Crain's Chicago Business articles from February 2006

Crain's Chicago Business archives from February 2006

Quick-lunch scene gets an energy boost; Variety brightens menus at Go Roma, Spa Cafe.(The Business of Life)(restaurants and its services)
February 6, 2006... Byline: LAURA BIANCHI Top-level lunches in swank restaurants aren't always required. Sometimes quick and inexpensive are perfect for a demanding day. If the food is delicious, that's a bonus. Here are three that fit the model. Go Roma...

Is it possible to eliminate your fax machine?(The Business of Life)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... Byline: Darci Smith Ditching it in favor of an Internet-based faxing service-Google "Internet fax'' for providers-eliminates the need for equipment maintenance, ink cartridges and an additional phone line. For a flat fee, you can send...

Auction bidders go for intangibles; Movie roles, celeb lunches enrich charities; buying an experience.(The Business of Life)
February 6, 2006... Byline: LISA BERTAGNOLI Forget fur coats or gift baskets. Experiences are the hot "going, going, gone'' items at charity auctions these days. From spa days to celebrity meetings, these items draw attention for their uniqueness-but for...

Energy, medical care push up local inflation; Chicago-area consumer prices in 2005 rose at highest rate since 2000.(News)
February 6, 2006... Byline: SANDRA JONES It's getting more expensive to live in Chicago. Consumer prices in the Chicago area rose 3.6% for 2005, the largest gain since 2000, as Chicagoans paid more to fuel their vehicles, heat their homes, buy groceries,...

Investor wants Donnelley to stoke stock; Printer should buy own shares, fund says.(Markets)(R. R. Donnelley & Sons Co)
February 6, 2006... Byline: PAUL MERRION Printer R. R. Donnelley & Sons Co.'s image as a turnaround story is starting to blur. Last year, investors applauded CEO Mark Angelson's strategy of buying rivals, getting rid of non-essential businesses and...

LONG ODDS IN LOMBARD; Opting for independence, Yorktown owner takes on mall giants.(News)(Long/Pehrson Associates LLC's Robert Long's real estate development plans)
February 6, 2006... Byline: SANDRA JONES Robert Long, one of the last independent holdouts in a consolidating shopping mall market, is bracing for his biggest battle yet as head of the Yorktown Center in Lombard. After 30 years running the family-owned...

Conventions.(Calendar/Datebook)(Calendar)
February 6, 2006... THIS WEEK FEB. 7-11: American Camping Assn., Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, estimated attendance 1,000. FEB. 10-12: Illinois Gymnastics Institute, Navy Pier, estimated attendance 10,384. FEB. 10-19: Chicago Auto Show, McCormick...

Baby Maker.(The Business of Life)(Anne Borkowski from North Shore Fertility clinic)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... Byline: Sarah A. Klein Anne Borkowski, 40, a physician who specializes in reproductive endocrinology at North Shore Fertility clinic in Skokie. Duties: Diagnosing cause of infertility and treating it, if possible. 40% of her cases are...

Tot togs toughen up.(The Business of Life)(trends in consumer preference in T-shirts)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Olvera Go ahead, peer inside that designer stroller: You just might see an innocent face above a skull and crossbones-emblazoned T-shirt. Stores like Psychobaby, a hipster-tyke shop in Bucktown, and Lmnop, with kid-chic...

Unlike United, USG fair to its shareholders.(Opinion)(United Airlines and USG Corp)
February 6, 2006... Two of the area's longest-running bankruptcy reorganizations are winding down, with dramatically different results for shareholders. United Airlines, which emerged from Chapter 11 last week after three years, stripped stockholders of their...

The master plan; The 2006 Crain's guide to personal finance.(Focus: Personal Finance)(ProManage LLC's Michael Falk and Jane Bryant Quinn's suggestions)
February 6, 2006... Byline: CHRISTINA LE BEAU You know you should save more money. And pay off debt. And plan for retirement. But have you done it? Not according to the people who track these things. The U.S. Commerce Department reported last week that...

Tax cut slices into state's casino winnings; Gambling companies must cover shortfall, but only for two years.(News)
February 6, 2006... Byline: SHRUTI DATE SINGH Illinois' revenue from gambling taxes tumbled in the six-month period after the state cut the top marginal tax rate on casinos. Last July, Illinois rolled back the highest tax rate on casinos to 50% from the...

School plan falls behind; Daley project strains to raise $50 mil.-and it may not be enough.(News)(Richard M. Daley's Renaissance 2010)
February 6, 2006... Byline: JEREMY MULLMAN AND GREG HINZ Renaissance 2010, Mayor Richard M. Daley's ambitious plan to create 100 new schools, is struggling to meet its fund-raising goals. Citing disappointing early returns and a difficult fund-raising...

TTX CFO to make sure new cars add up.(People)(chief financial officer)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... Byline: Gregory Meyer Job: Vice-president and chief financial officer at TTX Co., the Chicago-based railcar leasing giant, since Jan. 1. Vitals: 50 years old; bachelor's degree in nursing, University of Virginia, 1977; MBA, University...

Turning a mess into success; Sears selling Northbrook dad's zip-up toy bins.(News)(Neat-Oh International LLC's Wayne Rothschild's innovation and marketing of play mat, ZipBin)
February 6, 2006... Byline: JULIE JARGON Wayne Rothschild, an inventor who's designed patented airplane parts, slot machines and food packaging, enlisted the help of his 10-year-old son for his latest creation: a play mat that converts into a toy-storage bin...

Phone maker rings up sales, but still no profit.(Annual Meeting)(Telular Corp)
February 6, 2006... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY Executives at Telular Corp. used to worry about the challenge of persuading people in the Third World to use their fixed wireless cellular phones instead of waiting for copper lines to reach their front door. But...

Jets give parts maker a lift; Orders look strong for Rockford company.(Annual Meeting)(Woodward's company sales and earnings)
February 6, 2006... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY As the two giants of commercial aviation, Boeing Co. and Airbus SAS, battled in what turned out to be a record-setting year for airplane orders, Woodward Governor Co. stood to gain no matter what. Of the 4,800...

Setting timer on Kraft's CEO; Investors restless despite Deromedi's cost-cutting.(News)(Roger Deromedi )
February 6, 2006... Byline: JULIE JARGON Kraft Foods Inc. CEO Roger Deromedi has proven he's not afraid to lay people off and shut factories down. But investors say that if he can't deliver growth, the next pink slip may be his. Wall Street was surprised...

Zell stake pays dividends; Glenview-based Anixter borrows so Chairman Zell, other investors can pocket millions.(Markets)(Anixter International Inc.'s dividend payment to Sam Zell)
February 6, 2006... Byline: JULIE JOHNSSON Telecom gear distributor Anixter International Inc. paid a special dividend in October that cheered shareholders like Chairman Sam Zell-who pocketed $20 million-but strapped the company with added debt. ...

Shhh! Bidding secrets.(The Business of Life)(silent auctions)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... Byline: Lisa Bertagnoli Silent auctions, in which potential buyers view goods arrayed on tables and bid by writing a dollar amount on a nearby piece of paper, might not carry the spark of a live auction-but there's still an art to getting...

Need to Know.(Focus: Personal Finance)(number of stocks at New York Stock Exchange Inc., number of mutual funds and Dow Jones and Company Inc.'s industrial average)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... Byline: Sources: "The Wall Street Journal Complete Money & Investing Guidebook,'' Morningstar Inc. 1792 Year of the Buttonwood Agreement, when a group of New York brokers met beneath a buttonwood tree in lower Manhattan and agreed to...

This Week: Lampert tacks on more Sears shares.(Briefs)(Edward Lampert's hedge fund's stake increased in Hoffman Estates)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... Byline: Sandra Jones Sears Chairman Edward Lampert's hedge fund increased its stake in the Hoffman Estates company on Jan. 18 when it received 533,849 shares related to settlement of Kmart bankruptcy claims, according to a filing. The...

BEITLER'S TV TOWER: PIE IN THE SKY? Spat with partner, other obstacles threaten grandiose project-and developer's comeback.(News)(Beitler Co.'s J. Paul Beitler case of restraint of trade)
February 6, 2006... Byline: ALBY GALLUN Just a few months after proposing a 2,000-foot-tall broadcast tower near Navy Pier, developer J. Paul Beitler already faces a lawsuit over the project that could re- establish him as a premier downtown developer. ...

A hands-off approach.(Focus: Personal Finance)(interview with Burton Malkiel of Princeton University)(Interview)
February 6, 2006... Byline: SAMANTHA STAINBURN It's been 33 years since Princeton University economics professor Burton Malkiel advised investors to fill their portfolios with index funds. Over time, he argued in his book "A Random Walk Down Wall Street,''...

The penny pincher.(Focus: Personal Finance)(interview with Mark Berg of Timothy Financial Counsel Inc)(Interview)
February 6, 2006... Byline: SAMANTHA STAINBURN If you run into Mark Berg and his sons at a shopping mall food court, chances are they'll be munching on snacks brought from home. Such frugality is critical for keeping personal finances under control, says Mr....

At Deadline.(Late News)(Joseph Cari appointed to Dilenschneider Group Inc., Paul Yovovich resigns from Huron Consulting Group and Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. buys building from River North Sales & Service)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... Ex-DNC money man Cari lands PR gig Joseph Cari, the attorney and former Democratic National Committee finance chairman who in September pleaded guilty to attempted extortion in a kickback scheme involving a state pension fund, has joined...

On the Move.(People)(Robert B. Loveman joins Brownson Rehmus & Foxworth Inc)(Charles D. Dreher joins Commonwealth Capital Advisors)(Dennis A. Peterson joins Bell Boyd & Lloyd LLC)
February 6, 2006... FINANCIAL SERVICES Allstate Insurance Co., Northbrook: Cynthia Hardy Young, 39, to president of Encompass Insurance, from assistant vice-president of product operations. Brownson Rehmus & Foxworth Inc., Chicago: Robert B. Loveman, 58,...

Wine status: your own locker; Restaurant perk allows hosting with a flourish.(The Business of Life)
February 6, 2006... Byline: LAURA BIANCHI Prominently displayed like stylish gym cubbies with mesh doors, private wine lockers typically hold a couple of cases of wine and at least as much cachet. But they're a scarce commodity at Chicago-area restaurants and...

Chicago posts most hotel sales in U.S. Investors take notice as rooms here fill up.(News)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... Byline: ALBY GALLUN Sales of local hotels more than tripled last year as rising occupancies and room rates attracted a herd of investors to the market. Forty-one hotels here changed hands for a combined $1.24 billion, up from 13 sales...

Word Watcher.(The Business of Life)(Hermene Hartman from newspaper publishing industry)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... Byline: Christina Le Beau Hermene Hartman publishes free black weekly newspaper N'Digo and last week relaunched Savoy-formerly a print magazine-online. She's also the newly re-elected president of the Alliance of Business Leaders and...

Moto rolls out big Pebl push in China; Campaign includes largest ad in Beijing.(News)
February 6, 2006... Byline: NORMANDY MADDEN Crain News Service BEIJING-Motorola Inc. has wrapped its Beijing HQ, Christo-style, with that city's largest-ever outdoor ad, a poster 13 stories tall for its Pebl U6 cell phone. "Motorola recently rolled out...

Homeowners stuck in middle; Treasurer raps lenders' 'misposted' tax payments, but borrowers get rattled.(News)
February 6, 2006... Byline: STEVEN R. STRAHLER When Angela and Marshall Steele tried to refinance the mortgage on their $77,500 South Side house last summer, they confronted a deal-breaker: The mortgage holder hadn't paid their escrowed property taxes for two...

Northern's latest calling: London; In first foreign foray, bank going where no one knows its name.(News)(Northern Trust Corp)
February 6, 2006... Byline: STEVE DANIELS As head of Northern Trust Corp.'s first wealth management office in Europe, Nick Ring must carve a foothold for the Chicago bank in markets where relationships between the rich and their money managers go back...

ARE YOU A CONFORMIST? DON'T READ THIS.
February 6, 2006... Byline: CHRISTINA LE BEAU Money burning a hole in your pocket? Viable investments are not all about tax-deferred annuities or bond index funds. Nonconformist investors can, and do, find interesting opportunities off the beaten path. And...

Asbestos settlement drives up USG Corp.(Markets)(increase in shares)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... Byline: Kate Ryan Shares of USG Corp. shot up 21% to $96.37 last week after the company said it would pay as much as $3.95 billion to settle personal injury claims related to asbestos exposure. The maker of Sheetrock, operating under...

Eat your green; A BIG-BUCKS TOLLWAY LEASE DEAL IS THE ROAD TO BETTER FISCAL HEALTH FOR ILLINOIS.
February 6, 2006... Byline: Greg Hinz I never was big on peas, or lima beans for that matter. I still don't like 'em-does anyone really like lima beans?-but eventually the adults in the family got across the idea that fruits and veggies are part of what it...

UAL's shares fall sharply.(Briefs)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2006... Shares of United Airlines parent UAL Corp. fell as much as 8.7% on Friday, their second day of trading since the company exited bankruptcy last week. Friday was also the second day of declines for the shares, which analysts had predicted would...

For The Record.(Tribune Co. (Chicago, Illinois) and Boeing Co.'s financial data, Hospira Inc. to cut jobs and plants)
February 6, 2006... Prosecutors rested their corruption case against former Gov. George Ryan after 18 weeks in which witnesses told how he got free vacations and other valuables while friends and lobbyists got rich on state contracts. Staff of the Illinois...

Datebook.(Calendar/Datebook)
February 6, 2006... THIS WEEK FEB. 7: Small Business Development Center at Jane Addams Hull House presents Business Basics. 6 to 8 p.m. Bessie Coleman Library, 731 E. 63rd St. Free. (773) 955-8027. FEB. 7: Empowering Women Network Inc. presents How to...

Tort reform group slapped the wrong label on Cook courts.(Opinion)
February 6, 2006... Byline: Michael B. Hyman Don't believe for one minute that the Cook County Circuit Court is a "judicial hellhole.'' That's what the American Tort Reform Assn. (ATRA) branded our courts recently. The judiciary, bar and public all deserve an...

Medicare, generics could boost Walgreen.(Markets)(forecasts of financial data)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... Byline: H. Lee Murphy The pick: Blair holds 5.6 million Walgreen Co. shares valued at nearly $242.3 million. The stock has traded down recently over concerns about costs of the new Medicare prescription drug benefit for seniors. Still,...

Biz donors abstain in GOP primary; Guv hopefuls attract few corporate dollars.(News)
February 13, 2006... Byline: GREG HINZ Corporate Chicago so far is voting absentee when it comes to donating cash to the four GOP candidates for governor. Contributions from companies and executives are just trickling into the primary contenders, even...

Maria's way; COOK COUNTY BOARD PRESIDENT COULD LEARN SOMETHING FROM TREASURER PAPPAS.(News)(John H. Stroger Jr., Maria Pappas)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Greg Hinz If Cook County Board President John H. Stroger Jr. and allies are to be believed, the Democratic race against insurgent Commissioner Forrest Claypool this primary season pits a man with a heart against Data, the...

Tank Filler.(The Business of Life)(Chicago Automobile Trade Association's Jerry H. Cizek III's Chicago Auto Show)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Dan Weissmann Jerry H. Cizek III, 59, is president of the Chicago Automobile Trade Assn. and general manager of the Chicago Auto Show, which runs through Sunday at McCormick Place. How he keeps up to speed: Follows car industry...

Drive and dash: quality carryout; French food on the fly? Pickup dinners fare well.(The Business of Life)(Bistrot Margot, Platiyo and Carson's)
February 13, 2006... Byline: ANNE MOORE If you're in your car headed home at the end of a workday, a carryout meal from one of Chicago's finer restaurants is a terrific option-and far faster than delivery, which can take an hour or more. For carryout, most...

If you're in an accident and a tow truck driver shows up offering service, what to do?(The Business of Life)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Kevin Davis "If anyone comes up to you unsolicited, proceed cautiously,'' says a spokesman for Northbrook-based Allstate Insurance Co. "It's always advisable not to do anything until the police show up.'' Tow companies may haul...

Body Builder.(The Business of Life)(Chicago Restorations' George Kovanda)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Kevin Davis George Kovanda, 60, owner of Chicago Restorations, Northlake. Duties: Rebuilds and restores antique and classic cars. Specializes in models from the 1930s and '40s; is currently working on 1927 Cadillac. "I'm also...

France; Jean-Laurent Vilon - 30 - president, Safran LLC.(Focus: Small Business)(Biography)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Meredith Landry In 2002, Toulouse-born Jean-Laurent Vilon launched Safran LLC, a Chicago-based branding and graphic design agency that now has more than 30 U.S. and European clients. After working on both sides of the Atlantic for...

Mexico; Roberto Ramirez - 46 - CEO, Tidy International.(Focus: Small Business)(Biography)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Sarah A. Klein Roberto Ramirez is not ashamed to admit that he illegally crossed the border into the U.S. when he was 13. He was caught and thrown in jail for two weeks and deported. At age 14 he tried again, and succeeded. Once in...

This Week: Condo conversion eyed at North Pier.(Briefs)(MCL Construction Corp.)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Alby Gallun Chicago-based residential developer MCL is considering converting some of the office space in River East Plaza in Streeterville into condos, a spokesman says. Formerly known as North Pier Terminal, the six-story brick...

Ill. hospital cuts: $1bil.+; Bush budget adds to health care providers' financial worries.(News)(George W. Bush's medicaid plan)
February 13, 2006... Byline: PAUL MERRION AND SHRUTI DATE SINGH WASHINGTON - Illinois hospitals face a billion-dollar hit in the Bush administration's latest attempt to rein in federal spending on health care. The cutbacks could total as much as $2 billion...

SEGAL VS. SEGAL; Son of Crate & Barrel founder steps into the retail ring - and takes on his old man's firm.(News)(Gordon Segal and Chris Segal of Euromarket Design Inc)
February 13, 2006... Byline: SANDRA JONES Chris Segal, son of Crate & Barrel founder Gordon Segal, is taking a page from his father's playbook and using it to compete with the elder Segal's company. Chris Segal's store, a resurrected version of the old...

Conventions.(Calendar/Datebook)
February 13, 2006... THIS WEEK FEB. 13: International Council of Shopping Centers, Hyatt Regency Chicago, estimated attendance 1,000. FEB. 15-17: United Way of Wisconsin, Hilton Chicago, estimated attendance 425. FEB. 16-17: Chicago Principals and...

Datebook.(Calendar/Datebook)
February 13, 2006... THIS WEEK FEB. 13: School of Business at Dominican University presents Next Generation of Leadership. 7 p.m. Dominican University, Lund Auditorium, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest. Free. (708) 524-6810. FEB. 13: Chicago Chapter of...

At Deadline.(Late News)(Penn National Gaming Inc. seeks more time to sell divisions, Lululemon Athletica's plan to Incapital L.L.C.'s sale of Mexican bonds)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... Argosy Gaming buyer Penn seeks extension Penn National Gaming wants more time to sell the Downstate Alton Belle and the Empress Casino in Joliet. Penn agreed to sell them to win Illinois Gaming Board approval of its acquisition of Argosy...

For The Record.(Briefs)(ConAgra Foods Inc. relocates; Chicago City Clerk James Laski resignes on bribery charges; Chase Insurance Holding Corp. and Protective Life Corp.'s merger)
February 13, 2006... Peoples Energy's proposed $130-million settlement for alleged overcharging was sent back to the drawing board by the ICC after its staff, an ICC administrative law judge and the Cook County state's attorney's office objected to the deal. The...

Word on the Street.(The Business of Life)(luxury vehicle choice of Chicagoans)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Mark Scheffler Vehicles capture a bit of their owners' aspirations and personalities. They also pose broader questions: Are they symbols of status, objects of desire or simply a means to get around? Do people go with their chosen...

Oprah signs satellite radio deal.(Briefs)(Oprah Winfrey to introduce XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.'s service)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... XM Satellite Radio Holdings said it signed a three-year, $55-million deal with Oprah Winfrey to introduce a channel on the top U.S. subscription radio service. The news sent XM's shares up as much as 10%. The new channel, called Oprah and...

CEO will aim to make Condell a regional power.(People)(Condell Health Network)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Gregory Meyer Job: President and CEO effective Monday, Condell Health Network in Libertyville, which runs Condell Medical Center. Vitals: 54 years old; bachelor's degree, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 1973; master's...

To solve Olympic puzzle, bring Monsters back to the Midway.
February 13, 2006... Byline: Daniel W. Weil Well, our mayor is at it again, looking at the 2016 Summer Olympics. He obviously is serious, but realizes an essential ingredient is missing for Chicago to be competitive: a large stadium. While facilities in...

Top job for Tribune chief: Fix L.A. Times; Street seeks turnaround for flagship-and fast.(News)
February 13, 2006... Byline: JEREMY MULLMAN Tribune Co. Chairman and CEO Dennis J. FitzSimons faces no bigger task in reversing his company's long slide than repairing its flagship newspaper, the Los Angeles Times. Circulation and advertising at the Times,...

Women steer purchases.(The Business of Life)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Lisa Bertagnoli If it's not easier for women to find and buy a car than it used to be, it's not for the industry's lack of trying. Over the last two years, automakers have devoted extra effort to finding out what women want....

Russia; Helen Teplitskaia - 50 - executive vice-president, Imnex International Inc.(Focus: Small Business)(Biography)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Sarah A. Klein Helen Teplitskaia immigrated to the U.S. in 1990 with her husband and son, joining family in Chicago. She grew up in St. Petersburg, graduating from the St. Petersburg Academy of Culture with a master's degree in...

ICC correct to send back Peoples deal.(Illinois. Commerce Commission's regulations on Peoples Energy Corp. and Enron Corp.)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... The Illinois Commerce Commission made the right move last week when it put the brakes on the Peoples Energy Corp. settlement. The gas utility, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and the Citizens Utility Board wanted to rush through a...

Chicago's luxury wheels.(The Business of Life)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Mark Scheffler When most people ponder the concept of a luxury car, visions of Bentleys, Porsches and Aston Martins spring to mind. Best to put the brakes on that kind of thinking. The most popular high-end vehicles in the...

Aspirations: fully loaded; Buyers ramp up their drive for luxe: on the road in a Maybach; the Porsche as third car.(The Business of Life)
February 13, 2006... Byline: MARK SCHEFFLER For some Chicago-area motorists, a mere Mercedes won't do. Satinder Dalawari, a physician, purchased one of the legendary German-made luxury cars in 2003. But he was flipping through an auto magazine when a new...

Corrections.
February 13, 2006... The amount of money raised by the Greater Chicago Food Depository's Bag Hunger Auction was misstated in a Feb. 6 Business of Life story. The 2005 event collected $180,000, up 25% from the previous year. In the Feb. 6 directory of venture...

Boeing hits highs on defense outlook.(Markets)(defense spending increases security ratings)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Paul Merrion Boeing Co. climbed to all-time highs on last week's surprisingly strong defense spending outlook. Shares hit $72.76 midday Thursday, finishing the week at a record closing price of $72.53. Investors shook off...

Bucksbaum building; General Growth drops deals for development.(General Growth Properties Inc.'s John Bucksbaum)
February 13, 2006... Byline: ALBY GALLUN John Bucksbaum built the country's second-largest mall company through a series of high-stakes acquisitions. Now he's placing what may be an even riskier bet: building new shopping centers. The CEO of Chicago-based...

Navistar's pickup line; Engine maker torqued about chance of getting big Japanese truck makers as customers.(Markets)(Navistar International Corp., Nissan Motor Company Ltd. and Toyota Motor Corp.)
February 13, 2006... Byline: BOB TITA Japanese automakers' goal to sell more brawny pickups to Americans could be a boon for Navistar International Corp. The Warrenville truck and engine maker is trying to persuade Nissan Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp....

WHO'S THE NEXT NORM? LaSalle faces challenges as CEO nears finish line.(LaSalle Bank Corp. (Chicago, Illinois)'s Norman Bobins)
February 13, 2006... Byline: STEVE DANIELS The race is on to succeed Norman Bobins, CEO of LaSalle Bank Corp. and dean of business banking in Chicago. Two years ago, Mr. Bobins said 2006 would be the year someone would emerge as a front-runner for the top...

Greece; Yianni Melidis - 57 - co-owner, pegasus restaurant.(Focus: Small Business)(Biography)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Meredith Landry While many of us make the mistake, it's important to note that "gyro''-the ever-popular Greek lamb sandwich-is pronounced "HE-row.'' And you'll want to get it right at one of the four Chicago-area eateries owned by...

Poland; Kazimiera "Kasia'' Bober - 70 - president, Kasia's Deli.(Focus: Small Business)(Biography)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Kevin McKeough Ten years ago, you'd have to go to Ukrainian Village for Kasia Bober's handmade pierogi. But Kasia's Pierogi have become a staple in Chicago-area grocery stores since she and her son, Christopher, expanded her deli...

India; Donia Gulati -49 -custom dressmaker and owner, Ashina Bridals.(Focus: Small Business)(Biography)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Kevin McKeough In her native India, Donia Gulati designed clothes for mass production and export around the world. Now brides-to-be and other customers travel to Ms. Gulati's West Rogers Park boutique for exotic personalized...

China; Colin wu - 41- CEO, China Business Sources Inc.(Focus: Small Business)(Biography)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Sarah A. Klein Colin Wu's first job, as an English interpreter for Communist Party leaders in Beijing, introduced him to American politicians like Alexander Haig, James Baker and Henry Kissinger. Mr. Wu, who moved to the U.S. in...

Starbucks grinds away at Sara Lee java; Old food-service names prove no match for Starbucks 'lifestyle'.(News)
February 13, 2006... Byline: JULIE JARGON Sara Lee Corp. has a formidable new competitor in the food-service business. Starbucks Corp., the Seattle-based coffee chain with the ubiquitous chic cafes, has been selling its coffee to restaurants, hotels and...

Executive Privelege.(The Business of Life)(luxury automobiles)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... Byline: Mark Scheffler What kinds of cars do Chicago CEOs own? Many have multiple vehicles (and some, like William Wrigley Jr., have motorcycles). But we chose to list only those that fall in the luxury car category (or, in the case of Sam...

On the move.(Harvey A. Leffring appointed to Harvey A. Leffring, Robert J. Janik appointed to First American Bank (Carpentersville, Illinois), Kevin P. Harnedy appointed to Firstbank of Illinois Co.)
February 13, 2006... CONSUMER SERVICES Friendship Village of Schaumburg Inc., Schaumburg: David A. Loop, 45, to president and CEO, from executive director at Kahala Nui in Honolulu. EDUCATION DeVry Inc., Oakbrook Terrace: Harvey A. Leffring, 53, to...

On the Move.(Collaborative Learning Inc.)
February 20, 2006... EDUCATION Aurora University, Aurora: Timothy J. Moran, 47, to director of the Dunham School of Business, from assistant professor of accounting. Collaborative Learning Inc., Westmont: Emmanuel "Manny'' Reyes, 46, to chief operating...

Late-night glamour: It's their business; Young restaurateurs keep city jumping; work-life balance turned upside-down.
February 20, 2006... Byline: MARK SCHEFFLER To the outside world, the life of a young, successful nightlife entrepreneur is all glamour and good times. But it isn't always easy to balance work-life issues if your professional domain is a heady mix of stunning...

Hot air; CANDIDATES' REFORM PROMISES RING HOLLOW WHEN THEY EXEMPT THEMSELVES.
February 20, 2006... Byline: Greg Hinz When the winds of mid-February blow with the last blasts of winter, the political candidates breeze in with their own kind of blowing. It's endorsement time here at Crain's, and when asked about one of the major...

Can Merc crack energy market? CME could make electronic play, but competition will be hot.(News)(Chicago Mercantile Exchange)
February 20, 2006... Byline: KATE RYAN A Chicago Mercantile Exchange foray into energy futures would set up an unprecedented three-way battle among U.S. futures exchanges. The exchanges have avoided competition in the past, arguing that it is impossible to...

BOARDROOM BONANZA; As role becomes more demanding, directors' compensation climbs.(News)
February 20, 2006... Byline: JEREMY MULLMAN The Sarbanes-Oxley Act is boosting the pay of corporate directors, and plenty of local luminaries are profiting from the trend. Real estate magnate Sam Zell, Ariel Capital Management LLC President Mellody Hobson...

Untangling Molex's price; Computer cable maker's stock is rising, but some think the shares may be too high.(Markets)(Column)
February 20, 2006... Byline: BOB TITA Shares of Molex Inc., a maker of computer cords, plugs and switches, have surged 25% this year on a sunny forecast for sales of electronic components, but some analysts say the stock is overheated. "It has gotten ahead...