Blair Hull's U.S. Senate campaign imploded over the less-than-devastating revelations that he once kicked his ex-wife in the shin, it was simply another example of the naivete of politicians, new and old,...

Stung by scandal, city to list payouts; Web site will display what's going to contractors.(News)
April 5, 2004... Byline: JULIE JOHNSSON In a bid to boost accountability after the hired-truck scandal, the city of Chicago plans to make public all facets of its $2 billion in annual spending on goods and services. Starting in May, the city will post...

Publisher mines rich market with bargain ads.(News)(Modern Luxury Publishing Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... Byline: JEREMY MULLMAN A local magazine publisher that offers bargain rates to high-end advertisers is expanding. Modern Luxury Publishing Inc., known locally for fashion magazine CS and tourist guide Front Desk Chicago, plans to...

Report blasts Boeing 767 deal.(Briefs)(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... The Pentagon's inspector general released a report Friday urging the agency not to proceed with a $23.5-billion U.S. Air Force deal to acquire 100 767 air-refueling tankers from Boeing Co. The report says significant changes need to be made to...

Safe harbor? Investors seek it in first qtr. Tide of caution lifts shipper Hub Group.(News)
April 12, 2004... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY In the first three months of this year, investors were in a cautious mood, pouring money into companies that have cut costs and increased productivity. They also sought out companies that stand a chance of benefiting...

Donnelley, Blago in tax tiff; Without loophole, printer vows to nix plant plans.(News)
April 12, 2004... Byline: JAMES B. ARNDORFER The printing industry and Gov. Rod Blagojevich are in a stare-down over sales taxes on equipment purchases, and it's not clear yet which side will blink. At stake are hundreds of potential jobs and a small...

Pull up a bar stool for a fast and casual lunch.(Dining/Restaurant Review)(Restaurant Review)
April 12, 2004... Byline: ANNE MOORE Bar lunches offer a quick and casual alternative to a sit-down meal. They're not appropriate for a business lunch, but with colleagues or old friends, a restaurant bar may be just the place. No guarantee on air quality,...

Profile: New IIT program to mix tech skills, business basics.(Technology)
April 12, 2004... Byline: JULIE JOHNSSON As chief technology officer at Motorola Inc., Dennis Roberson unveiled the first camera phone at a trade show in 1999-a revolutionary concept at that time. A new business program he's creating at Chicago's...

Late News.
April 12, 2004... IRI STAFF CUTBACK HITS HARD LOCALLY Information Resources Inc. (IRI) plans to jettison 281 workers in the Chicago area, nearly 30% of its 1,000 local jobs. The company will outsource some of the jobs to India, a spokeswoman says. "We're...

Kauffman efforts aimed at helping companies grow.(Small Business)(Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation)
April 12, 2004... Byline: DEE GILL The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation funds numerous programs for Chicago-area business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. The following are a few ways to take advantage of its money and expertise. For more ideas, visit...

$2-bil. fund looks to help you; New direction benefits entrepreneurs.(Small Business)
April 12, 2004... Byline: DEE GILL It's hard to find Chicago business owners who know much about the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City. Maybe they've heard it's the organization that gives grants to schools, or that it studies...

Reaping what he sowed, CEO at Aftermarket chases growth.(People)
April 12, 2004... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY As global director of parts and supply at Ford Motor Co. a couple of years ago, Donald T. Johnson Jr. saved the automaker money by taking in-house the manufacturing of certain replacement parts that Ford was buying...

Human Resources.(Small Business)
April 12, 2004... Human Resources Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Small Business Development Center 330 N. Wabash Ave., Suite 2800 Chicago 60611 Phone: (312) 494-6700 Fax: (312) 494-0196 E-mail: mfields@chicagolandchamber.org ...

PURCHASING & PROCUREMENT RESOURCES.(Technology)
April 12, 2004... Chicago Department of Procurement Services 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 403 Chicago 60602 Phone: (312) 744-4900 Fax: (312) 744-0010 E-mail: purchasing@cityofchicago.org Web site: egov.cityofchicago.org Contacts: Eric...

Resources for Global Trade.(News)
April 12, 2004... Executives Club of Chicago 8 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 2500 Chicago 60603 Phone: (312) 263-3500 Fax: (312) 263-3502 E-mail: kaarinak@executivesclub.org Web site: www.executivesclub.org Contact: Kaarina...

A $1-billion fill-up for state's tank; Ethanol tax legislation would raise rebates to Illinois.(News)
April 12, 2004... Byline: BOB TITA Illinois stands to reap an extra $1 billion in federal highway funds over the next six years from proposed changes in the federal tax on ethanol-blended gasoline. The federal highway funding bill passed by the U.S....

IBM alum leads flock; bank next? Forest Park pastor: Pay off your credit card, invest in my bank, tithe 10%- and reap rewards.(News)
April 12, 2004... Byline: STEVE DANIELS At a converted movie theater in a mostly empty shopping mall in Forest Park, a former IBM salesman has built a 13,000-member church by mixing faith and finance. Bill Winston, pastor of the Living Word Christian...

Lipinski is right on RTA, but wrong on streetcar.(Opinion)(Rapid Transit Authority)
April 12, 2004... U.S. Rep. William O. Lipinski wants to overhaul the Chicago area's public transportation system, vesting decision-making power in the until-now-powerless Regional Transportation Authority and ending years of bickering between local agencies....

Defining 'brand Chicago' is key to luring new business.(Opinion)
April 12, 2004... Byline: Scott Davis Vibrant, livable and balanced, Chicago surprisingly lacks a clear-cut identity, according to top corporate executives nationwide. While executives cite the city's solid Midwestern values, in the next breath they'll...

Firms can obtain health insurance; SBA chief says associations, savings account plans will work.(Technology)(small Business Administration)
April 12, 2004... Byline: HECTOR V. BARRETO A recent poll conducted by the Kaiser Foundation found that Americans are more concerned about rising health care costs than the stock market or terrorist attacks. Health care concerns are particularly acute...

Ogden streetcar: trolley folly?(News)
April 12, 2004... Byline: SHRUTI DATE SINGH U.S. Rep. William O. Lipinski is bringing home $40 million to plan his transit dream, a $400-million, 11.4-mile streetcar line from Navy Pier to North Riverside Park Mall. But some call it a streetcar named...

Options expensing would pinch Baxter; It'd be hurt more than rivals by rule change.(News)(Baxter International)
April 12, 2004... Byline: SARAH A. KLEIN A proposed rule requiring expensing of stock options would dent the bottom line at Baxter International Inc., a generous issuer of options. Baxter's net income would have been 17.8% lower last year if the medical...

All SBA lenders aren't created equal.(Technology)(Small Business Administration)
April 12, 2004... Byline: MARK HENRICKS Brian Morse had no trouble accumulating debt in medical school, but when he wanted to set up his own physician's office in Chicago, his access to capital disappeared. In 2001, the newly minted M.D. called area...

Conventions.(Calendar/Datebook)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
April 12, 2004... WEEK OF APRIL 12 April 14-15: Hospitality Sales and Marketing Assn. International, Navy Pier, estimated attendance 1,440. April 14-16: National Assn. of Home Builders, Hyatt Regency Chicago, estimated attendance 500. April 14-17:...

Datebook.(Calendar/Datebook)(Calendar)
April 12, 2004... WEEK OF APRIL 12 APRIL 12: Illinois Institute of Technology presents Thought Leaders Seminar. 4:30 p.m. IIT, McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 3201 S. State St. Free. (312) 567-3951. APRIL 13: Career Resource Center Inc. presents...

Disabilities are no deterrent; Entrepreneurs seeking careers, not sympathy.(Small Business)
April 12, 2004... Byline: MARK HENRICKS Brad Saul has always been an entrepreneur. When the veteran of the Chicago radio scene became ill with multiple sclerosis about halfway through his 25-year career, he kept doing what he's always done. Today Mr....

Why not hire a disabled employee?(Small Business)
April 12, 2004... Byline: MARK HENRICKS Entrepreneurs who want to make their community a better place should consider hiring disabled workers. Of 11.3 million working-age adults with disabilities, just 37% percent were employed, according to a 2001...

Community Colleges.(Small Business)(Directory)
April 12, 2004... City Colleges of Chicago Central administration 226 W. Jackson Blvd. Chicago 60601 Phone: (773) 265-5343 Web site: www.ccc.edu The eight schools of the City Colleges of Chicago include: Richard J. Daley College...

Government work pays off; Small firms find faster growth from contracts.(Technology)
April 12, 2004... Byline: MARK HENRICKS Eight years ago, Ike Hong was president of a small Chicago general contractor. Then, with the help of the U.S. Small Business Administration, his firm became certified as a minority-owned company, eligible to bid for...

Hey Joe, do you know how to . . . For involuntary techies like Eric Hochstadter, rescuing co-workers from computer-related quagmires is a daily routine. Being the office computer geek has its drawbacks-and rewards.(Technology)
April 12, 2004... Byline: DAVID BERNSTEIN Just about every office has one: the staffer everyone seeks out to fix annoying little computer problems-even though technical support is not in his or her job description. It's called the "Hey, Joe'' network,...

Nextel eyes substitutes for Motorola; A $14.86-bil. relationship falters.(News)
April 12, 2004... Byline: JULIE JOHNSSON The long, exclusive partnership that made Nextel Communications Inc. the largest customer of Motorola Inc. is unraveling. The nation's sixth-largest wireless carrier, with 13 million subscribers, Virginia-based...

Clout-heavy group eyes South Works; Investment could kick-start big redo.(News)
April 12, 2004... Byline: ALBY GALLUN The long-vacant South Works steel mill property on Chicago's South Shore has caught the eye of a politically connected team of real estate developers. The group-which includes Richard A. Stein, mayoral friend...

Panel could map new route for RTA; Plan would put CTA, Metra in transit chief's control.(News)(Regional Transportation Authority)
April 12, 2004... Byline: GREG HINZ A high-powered gubernatorial advisory panel is about to roll the dice on a proposed remake of the Chicago area's transportation system. But key officials on both sides of the aisle, including Chicago Mayor Richard M....

Rerouting Transit; Rep. William O. Lipinski's plan will be considered next week by a state advisory panel.(News)(Regional Transportation Authority)(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... * Revamp Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) into 15-person board, with seven likely to be Democrats, seven Republicans and the 15th, the chairman, appointed by the governor. * Make RTA chairmanship a full-time chief executive job. ...

Bat maker's big stick: lobbying; Wilson scores in softball squeeze play.(News)
April 12, 2004... Byline: JEREMY MULLMAN On the softball field, Pat Ryan-manager of Wilson Sporting Goods Co.'s bat-making division-is a 6-foot-3-inch power-hitting third baseman. But Mr. Ryan's biggest hit came last year, when he successfully lobbied...

Sales tax on equipment no way to spur economy.(Opinion)(Brief Article)
April 12, 2004... R. R. Donnelley & Sons Co. is challenging Gov. Rod Blagojevich over sales taxes on equipment purchases. We hope the governor backs down. As part of his campaign to wring more tax dollars out of Illinois businesses, the governor pushed...

Time to face reality and build a global workforce.(Opinion)
April 12, 2004... Byline: John A. Challenger With growing fear over the rapid expansion of offshore outsourcing, there has never been a more important time to initiate a summit of education, labor, government and business leaders to fast-track programs that...

Some signs of life in technology spending.(Technology)(Sam's Wine & Spirits)
April 12, 2004... Byline: MICHELE DONLEY After three years in the deep freeze, companies are beginning to spend again on information technology. Even small retailers-traditionally resistant to new computer gear-are picking up the pace. Daryl Rosen,...

10 essential reads; The small business bookshelf is long, but the time most entrepreneurs have for reading is short. With that in mind, here is a list of the best books, old and new, on the biggest challenges small business owners face:.(Small Business)
April 12, 2004... The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What To Do About It By Michael E. Gerber A revision of consultant Mr. Gerber's 1985 classic on general small business management offers practical insights into how...

Retired execs tutoring up-and-comers; Entrepreneurs finding answers from biz veterans.(Small Business)
April 12, 2004... Byline: MARK HENRICKS New entrepreneurs with a solid idea but little real knowledge can tap decades of experience with a single phone call. That's what happened to Byron Stewart. He has a theater degree; his partner was an economics...

Feeling isolated? There's help; Peer groups offer everything from friendship to sales leads.(Small Business)
April 12, 2004... Byline: CYNTHIA HANSON Non-profit peer organizations such as the Young Executives Club of Chicago and the Young Entrepreneurs' Organization are like social clubs for the upwardly mobile. The organizations give carefully selected...

Locate where your workers are; Nearby colleges can benefit both business, students.(Small Business)
April 12, 2004... Byline: LISA LEITER Small businesses looking for ways to retain loyal, motivated employees should look to the closest community college. For the past 15 years Eli's Cheesecake Co., at 6701 W. Forest Preserve Drive, has partnered with...

Homegrown choices enrich One Book, One Chicago.(Opinion)(One Book, One Chicago program: to overcome differences)
April 19, 2004... Byline: Bill Savage The Chicago Public Library surprised me with its choice of Stuart Dybek's brilliant short-story collection, "The Coast of Chicago,'' for the latest One Book, One Chicago program. I've taught this book since its...

Bill would set boundaries on sales tax rebates.(News)
April 19, 2004... Byline: BOB TITA Legislation banning a method of maximizing rebates of municipal sales taxes to businesses is advancing through the Illinois General Assembly. Municipalities often return a portion of their local sales tax receipts to...

Datebook.(Datebook)(Calendar)
April 19, 2004... WEEK OF APRIL 19 APRIL 19: Career Resource Center Inc. presents Endless Possibilities. 10 a.m. Career Resource Center, Grove Cultural Campus, 40 E. Old Mill Road, Suite 105, Lake Forest. Fee: $40. (847) 295-5626. APRIL 20: Gray Hair...

Conventions.(Datebook)(Calendar)
April 19, 2004... WEEK OF APRIL 19 April 19-20: America's Ten 10s-Model Talent Search, Hilton Chicago, estimated attendance 1,050. April 19-22: Argonne National Laboratory, Drake Hotel, estimated attendance 200. April 20: Chicago Bolt, Nut and...

Name That Building; answers to quiz on page 3.(Briefs)
April 19, 2004... 1. c Aon Center The tower on Randolph Street began as the Standard Oil Building. Amoco acquired Standard Oil in 1986, changing the building name. It's now the Aon Center. It's also the tallest building in the U.S. to have its name changed....

Can drugstores find cure for overcharging? We'll see.(Opinion)(Department of Consumer Services)
April 19, 2004... Drugstores have come a long way from the days of the clanging cash register. Modern store technology does everything from managing inventory to tracking price trends. But despite all these advances, stores in Chicago can't seem to stop...

Hostway holds sway over a new domain; Lucrative .pro Web addresses for docs, lawyers.(News)(Hostway Corp.)
April 19, 2004... Byline: JULIE JOHNSSON Chicago's Hostway Corp. has snagged rights to a potentially lucrative piece of the Internet: a new domain suffix for Web addresses-.pro-aimed at doctors, lawyers and accountants who find it difficult to carve out...

Firm aids Pentagon with info battles; Building central database for military.(News)(Enterprise Warehousing Solutions Inc.)
April 19, 2004... Byline: PAUL MERRION WASHINGTON-A small data-management consulting firm in Hinsdale is helping the Pentagon do a better job of keeping U.S. armed forces supplied during peacetime and war. In last year's fast-paced attack on Iraq, the...

What's in a name? Perhaps $10 mil. Deal opens door to rechristening Sears Tower.(News)
April 19, 2004... Byline: ALBY GALLUN and DOROTHY KRONICK It's called the Sears Tower now, but for $10 million a year, you can call it anything you like. Once a group of New York real estate investors complete their purchase of the world-famous...

New Sox deals take fans inside baseball.(News)(Brief Article)
April 19, 2004... Byline: JEREMY MULLMAN The Chicago White Sox are looking for fans willing to handle some routine chores around the ballpark-and pay for the privilege. Team officials envision a "seven-figure'' revenue stream from selling the rights to...

Ex-trader out to win exchange listing for new IPO index fund; Hedge play for investors, but is there enough activity?(News)(IPOX Schuster LLC)
April 19, 2004... Byline: STEVEN R. STRAHLER A Chicago firm has developed a stock index fund that tracks performance of initial public offerings, much as the Dow Jones Industrial Average does blue-chip stocks. Billed as the nation's first tradable index...

State puts juvenile program to the test; Seeking cheaper ways to keep youths out of jail.(News)
April 19, 2004... Byline: GREG HINZ The state of Illinois is looking for a cheaper and better way to turn around the lives of young criminals than putting them behind bars. Under a pilot program expected to begin early this summer, up to six counties...

Independence at the heart of pay dispute for Ill. judges.(Opinion)
April 19, 2004... Byline: Michael K. Demetrio Lester Munson's March 29 guest column on the judicial compensation case before the Illinois Supreme Court demonstrates that he is uninformed as to both the nature of the issues before the court and the import of...

Late News.(miscellanious)(Correction Notice)
April 19, 2004... A SETBACK FOR CITY ON O'HARE PROJECT Delays are nothing new for O'Hare International Airport, but this one's a doozy: Construction of new runways can't begin until the fall of 2005 at the earliest, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)...