Crain's Chicago Business articles from December 2005

Crain's Chicago Business archives from December 2005

Park District courting trouble with pensions.(Opinion)(Chicago)
December 5, 2005... Chicago Park District officials are playing a dangerous, deceptive game with employee pension funding. It came to light last week that the Park District skipped $10 million in contributions to its pension funds over the past two fiscal...

This Week: United adds $25 fee for flight-switchers.(Briefs)(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... Byline: Julie Johnsson United Airlines is making it easier for business travelers who fly coach to catch earlier flights-but for a $25 fee. The fee, introduced Dec. 1, enables economy-class passengers traveling on discounted tickets to...

On the road with Trump.(Focus: Commercial Real Estate)
December 5, 2005... Byline: JOHN T. SLANIA The weather may have turned colder, but that hasn't slowed work on the $800 million Trump International Hotel & Tower. In our continuing series, Building Trump Tower, we checked in again with the Donald's...

McPier predicts sunnier year ahead; Cost cuts, with some help from Katrina, lead to revised financial forecast.(News)(Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority)
December 5, 2005... Byline: KATE RYAN The state agency that operates McCormick Place and Navy Pier says it will swing to an operating profit this year after previously projecting a $20-million loss. The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority-known as...

Raise a glass to the past; A men-only wine club in the new millennium? They'll drink to that.(The Business of Life)
December 5, 2005... Byline: MARK SCHEFFLER A night out with Les Gourmets, one of the city's top private wine connoisseur clubs, falls somewhere between a well-mannered stag party and a dinner scene from "Masterpiece Theater.'' Women are not allowed. Men...

Should I be "investing'' in Marshall Field's memorabilia?(The Business of Life)(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... Byline: Darci Smith Ornaments and the like may have memory-preserving value, but few collectibles appreciate greatly in price, says Julie Swano, owner of Past & Presents Antiques in Barrington. Her rule of thumb: If it didn't have artistic...

As apt. REIT shares rise, insiders sell; Investors hope rental rebound bodes well.(Markets)(Real estate investment trust)(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... Byline: ALBY GALLUN As apartments owned by Equity Residential fill up, the company's stock is surging and some insiders are cashing in. Shares in the Chicago-based real estate investment trust (REIT), whose founder and chairman is...

McD's hits 51/2-year high on spinoff spec.(Markets)(McDonald's Corp.)(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... Byline: Julie Jargon McDonald's stock hit its highest price since June 2000 last week on speculation that the company will be pressured to spin off most of its company-operated restaurants. The shares hit $35.33 Thursday, the same day...

Extreme makeovers; Mark Collins, senior vice-president with commercial real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. and property manager of 190 S. LaSalle St., has one request for clients: Make his building the final stop on their daylong tours of potential office space.(Focus: Commercial Real Estate)
December 5, 2005... Byline: D. MARIE STESHETZ What's the draw of this 40-story tower at the corner of LaSalle and West Adams? For starters, a new 6,500-square-foot Fitness Formula gym and an Asian fusion restaurant. But the real coup de grce comes when Mr....

Lighting the `cash register'; Citigroup Center wins renown for renovation done to brighten it up.(Focus: Commercial Real Estate)
December 5, 2005... Byline: D. MARIE STESHETZ Overlooking the south branch of the Chicago River on the corner of Madison and Canal streets, Citigroup Center at 500 W. Madison St. is one of the city's most prominent business addresses. It also features one of...

The Big Red One; Retooling the image of a real estate icon in Technicolor.(Focus: Commercial Real Estate)
December 5, 2005... Byline: D. MARIE STESHETZ Image is everything-especially in commercial real estate. So how do you change the image, and even the personality, of an office building that's been a fixture of Chicago's skyline since 1972? That's the...

Banking on a new look; The new owners of the Harris Bank building invest in raising its appeal.(Focus: Commercial Real Estate)(NOP HB Building LLC)
December 5, 2005... Byline: D. MARIE STESHETZ Everything old is new again? That's the hope, anyway, for the new owners of the Harris Bank building, constructed in 1974 and now undergoing a series of major facelifts. In March, a partnership between Hines...

The architects of perk.(Focus: Commercial Real Estate)(James Goettsch)(Goettsch Partners)(Interview)
December 5, 2005... Byline: EDWARD KEEGAN The UBS Tower, completed in 2001, was the first new multitenant office high-rise to go up in Chicago in nearly 10 years. The Hyatt Center, 111 S. Wacker Drive and Dearborn Center followed, designed with the...

Emerging nations driving cell boom; Handset sales jump in developing countries.(News)(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... Byline: JULIE JOHNSSON Consumers in Bangladesh are clamoring for cellular phones. The surge in handset sales in emerging nations, including some of the world's poorest, is triggering a worldwide wireless boom that has caught the industry's...

On the Move.(People)(Mesirow Financial Holdings Inc.)(Resurrection Health Care)(Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America Inc.)
December 5, 2005... FINANCIAL SERVICES Harris Nesbitt Corp., Chicago: Eric Schubert, 46, to managing director and head of structured finance, from managing director at Bank of America Corp. Mesirow Financial Holdings Inc., Chicago: Paul C. du Vair, 39, to...

Do baby boomers equal bright future? Peoria-based Maui Jim looks to aging population.(News)(Company Profile)
December 5, 2005... Byline: JULIE JARGON The sandy shores of Maui are a long way from the cornfields of Peoria, but the Downstate Illinois city is home to Maui Jim Inc., a sunglasses company that's hoping to ride the wave of aging baby boomers. Started...

Rosemont betting on movie theaters; $30-million project to help offset casino loss.(News)
December 5, 2005... Byline: STEVEN R. STRAHLER Stymied by the state in its quest to build a casino, Rosemont is turning to a luxury movie theater and restaurant complex to jumpstart the village's plans for an entertainment district-and drum up demand for a...

Need to Know.(Focus: Commercial Real Estate)
December 5, 2005... Byline: Sources: National Real Estate Investor; Real Capital Analytics; Torto Wheaton Research $1.1 billion Amount paid by Dubai's royal family for two midtown Manhattan properties-a Park Avenue office tower and an Art Deco hotel along...

Perking productivity.(Focus: Commercial Real Estate)(Chris Conley)(Illinois Institute of Design)(Interview)
December 5, 2005... Byline: SAMANTHA STAINBURN Your employees grumble that the gray cubicle walls are depressing and the copier machine is too far away, but do these things really affect their productivity? Some research suggests they do. National City Bank...

O Holiday Tree? Conservative groups pressure Walgreen, Sears to put 'Christmas' back in the season.(News)
December 5, 2005... Byline: PAUL MERRION After taking pains to secularize their marketing, big retailers like Sears Holdings Corp. and Walgreen Co. are now under fire from conservative groups who want to put Christmas back into holiday shopping. Sales of...

Illinois is losing clean energy businesses and jobs of the future.(Opinion)
December 5, 2005... Byline: Howard A. Learner Illinois is missing out on the growing clean energy business sector, as neighboring Midwest states gain the new manufacturing and development jobs and businesses while we fall behind. Wind power is the world's...

S. Side Ford plant looks like a survivor; Shutdowns likely to hit other factories, sending more production here.(News)
December 5, 2005... Byline: BOB TITA Ford Motor Co.'s Chicago assembly plant is poised to pick up new models after a wave of factory closings the ailing automaker is expected to announce next month. Industry observers predict Ford will shift models to the...

Sears sits out the season; As Wal-Mart, Target tout price cuts, Lampert takes more muted tack.(News)(Edward Lampert )
December 5, 2005... Byline: SANDRA JONES In a holiday season that's shaping up to be the Super Bowl of price-cutting, Sears Holdings Corp. is sitting on the sidelines. Archrival Wal-Mart Stores Inc. kicked off the critical Thanksgiving-to-Christmas...

For The Record.(Briefs)
December 5, 2005... The Chicago Tribune plans to shutter its City News Service, the local wire service that trained Chicago journalists for 115 years, in an effort to cut costs. It will also fold its weekly WomanNews section into the paper. Owner Tribune Co....

Top Table.(The Business of Life)(NoMI)(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... Seasons has a wider menu and elegant, Old World surroundings. But at the holidays, it's hard to beat the perfect perch over North Michigan Avenue offered by NoMi, along with French food in a classy, modern room. Ask for a window table when you...

U of I sees benefits of invention uptick; But increased income from patents still lags.(University of Illinois)
December 5, 2005... Byline: PAUL MERRION The University of Illinois is starting to get more bang for the buck on its research. After years of lagging other universities, a new survey says the Urbana and Chicago campuses are seeing a rise in inventions,...

Trump makes a mark; The Donald changes more than just a skyline.(Focus: Commercial Real Estate)(Donald Trump )
December 5, 2005... Byline: JOHN T. SLANIA When Donald Trump announced plans two years ago for his 92-story Trump International Hotel & Tower, he proclaimed it would be a "Chicago landmark for the 21st century.'' That kind of hype is expected from the...

From B+ to A; Loop office building hopes to make the grade.(Focus: Commercial Real Estate)(Madison Plaza)
December 5, 2005... Byline: D. MARIE STESHETZ What's in a letter? Quite a bit, especially when it comes to luring prospective tenants into Chicago's soft commercial real estate market. That's the strategy under way at developer Tishman Speyer Properties as it...

McD's, Ackman lobby for franchisee backing; Company stokes fears of hedge fund's plan.(News)(McDonald's Corp.)(William Ackman)(Pershing Square L.P.)
December 5, 2005... Byline: JULIE JARGON The struggle between McDonald's Corp. and William Ackman is turning into a battle for the hearts and minds of McDonald's franchisees. After the hedge fund manager last month floated his plan to spin off 65% of...

Gem smart: Show me what else you've got; Special, but put away; heading for the vault.(The Business of Life)
December 5, 2005... Byline: ANNE MOORE Sparkling gems are laid out in abundance in display cases to lure holiday shoppers. But if you're looking to drop four figures or more for a piece of jewelry, do what sophisticates have done for years: Ask what's in the...

Chicago's style council.(Focus: Commercial Real Estate)(Goettsch Partners)(Tanager Design Group Inc.)(Interview)
December 5, 2005... As commercial landlords try to lure tenants amid a glut of downtown office space, they turn to the design experts to make them look good. It's an undertaking that goes beyond picking out paint and laying new carpet (although in some cases, that...

Quick Study.(The Business of Life)
December 5, 2005... Byline: Dan Weissmann Democratic U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., 40, has represented his South Side and south suburban district since 1995. In November, Congress passed a bill introduced by Rep. Jackson to honor Rosa Parks. His list: In...

Meat Marketer.(The Business of Life)(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... Byline: Kevin Davis Jerry Farr, 55, owner, J&M Kosher Meat Market, Chicago Years on the job: 33 Salary: Up to $50,000 a year. Duties: Cuts and trims kosher meats to order, makes deliveries. Prepares his own homemade chopped...

Selling a big, empty space.(Focus: Commercial Real Estate)(Tere Proctor)(Interview)
December 5, 2005... Byline: JOHN T. SLANIA Tere Proctor, director of sales for Trump International Hotel & Tower, has been selling high-end residential real estate in Chicago for more than 30 years. She has worked for many prominent developers, including JMB...

Datebook.(Calendar/Datebook)(Calendar)
December 5, 2005... THIS Week DEC. 5: Illinois CPA Society presents Town Hall Forum. 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Standard Club, 320 S. Plymouth Court. Free. (312) 993-0393. DEC. 5: Mid-America Club presents 2006 Outlook: Global Politics and the Economy. Noon....

Chase, Citi in bout to build branches; But Bank One network puts Dimon out ahead.(News)(J. P. Morgan Chase & Co.)
December 5, 2005... Byline: TOM FREDRICKSON Crain News Service J. P. Morgan Chase & Co. recently took the stage in one of New York's best hotels to talk up the banking company's latest, greatest idea for pumping up profits: opening more branches. ...

Investment house banks on charity; Incapital selling bonds on behalf of non-profit.(News)
December 5, 2005... Byline: KATE RYAN A local investment bank hopes to give a big boost to a charitable foundation over the next year, but not by simply writing a check. Chicago-based Incapital LLC underwrites corporate bonds and sells them to individual...

PRABHU TACKLES TELLABS' PUZZLE; Telecom vet engineering change at gear maker.(News)(Krish A. Prabhu)
December 5, 2005... Byline: SHRUTI DATE SINGH Tellabs Inc. CEO Krish A. Prabhu is hooked on Sudoku, a Japanese puzzle that taps his deductive reasoning skills. The Indian-born engineer takes a similar analytical approach when asked if the telecom gear...

Conventions.(Calendar/Datebook)(Calendar)
December 5, 2005... THIS WEEK DEC. 5-8: Search Engine Strategies, Hilton Chicago, estimated attendance 3,500. DEC. 7-9: American Seed Trade Assn., Hyatt Regency Chicago, estimated attendance 2,600. DEC. 7-9: National Conference of State Legislatures,...

Shorts bet against Corus; With nearly 90% of its loans in condo projects and meager reserves, lender attracts bears.(Markets)(Corus Bankshares Inc.)
December 5, 2005... Byline: STEVE DANIELS Short-sellers are betting that a future slowdown in condominium sales will hammer the stock of Corus Bankshares Inc., an aggressive condo development lender. While shares of Chicago-based Corus are up 22% this...

Judy's choice; TO RUN AS TRUE REFORMER, TOPINKA MUST DISTANCE HERSELF FROM GOP MONEY MEN.(News)
December 5, 2005... Byline: Greg Hinz As much as creating jobs or balancing the books, scrubbing state government squeaky clean ought to be a foundation issue for the GOP in the governor's race. Incumbent Democrat Rod Blagojevich promised to change the...

Holiday spirits lift at celebratory meals; First-class treats; choose traditional or modern.(The Business of Life)
December 5, 2005... Byline: VIRGINIA GERST The holiday season calls for more than stepping out to lunch. It calls for stepping up the price point for a special meal. Two hotel restaurants serve upscale meals in surroundings to match and are just a quick...

With crop of retro trees, it's easy not being green.(The Business of Life)
December 5, 2005... Byline: Jennifer Olvera Stainless steel and aluminum originals from 1940s through '60s are seeing a serious resurgence. Modern-day counterparts of tinsel or even feathers are all the rage-as a replacement for fresh-cut trees or in addition...

Stemming listener slide by boosting tunes.(People)(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... Byline: Gregory Meyer Job: Regional vice-president for Chicago radio market, Clear Channel Communications Inc., since last month. Vitals: 48 years old; bachelor's degree, Norfolk State University, 1980. Safety and cornerback, Atlanta...

At Deadline.(Late News)
December 5, 2005... Report: Cat kicks engine maker's tires Caterpillar is among the potential buyers eyeing German diesel engine maker MTU Friedrichshafen, according to a report in Chicago-based industry newsletter Stark's Component Ledger. A spokesman for...

A call for sundry shops and trains.(Focus: Commercial Real Estate)(interview with Jack Durburg from CB Richard Ellis)(Interview)
December 5, 2005... Byline: Kathryn Peterson Jack Durburg heads Chicago's No. 1 commercial real estate brokerage. With more than 500 employees in Chicago, including 169 brokers, El Segundo, Calif-based CB Richard Ellis' Chicago office brought in $120 million...

Repay patient UAL creditors with stock info.(Opinion)(United Air Lines Inc.)
December 12, 2005... United Airlines' creditors haven't asked much from CEO Glenn Tilton and his top managers over the course of the airline's three-year sojourn in Bankruptcy Court. They've agreed to repeated extensions of the period during which Mr. Tilton's...

Little food, big wine.(The Business of Life)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Lisa Bertagnoli California wine? Big bashes? Forget it. Here are the trends for this year's crop of parties: Small food. Big steaks are out; small filets and lamb chops are in. And flavor profiles are becoming more global: more...

Healthy curiosity.(The Business of Life)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Dan Weissmann Joy V. Cunningham was the first black woman to serve as president of the Chicago Bar Assn.; she finished her one-year term in June. She now intends to run for a seat on the Illinois Appellate Court in 2006. A win...

New Brunswick chief on course to buy more.(People)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Gregory Meyer Job: Chairman and CEO, Brunswick Corp., since Dec. 7. Vitals: 56 years old; bachelor's degree, Eastern Kentucky University, 1972; law degree, Chase College of Law, 1978. Associate general counsel, Ashland Oil...

CALLING DR. FEELGOOD; Northwestern hopes pop-culture doc's 'RealAge' formula can give exec health program a lift.(News)
December 12, 2005... Byline: SHRUTI DATE SINGH Patients going through Northwestern Memorial Hospital's new executive health program had better be prepared to answer some personal questions, courtesy of a top-selling author who made his name on "The Oprah...

Investors cry foul over fund losses; Money manager ordered to return $18.7 million after lawsuits allege fraud.(News)
December 12, 2005... Byline: KATE RYAN A group of wealthy investors has sued Chicago money manager David J. Doerge, accusing him of fraud, and is seeking to recover millions of dollars. The plaintiffs-including Avery J. Stone, former director of Stone...

This Week - Chic cell: a gold Razr by Dolce & Gabbana.(Briefs)(Motorola Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Julie Johnsson Yet another sign that the Razr has become a fashion icon: Motorola has created a special gold edition of its ultrathin cell phone for Italian design house Dolce & Gabbana. The Schaumburg-based electronics company is...

Creative Allen's has seasonal flair; Winning combinations fill ever-changing menu.(The Business of Life)
December 12, 2005... Byline: LAURA BIANCHI New American cuisine is on the table at two upscale restaurants, one a Mag Mile newcomer, one a River North success. Both brag about fresh, seasonal ingredients, but each chef interprets those differently, and only...

Hard job, nice view; Meet the bravest-and surely the coldest-workers in Chicago.(Focus: Small Business)(Corporate Cleaning Services Inc.)
December 12, 2005... Byline: SARAH A. KLEIN Finding people willing to scale a 100-story building to clean its windows isn't like advertising for a good housekeeper. It takes a certain amount of nerve, an almost genetic indifference to heights. "We're lucky...

Heeeeeeere, ratsy, ratsy; In Rat vs. Man, don't always bet on two legs.(Focus: Small Business)(Rose Pest Solutions)
December 12, 2005... Byline: SARAH A. KLEIN More than two decades later, Robert Dold Sr. still remembers the battle to capture an old factory rat that bested him at every turn. The rat gobbled fish and peanut butter on baited traps like hors d'oeuvres,...

On the Move.(People)(Aon Risk Services)(Fifth Third Bank)(Amalgamated Bank of Chicago)
December 12, 2005... FINANCIAL SERVICES Amalgamated Bank of Chicago, Chicago: Joseph C. Serpico, 58, to vice-president and relationship manager, from president and business representative at International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1031. Aon...

Career Ed is tested as unit put on notice.(Markets)(Career Education Corp. )(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Kate Ryan Shares of Career Education Corp. dropped 10% last week after the company said its American InterContinental University was placed on probation for a year by a regional accrediting body. Career Ed didn't disclose the...

Dog Houser.(The Business of Life)(Joseph Giannini)(Urban Out Sitters Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Sarah A. Klein Joseph Giannini, 35, president of pet care service Urban Out Sitters Inc., with locations in the West Loop and Lakeview. Years on the job: Five Salary: $80,000 to $100,000 Duties: Oversees care of 180 to...

The Real Deal.(News)(Glenn Tilton )(United Airlines )(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... United Airlines CEO Glenn Tilton has plenty of experience in consolidation and strategic deal-making. 2001 Deal: Texaco-Chevron merger Size: $35 billion Tilton's role: Planned, executed deal as senior vice-president and later...

In the Stars.(Briefs)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Proposed trade rules would make it easier for United Airlines and Star Alliance partner Lufthansa A.G. to pair up. Gets a jump on consolidation that's producing global mega-carriers. Deep-pocketed Lufthansa provides capital. ...

Confidential kitchens; (and laundries and loading docks. . .).(Focus: Small Business)(Four Seasons Hotel Chicago)
December 12, 2005... Byline: GRETCHEN WAHL At the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, luxury looks and feels effortless. That's one reason why the Gold Coast hotel's awards include five stars from the Mobil Travel Guide, five diamonds from AAA and perennial inclusion...

Need to Know.(Focus: Small Business)
December 12, 2005... 56 Approximate number of species in the genus Rattus, including the black rat and brown rat. 37 Number of cameos made by director Alfred Hitchcock, including his 1963 appearance in "The Birds.'' 279 feet: Lake Michigan's average depth....

Hitchcock in Chicago? Beware the seagulls; Got a bird problem? Then call this company.(Focus: Small Business)(Bird-X Inc.)
December 12, 2005... Byline: SARAH A. KLEIN For many years, birds taunted and harassed Navy Pier visitors like a group of rowdy teenagers. Seagulls crashed parties on the terrace, helping themselves to food intended for guests. Sparrows flew through open doors...

Corporate giving falls; As HQ base shrinks, so does philanthropy; a 22% drop in grants.(News)
December 12, 2005... Byline: JEREMY MULLMAN The decades-long exodus of corporate headquarters from Chicago appears to be taking a toll on local charities, according to a new survey to be released this week. The survey by the Donors Forum of Chicago, an...

As execs sell, investors snap up Ryerson.(Markets)(Ryerson Tull Inc. )
December 12, 2005... Byline: BOB TITA Ryerson Tull Inc. executives plan to sell hundreds of thousands of shares, but that isn't scaring away investors from the nation's largest steel distributor. While news of insider selling can trigger a sell-off,...

Halo tarnish; SEN. OBAMA, ELEVATED TO SAINTLY STATUS, PULLS AN EARTHLY POLITICAL DEAL.(News)(Barack Obama )
December 12, 2005... Byline: Greg Hinz For more than two years, since even before he was elected to Congress, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama has lived in political nirvana, a place of rarefied air with few other occupants. The media hang on your every word when...

THE BILLIONAIRE NEXT DOOR; Rich, but not famous: Michael Kelly's net worth has soared along with FBOP Corp.'s growth.(News)(First Bank of Oak Park)
December 12, 2005... Byline: STEVEN R. STRAHLER and STEVE DANIELS While billionaires typically amass notoriety to match their wealth, Oak Park banker Michael Kelly managed to build a personal empire worth about $3 billion without drawing attention to himself....

Which way is Boeing going? The shares hit a record high last week and plane orders are up, but key insiders are unloading stock.(Markets)
December 12, 2005... Byline: PAUL MERRION It doesn't take an aviation expert to know what goes up must come down. Still, Boeing Co.'s stock hit a record high of $70.07 last week even after company executives grounded expectations for next year. On...

On point: new stitch trend; Fine silks bring luster to once-homey hobby.(The Business of Life)
December 12, 2005... Byline: GRETCHEN WAHL Knitting an iPod cozy is participating in a trend. Stitching a William Morris floral design on a cushion is creating an heirloom. As the recent knitting craze is dying down, needlepoint continues its steady...

Illinois' top judge in a legal scrimmage that's unbecoming.(Opinion)(Bob Thomas )
December 12, 2005... Byline: Lester Munson Using a calculus of vote-getting charm and raw power, Bob Thomas is easily the most important Republican in Illinois. He has used his engaging persona, his celebrity as a former Bears kicker and his tales of Mike...

Late bites: dining after midnight.(The Business of Life)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Jennifer Olvera All of a sudden, Chicago has boomed with late-night dining options of the highest order, giving revelers hope beyond greasy griddle grub. Instead, artful edibles-often culled from the restaurants' regular menus-can...

Gardens of the sky; roofs, too; Look up-there may be something blooming.(Focus: Small Business)(Intrinsic Landscaping Inc.)
December 12, 2005... Byline: MEREDITH LANDRY On warmer days, the rooftop at the Quaker Oats building at 555 W. Monroe St. fills with people. Determined to grab the last few rays of sun, employees lounge in what appears to be a backyard. This green playground,...

Ackman 101: Debt squeezes growth; Interest costs outweigh benefits of his plan for McDonald's.(News)(William Ackman)
December 12, 2005... Byline: JULIE JARGON Hedge fund manager William Ackman's proposal to restructure McDonald's Corp. isn't likely to give the burger maker's stock the boost he predicts, but would burden the company with debt that could hinder future growth,...

Episode One: The Rough Draft; In which our fearless truth sleuths reveal a piece of Vatican history.(Focus: Small Business)
December 12, 2005... Scene one A visiting scholar tells Art Institute curators and a conservator that he suspects an insect-grazed drawing in the museum's collection may be the work of Guido Reni, the Italian Baroque painter whose works grace the Vatican. But...

Creatures from the black lake; A fish-eye view of a dark, wet and booming Chicago-area small business.(Focus: Small Business)(Lindahl Marine Contractors Inc.)(Company Profile)
December 12, 2005... Byline: MEREDITH LANDRY For more than 30 years, Lindahl Marine Contractors Inc. has answered the question, "What lies beneath?'' Lindahl, a Romeoville-based full-service diving firm, offers expertise in all kinds of underwater...

Speed bumps for hotel/condo plan; As nearby Westin objects, developers face another obstacle: an X-rated shop.(News)
December 12, 2005... Byline: ALBY GALLUN An existing hotel and nearby adult bookstore are complicating the plans of developers Albert Friedman and Richard Stein as they try to launch a major hotel/condo project on a prime River North parcel. The developers...

At Deadline.(Late News)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Allstate jacks up car insurance rates Allstate is raising car insurance rates for nearly half its Illinois customers. Effective Monday, auto rates will rise 2.4% for drivers with liability and collision insurance; drivers with policies...

For The Record.(Briefs)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Leo Burnett lost its advertising account with the U.S. Army, the government's largest, to McCann Erickson of New York. The Army said the contract could be worth up to $1.35 billion over five years. NYSE members voted to buy all-electronic...

Jones Lang to buy CenterPoint.(Briefs)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... CenterPoint Properties Trust agreed to be acquired by a partnership of Chicago-based Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. and the California Public Employees' Retirement System in a $3.4-billion deal. The Oak Brook-based real estate investment trust, the...

CSI: Chicago Art Institute; You can't see all the art on display-here's why.(Focus: Small Business)
December 12, 2005... Byline: SARAH A. KLEIN Without special permission and a picture ID, the Ferguson Memorial Building at the Art Institute of Chicago is off-limits to visitors. It's understandable, but unfortunate. The wing, which houses offices and lab...

Tilton clear for takeoff on deals; With new trade rules, United CEO is set to do what he does best.(News)(Glenn Tilton)
December 12, 2005... Byline: JULIE JOHNSSON AND PAUL MERRION After three stormy years at United Airlines, the clouds may be parting for Glenn Tilton. Mr. Tilton, a former oil executive, arrived at United just before the company sought bankruptcy protection...

Is it Scrooge-like to prorate holiday tips for those you've worked with for less than a year?(The Business of Life)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Darci Smith It's logical-and expected-to base tips on length of service in addition to frequency, quality and importance in your life, says Caroline Tiger, author of "How to Behave: A Guide to Modern Manners for the Socially...

Hot invites for holidays; Social, business elites mix at select crop of parties; on guest lists, many are culled, few are chosen.(The Business of Life)
December 12, 2005... Byline: LISA BERTAGNOLI As a year-end accounting of who matters in Chicago, it's hard to top the guest lists of a few select holiday parties. Desirable return addresses on invitations include attorney Dan Weil, restaurateur Jerry...