Crain's Chicago Business articles from January 2006

Crain's Chicago Business archives from January 2006

Last call for sauerbraten.(Berghoff Restaurant closes its dining room)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2006... After 107 years and countless brats, the Loop landmark Berghoff Restaurant will close its dining room at the end of February. The owners are retiring, leaving daughter Carlyn Berghoff to take over the space for her catering company. But traces...

For The Record.(OfficeMax hit their lowest)(Hollinger's loss narrowed in third quarter)(Avion to buy four Boeing 777 freighters)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2006... OfficeMax shares hit their lowest close since July 2003 on Dec. 27, when a Boston hedge fund investor announced it might sell some of its 8.4% stake. The Illinois Appellate Court sided once again with the city and Gold Coast residents in...

McD'S SERVICE STALLS AT DRIVE-THRU; Survey shows decline in accuracy, speed; some franchisees blame menu changes.(McDonald's Corp.)
January 2, 2006... Byline: JULIE JARGON Drive-through traffic is snarling McDonald's service-improvement campaign. Oak Brook-based McDonald's Corp. ranked last out of 25 fast-food chains in a recent study of drive-through order accuracy, down from 20th...

IBM GOING CONDO, TOO? Owner mulls residential redo as two major office tenants head for the exits.(News)
January 2, 2006... Byline: ALBY GALLUN The owner of the landmark IBM Building is considering joining the growing ranks of downtown office buildings that are converting in whole or in part to residential condominiums. After losing its two largest tenants,...

You can stop the rain. Pollution, too.(Focus: Agenda For Chicago)
January 2, 2006... Byline: SARAH A. KLEIN The plan Increase the number of rain gardens on residential and commercial property to absorb storm runoff before it reaches the sewer system. The players Homeowners and businesses, city officials. The...

Do you believe in angels? You should.(Focus: Agenda For Chicago)(Angel investing)
January 2, 2006... Byline: KEVIN MCKEOUGH The plan Create a centralized, non-profit organization to help entrepreneurs find angel investors. The players City and state governments, universities, local entrepreneurs. The potential problems Funding,...

World surveyor.(Judson Green- the driving force behind NavTeq Corp.)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2006... Byline: Dan Weissmann Former Disney Co executive Judson Green, 53, relished James Stewart's recent book "DisneyWar.'' ("I lived it,'' he says. Was he a source? "I'd prefer not to answer.'') Since 2000, Green has helmed Chicago-based NavTeq...

Is Sears chief set to tap real estate? Joint venture created to revamp closed stores looks like first step.(Sears Holdings Corp.)
January 2, 2006... Byline: SANDRA JONES Sears Holdings Corp. has formed a joint venture with a New York real estate investment trust-a move that suggests Chairman Edward Lampert is moving ahead with long-awaited plans to tap the value of the company's...

What else can be done?(reduction of corruption)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2006... Byline: Sarah A. Klein The use of an independent auditor to review city contracting will make a dent in corruption, but there's more to be done. Here are a few additional steps: Assign required reading Twice a year, Mayor Daley...

A popular holiday gathering spot: the ER.(causes of injuries)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2006... Byline: Sarah A. Klein Made it into the New Year without a trip to the emergency room? Be thankful. Injuries are a seemingly inevitable part of the holiday season, as revelers overdo it on eggnog or fall off ladders while putting up or...

Keeping up with China.(Focus: Agenda For Chicago)(Interview)
January 2, 2006... Byline: Samantha Stainburn Ask Mayor Richard M. Daley how to improve the business climate in Chicago, and he doesn't give textbook answers like relocation incentives or new airports. His answer: Fix education. Next year's $5-billion...

Chicago's dire need for a Mr. Clean.(Focus: Agenda For Chicago)(chicago needs a systematic approach to fight corruption)
January 2, 2006... Byline: SARAH A. KLEIN The plan Appoint an independent auditor to review city contracting practices. Support the auditor with a commission made up of City Council members and private citizens with expertise in law, accounting and public...

This Week: `Loved the peanut butter, hated the jelly'.(Briefs)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2006... Byline: Jeremy Mullman WTTW-TV/Channel 11's restaurant review program "Check, Please!'' wants to skew younger. The show, now in its fifth season, debuts its children's edition Jan 13. It will feature 10- and 11-year-old viewer-critics and...

What else can be done?(factors that could help to improve transportation conditions in chicago)
January 2, 2006... Byline: Stuart Luman Modernizing Chicago's rail isn't the only thing that would help improve transportation congestion in the region. Here are some other things that could help: Make regional planning a priority: The Chicago Transit...

The main event; CAN CLAYPOOL INSPIRE VOTERS WITH REFORM PLEA AGAINST STROGER?(News)(Dick Phelan)(John H. Stroger Jr.)(Forrest Claypool)(Cover Story)
January 2, 2006... Byline: Greg Hinz Ask Woody Bowman about "reforming'' Cook County government and he'll tell the tale of Dick Phelan and the county bomb squad. It was 1991 and Mr. Phelan, newly elected board president on a reform platform, figured...

Must-have: snappy business card case; In silver, gold or leather, worthy of a 'Woo-hoo'.
January 2, 2006... Byline: LISA BERTAGNOLI Time to present a business card. Do you play the corporate version of go fish-wildly groping in a handbag or pocket, only to retrieve a crumpled card? Or do you pull out a smart business card case-silver or smooth...

Resolved: new habits in '06; Successful people make no small plans. We kick them forward with some expert advice.(The Business of Life)
January 2, 2006... Byline: SHIA KAPOS Cathy Coughlin, like countless other Chicago executives, is greeting the new year with a list of personal aspirations. The president and CEO of AT&T Midwest has resolved to run the Chicago Marathon and secure hard-to-get...

Guv maps $3-bil. road plan; Schools, transit would also gain if GOP agrees to biggest cap-spending bond deal since '99.(News)
January 2, 2006... Byline: GREG HINZ After months of quiet negotiations, Gov. Rod Blagojevich and legislative leaders are closing in on a deal to issue up to $3 billion in state bonds for transportation and other infrastructure projects across Illinois. ...

Correction.(Corrections)(Correction Notice)
January 2, 2006... A Dec. 19 story about an organization of African-American business leaders misstated the group's full name. It is the Alliance of Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs.

Frontenac falls on hard times; A rock star of the 1990s, Chicago firm hasn't raised new cash in the past five years.(News)(Company Profile)
January 2, 2006... Byline: STEVEN R. STRAHLER Remember Frontenac Co.? One of the city's pioneering private-equity firms, Frontenac backed such 1990s high-fliers as Platinum Technology Inc. and Whittman-Hart L.P. But it has been sidelined for much of this...

The free market solution?
January 2, 2006... Byline: CYNTHIA HANSON The plan Provide funding and change zoning laws to make it easier for more private schools to open in Chicago. The players Educational entrepreneurs, banks, philanthropists, city government. The potential...

Is it smarter to repair an ailing computer or just buy a new model?(The Business of Life)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2006... Byline: Darci Smith Depends on whether you want to maintain status quo or invest in the latest and greatest, says tech journalist David Geer. If your system was performing well for your needs, get a repair estimate before deciding. If...

There oughta be a law.(Focus: Agenda For Chicago)
January 2, 2006... Byline: DANIEL ROME LEVINE The plan Reduce health care costs by manufacturing generic alternatives to pricey biopharmaceutical drugs. The players U.S. Congress, the Food and Drug Administration, drug manufacturers. The potential...

At the center of it all: Create.(Focus: Agenda For Chicago)(Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency)
January 2, 2006... Byline: STUART LUMAN The plan Find a political power broker with real clout to help pass the proposed $1.5-billion Create rail modernization program (Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency). The players Major...

Priced out: Homes beyond reach for more area buyers; Affordability in decline, Fannie Mae finds.
January 2, 2006... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY Jason Hawkins makes a living arranging mortgages for new homes in the suburbs. But when the 23-year-old loan officer looked for a house of his own, he was disappointed he couldn't find anything close to his Naperville...

New year, new goals to set for biz leaders.
January 2, 2006... In this week's Focus section, we set an ambitious, broad agenda for city, state and federal policymakers regarding most of the critical issues Chicago will face in 2006 and beyond. The city's business community deserves an agenda, too. Here...

Bigger buckets, greener roofs.(Brief Article)
January 2, 2006... Byline: Sarah A. Klein Building a rain garden isn't the only way to stop storm water from entering the sewer system. Here are some other suggestions from Chicago's online Rain Garden Network: Disconnect downspouts Roof gutters send 10...

ServiceMaster shops unit; Company decides heating and cooling doesn't mix with lawn and pesticide divisions.
January 2, 2006... Byline: BOB TITA ServiceMaster Co. has prospered killing weeds and bugs, but it hasn't been able to fire up profits in its heating and air conditioning unit. That's why the owner of TruGreen lawn care and Terminix pest control is...

Thinking the unthinkable.(Focus: Agenda For Chicago)
January 2, 2006... Byline: CHRISTINA LE BEAU The plan Release the city's disaster-preparedness plan to the public and provide more in-depth public education. The players Mayor Richard M. Daley, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications,...

Other worries.(Focus: Agenda For Chicago)(The Office of Emergency Management and Communications plans)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2006... Byline: Christina Le Beau Let's assume the city releases its disaster plan. That still leaves plenty to worry about: Transit security The Office of Emergency Management and Communications plans to increase subway camera surveillance,...

What else can be done?
January 2, 2006... Byline: Kevin McKeough A centralized organization isn't the only thing Chicago-area entrepreneurs would like to see in '06 to improve the angel investment climate: Give a break, today To further encourage angel investing, Illinois...

At Deadline.(Sears Holdings changed its executive severance policy)(Microsoft CEO Steven Ballmer leaves Accenture's board)(United airlines)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2006... Sears cuts laid-off executives' pay Sears Holdings changed its executive severance policy late last year, according to a quarterly SEC filing. The policy, approved by Sears' board on Nov. 8, says executives will receive severance equal to...

News on drug trial boosts NeoPharm.(Markets)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2006... Byline: Bob Tita NeoPharm Inc.'s stock surged 52% last Tuesday after the company's experimental treatment for late-stage brain cancer passed a key hurdle, moving it a step closer to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval...

Glass half full: Wines pair with lively meals; In more casual quarters, varietals, small plates await.
January 2, 2006... Byline: ANNE MOORE There's more to celebrate in the new year: three recently opened or expanded restaurants that focus on wine and food pairings in casual, lively surroundings. We tried each for early-evening dinners. Enoteca at...

Dream Maker.(Brief Article)(Interview)
January 2, 2006... Byline: Kevin Davis Ida Lock, 42, night baby nurse, North Shore Nannies Years on the job: Eight Salary: $12-$20 per hour. Duties: Spends night with newborns to feed, change and train them to sleep longer so that parents can...

'06 goals: run, learn, go home.
January 2, 2006... Byline: Shia Kapos Yuri Birg, CEO, Greenview Homes Goal: Spend more time with friends and family, including his three children, ages 11, 9 and 5. His plan: Rely more on able employees. "As the business has grown, I've recruited...

The year in transit: Good riddance, 2005; resolutions for 2006.
January 2, 2006... Byline: Joseph Schwieterman "An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in,'' said the late Kansas City Star columnist Bill Vaughan. "A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.'' For Chicago-area transportation...

What else can be done?
January 2, 2006... Byline: Daniel Rome Levine A framework for generic biopharmaceutical drugs is not the only area Congress should act on to help protect employers, health insurers and consumers from rising drug costs: Biodefense legislation The Senate...

Wiping the slate clean to avoid a nick in '06; Some area firms sped up vesting of stock options to avoid a profit hit.
January 2, 2006... Byline: PAUL MERRION Christmas came early for some company insiders loaded with stock options in 2005. To avoid millions of dollars in costs created by a new bookkeeping rule, companies sped up vesting of options held by executives,...

Need to know.(Brief Article)
January 2, 2006... $1.5 billion Cost of the proposed Create program designed to modernize Chicago's rail system. $100 million How much the project was awarded in last year's federal transportation bill. $695,200 What it costs the...

Cathy Coughlin, president and CEO, AT&T Midwest.(chief executive officer)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2006... Goal: Run the Chicago Marathon. Her plan: Set aside time in the morning to train. Expert advice: "Get involved in a training group, where it's scheduled and you're expected to be there," says Alison Miller, a Chicago psychologist and...

Bill Scheidhauer, COO and partner, Lucky Strike Lanes.(chief operating officer)(Brief Article)
January 2, 2006... Goal: Walk his 5-year-old black pug, Rascal, early every morning while planning his day. "We both win. I get coffee and he gets a few Dunkin' Donuts. . . .I've been doing it once in a while, but I want to make a commitment to do it every day....

Jay Ellison, executive vice-president and chief operating officer, U.S. Cellular Corp.(Brief Article)
January 2, 2006... Goal: Educate himself about wine. His plan: Stay more on top of projects in earlier phases so there are fewer "fire drills" that eat into personal time. "I realize it's about managing my time better," says Mr. Ellison, who last year...

Need to know.
January 2, 2006... ***** Correction: A Jan. 2 Focus graphic incorrectly referred to jobs lost at Illinois companies with more than 50 employees. The jobs were lost at companies with more than 500 workers. ***** $1.5 billion Cost of the proposed...

On the Move.(People)
January 9, 2006... ARCHITECTURE/ENGINEERING Perkins & Will Inc., Chicago: Phil Harrison, 41, to CEO and continuing as president. Torchia Associates Inc., Chicago: William Hollander, 48, to principal, from senior project manager and associate. ...

Can he do it again? In 2001, Alex Zoghlin changed the way you buy airline tickets.(News)(G2 SwitchWorks Corp)
January 9, 2006... Byline: JULIE JOHNSSON Alex Zoghlin's long-running grudge match with former employer Orbitz Inc. is about to come to a head. Mr. Zoghlin's G2 SwitchWorks Corp. and Orbitz are contenders for $5 billion in airline ticket processing...

Need to Know.(Focus: Small Business)
January 9, 2006... 45% Percent of Americans who make one or more New Year's resolutions each year. 75% Percent of those people who keep the resolutions past the first week. 71% Percent who keep them past two weeks. 64% Percent...

Boeing sets record in 2005.(Briefs)(Brief Article)
January 9, 2006... Boeing's commercial airplane orders more than tripled in 2005 to a record 1,002, fueled by demand from Asia and the Middle East and the continued expansion of discount airlines around the world. The aerospace giant is poised to regain the top...

A warm spell for economy; Chicago's in recovery mode, but clouds linger over auto suppliers.(News)
January 9, 2006... Byline: STEVEN R. STRAHLER AND SHRUTI DATE SINGH Despite higher interest rates and energy prices, Chicago-area companies can look forward to another year of economic growth-and an uptick in hiring-in 2006. An index of local leading...

Promises, promises; It's a new year. Time to look deep inside and take stock. We asked 10 Chicago entrepreneurs what resolutions they've made to become better (business)people in 2006.(Focus: Small Business)
January 9, 2006... Byline: Cynthia Hanson COMMUNICATE WITH CLIENTS Eric Heneghan, 38 Elevation Inc., Chicago Interactive marketing and technology services Annual sales: $3 million "My resolution is to improve my communication with our...

Making good (or not); So did the entrepreneurs from last year's resolution story stick with it? Sort of (unless they're lying to us). We checked in with five to find out:.(Focus: Small Business)
January 9, 2006... Byline: Cynthia Hanson Mike Maddock, 40 Maddock Douglas Inc., Elmhurst Advertising agency Resolution: Take six-week summer vacation to Europe and Alaska with the family. Result: Took a three-week vacation to the south of...

Match Pointer.(The Business of Life)
January 9, 2006... Byline: Kevin Davis Linda Kollmeyer, 44, Illinois Lottery television personality Years on the job: Eight Salary: $20,000 to $30,000 Duties: Appears live on WGN-TV/Channel 9 to draw the Illinois Lottery numbers by selecting...

Beating the tax man; It's not so hard, if you've got a plan.(Focus: Small Business)(Brief Article)(Interview)
January 9, 2006... Byline: MEREDITH LANDRY As April 15 approaches, small business owners often feel a seasonal ailment coming on. It's called tax anxiety, and CPA Marlene Franke has the cure: quarterly planning. Crain's asked Ms. Franke, 40, co-owner of...

ComEd rate plan panned; ICC staff says utility deserves no delivery charge increase.(News)(Commonwealth Edison Co.)(Illinois Commerce Commission)
January 9, 2006... Byline: STEVE DANIELS Commonwealth Edison Co., hoping to jack up its rates, got a lump of coal in its stocking two days before Christmas, courtesy of some state bureaucrats. Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) staff is urging state...

ComEd's auction plan is bad business for building owners.(Commonwealth Edison Co)
January 9, 2006... Byline: Harvey Camins The Illinois Commerce Commission is scheduled to rule later this month on Commonwealth Edison Co.'s proposal for an auction process to set electricity prices beginning in January 2007. Media accounts have left the...

Sharp Schooler.(The Business of Life)(Brief Article)
January 9, 2006... Byline: Dan Weissmann Ronald L. Taylor, 62, started a small for-profit business school with partner Dennis Keller in 1973. Fourteen years later, their school bought DeVry Institutes of Technology for $182 million. Mr. Taylor remains CEO of...

Retro comfort food pairs flair, coziness; Country kitchen meets upscale surroundings.(The Business of Life)
January 9, 2006... Byline: LAURA BIANCHI Too many fancy meals during the holidays left me hungry for some good old-fashioned home cookin'. I found two retro American restaurants with menus that fit my mood, one established, the other sparkling new, but as...

The power shirt: crisp and white; Still best under a suit; a more fitted silhouette.(The Business of Life)
January 9, 2006... Byline: LISA BERTAGNOLI Stripes may come and plaids may go, but the plain white shirt remains-though in more fitted form. With business casual tapering off, white shirts are enjoying a renaissance. "We've been through a period when...

Make the Niceties Nicer.(The Business of Life)(Brief Article)
January 9, 2006... Byline: Sarah A. Klein Find yourself swarmed at events? Here's advice on how to thin the crowd: "You have to defend yourself,'' says Paul O'Connor of World Business Chicago. "Say you have to do a little networking yourself, or that...

Duck: It's a networker! Successful targets often accosted; glad to help, but not while asleep.(The Business of Life)(this is how executives feel)
January 9, 2006... Byline: SARAH A. KLEIN James Reid-Anderson, CEO of Deerfield-based Dade Behring Holdings Inc., was sleeping peacefully on a 12-hour-plus flight between Australia and Britain-until he was recognized by an overexcited networker. The...

Am I covered if my dog bites someone?(The Business of Life)(Brief Article)
January 9, 2006... Byline: Darci Smith While most homeowners and renters insurance policies cover dog-bite liability, some insurers may refuse to cover certain breeds-typically pit bulls and Rottweilers-or charge more to owners of "biting'' breeds, says...

Partners, products boost Motorola.(Markets)
January 9, 2006... Byline: Julie Johnsson Motorola Inc. shares soared last week as the company unveiled partnerships with Google Inc. and Yahoo Inc. and introduced a slew of new products melding music and mobile technologies. The Schaumburg electronics...

Tech firms recapture buzz in market; 2005 Stock Recap.(Markets)(Brief Article)
January 9, 2006... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY In an otherwise ho-hum year for stocks, investors piled back into technology companies in 2005. The electronic exchange Archipelago Holdings Inc., poised to merge with the New York Stock Exchange later this month,...

At Deadline.(Late News)(Brief Article)
January 9, 2006... Salton execs pull plug on voluntary pay cuts Lake Forest appliance maker Salton has reversed the voluntary pay cuts taken by three top executives-CEO Leonhard Dreimann, President and COO William Rue and Chairman David Sabin. Each...

Tax shuffle; SALES TAX RATES CLIMB AS CITY, COUNTY OFFICIALS HOLD THE LINE ON PROPERTY LEVY.(News)
January 9, 2006... Byline: greg hinz I rarely even glance at the check at the lunch joint downstairs from my office. Eating downstairs means I'm out for speed more than fine dining, and besides, who cares? Maybe I should care more. When I examined the...

Trading places; Deerfield-based Baxter International has been outperforming North Chicago's Abbott Labs, a role reversal for the two health care giants.(Markets)(Abbott Laboratories Inc. )
January 9, 2006... Byline: PAUL MERRION Baxter International Inc. CEO Robert L. Parkinson Jr. is showing Wall Street that a boring nuts-and-bolts approach can pay off. Shares of Baxter gained 9% last year while Abbott Laboratories, where Mr. Parkinson...

Sun-Times nets Google ad deal; Web behemoth tests classifieds in print.(News)
January 9, 2006... Byline: JEREMY MULLMAN Google Inc., the new-media giant, now has a decidedly old-media partner: the Chicago Sun-Times. In a quiet and small-scale experiment, Google is running classified-like ads in the pages of the Sun-Times, which so...

New CEO aiming for growth at chemical firm.(People)
January 9, 2006... Byline: Eric Ferkenhoff Job: CEO of Stepan Co., a 73-year-old Northfield-based specialty chemicals maker, since Jan. 1. Vitals: 45 years old; bachelor's degree, University of Notre Dame, 1982; MBA, University of Chicago, 1988. Monsanto...

The big pile; The art and craft of better organization.(Focus: Small Business)(Interview)
January 9, 2006... Byline: SARAH A. KLEIN This is it. This year you're going to get control of the piles on your desk. But maybe you need some advice (and a huge trash bin). Crain's talked to professional organizer Phyllis Campagna, 54, owner of...

Transportation funds should go to key projects.(Opinion)
January 9, 2006... Who can blame Gov. Rod Blagojevich for wanting to spend billions on roads, schools and other projects? After all, it's an election year, and nothing boosts an incumbent governor's re-election campaign like ribbon-cutting ceremonies at new...

You are feeling very sleepy . . . How to quit smoking through hypnosis, without clucking like a chicken.(Focus: Small Business)(Interview)
January 9, 2006... Byline: SARAH A. KLEIN Last month, Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. announced it will start firing employees who don't quit smoking-even at home. Most agree that the Marysville, Ohio-based garden products maker's tactic to save on employee health...

Conventions.(Calendar/Datebook)(Calendar)
January 9, 2006... THIS WEEK JAN. 11-15: Chicago Boat, RV and Outdoors Show, McCormick Place North, public. JAN. 12-16: TransWorld Merchandise Show, Lakeside Center, estimated attendance 6,000. JAN. 13-15: Chicago Cubs Convention, Hilton Chicago,...

Lottery proves a hard sell; Sales stagnant, agency looks to add 5,000 ticket sellers; are retailers game?(News)
January 9, 2006... Byline: SHRUTI DATE SINGH James Macchiaroli stopped selling lottery tickets a few years ago in the three Ace Hardware stores he manages because the lottery brought in more loiterers than profits. Especially when large jackpots were at...

Making spas dreamy for guys - with booze.(The Business of Life)(Brief Article)
January 9, 2006... Byline: Jennifer Olvera How to coax a guy into a spa? That's easy-with a cold one. A new crop of spas with boozy freebies or treatments keep the gentlemen bellying up. Halo for Men 3324 N. Clark St., (773) 348-6210 The shtick:...

Trimming the fat; Everyone wants to lose weight. Here's how.(Focus: Small Business; company exercise programs for employees)(Interview)
January 9, 2006... Byline: SARAH A. KLEIN Come Jan. 1, just about everyone resolves to lose 10 pounds. As an employer, how can you help them? Daniel Cox, managing director of Chicago-based CCA Strategies LLC, designs fitness programs for companies that...

A single notebook; How to keep your 2006 goals on track.(Focus: Small Business)(Interview)
January 9, 2006... Byline: SAMANTHA STAINBURN Business goals-of course you have them. Chances are, you've even written them down. But will you fulfill them? It depends, says Steven Collinsworth, owner of the Chicago franchise of Action International, a Las...

WRIGLEY'S NEW MINTS: CURIOUSLY WEAK; Young CEO's big bet on Altoids looks riskier as Hershey steals sales in the checkout aisle.(News)
January 9, 2006... Byline: JULIE JARGON William Wrigley Jr. is in a sticky spot: As he expands beyond gum with his 115-year-old company's biggest acquisition ever, his new mint business is losing ground fast to rival Hershey Co. Six months after paying...

Crain's names research director.(Crain's Chicago Business)(Matthew Carmichael joins)(Brief Article)
January 9, 2006... Matthew Carmichael, 32, has joined Crain's Chicago Business as research director, a new position. Mr. Carmichael started his career as an intern at Crain's sister publication Advertising Age. He spent five years there, ultimately becoming...

ADM bulking up trans fat-free cooking oil; New labeling rules could spell opportunity.(News)(Archer Daniels Midland Co.)(Brief Article)
January 9, 2006... Byline: BOB TITA Archer Daniels Midland Co. is putting more muscle behind cooking oil free of trans fat as its food industry customers face new labeling rules for products containing the substance. Decatur-based Archer Daniels Midland...

For the Record.(CDW plans to lease additional office space)(employees of Abbott Laboratories granted class-action status by a federal judge)(The Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois sues Stuart Levine)(Brief Article)
January 9, 2006... During a speech to the Economic Club on Friday, President Bush shrugged off a report showing weaker-than-expected job growth and declared that "the American economy heads into 2006 with a full head of steam." The president also toured the Board...

Forsythe president plans to bulk up staff.(Forsythe Technology Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 16, 2006... Byline: Gregory Meyer Job: President of Forsythe Technology Inc., a Skokie-based computer consulting, leasing and reselling company, since October. Vitals: 49 years old; bachelor's degree, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,...

For The Record.(Briefs)(Lawrence Levy's Levy)(Brief Article)
January 16, 2006... Britain's Compass Group is buying the 51% of Lawrence Levy's Levy Restaurants it does not already own for $250 million after the Chicago-based owner of Spiaggia exercised a put option. Federated Department Stores plans to sell Lord & Taylor...

$15M in stock, options for Tilton.(Briefs)(Glenn Tilton)(United Airlines Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 16, 2006... When United Airlines exits bankruptcy protection next month, CEO Glenn Tilton is guaranteed stock and options worth $15 million, base pay of $605,625 and a bonus that could double his salary, according to court and internal company documents....

Chicago-area agencies could use a nickel's worth of democracy.(Opinion)
January 16, 2006... Byline: laurence msall Thomas Jefferson once said, "When a man assumes a public trust, he should consider himself a public property.'' Jefferson's ideal of public accountability probably sets an unrealistic standard for our local...