Crain's Chicago Business articles from September 2006

Crain's Chicago Business archives from September 2006

Cultural Institutions.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... Ted A. Beattie President, CEO Shedd Aquarium Chicago Age: 61 Business: Aquarium Budget (millions): $36.9 Professional: Economic Club Civic: Commercial Club; Chicago Club; Ohio State University; U.S....

Education.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... Henry S. Bienen President Northwestern University Evanston Age: 67 Business: Higher education Budget (millions): $1,500 Professional: Bear Stearns Cos.; Deltak Edu Inc. Civic: Chicago Council on Global...

Financial Services.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... Carl S. Allegretti Midwest regional managing partner Deloitte Tax LLP Chicago Age: 45 Business: Professional services Revenues (millions): $7,800 (Deloitte & Touche LLP) Professional: Economic Club; Chicago...

Food.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... Thomas J. Baldwin Chairman, president, CEO Morton's Restaurant Group, Chicago Age: 51 Business: Steakhouse restaurants Revenues (millions): $300.7 Brenda C. Barnes Chairman, CEO Sara Lee Corp. Chicago...

Government.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... Rod R. Blagojevich Governor State of Illinois Chicago Age: 49 Business: State government Budget (millions): $48,500 Charles E. Box Chairman Illinois Commerce Commission, Chicago Age: 55 ...

Health Care.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... Christopher B. Begley CEO Hospira Inc. Lake Forest Age: 54 Business: Pharmaceutical and medication delivery Revenues (millions): $2,627 Civic: Children's Memorial Hospital; Cook County Boy Scouts of America ...

Insurance.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... Gregory C. Case President, CEO Aon Corp. Chicago Age: 43 Business: Risk and insurance brokerage Revenues (millions): $9,837 Professional: Economic Club; St. John's University; International Insurance Society;...

Law.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... Laurel G. Bellows Principal Bellows & Bellows P.C. Chicago Age: 58 Business: Law firm Revenues (millions): Not available Professional: American Bar Assn.; Executives' Club; Economic Club; Chicago Network ...

Manufacturing.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... Thomas M. Begel Chairman TMB Industries LLC Chicago Age: 63 Business: Private-equity group Revenues (millions): $400 Professional: Assn. for Corporate Growth Civic: Latin School; YMCA; Lincoln Park Zoo;...

Marketing & Media.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... Joseph J. Ahern President, general manager WBBM-TV/Channel 2 Chicago Age: 61 Business: Television Revenues (millions): Not available Professional: Economic Club; Executives' Club; Chicagoland Chamber of...

Non-Profits.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... Ellen S. Alberding President Joyce Foundation Chicago Age: 48 Business: Charitable foundation Assets (millions): $892.5 Professional: Economic Club Civic: Commercial Club; National Panel on the Nonprofit...

Real Estate.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... Michael J. Alter President Alter Group, Skokie Age: 45 Business: Real estate development Revenues (millions): $630.0 Professional: Urban Land Institute; Young Presidents' Organization; Economic Club Civic: City...

Retail.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... Brandon K. Barnholt Adviser White Hen Pantry Inc. Lombard Age: 48 Business: Convenience stores Revenues (millions): $45.0 Professional: National Assn. of Convenience Stores; International Dairy-Deli-Bakery...

Technology & Telecom.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... Michael J. Birck Chairman Tellabs Inc. Naperville Age: 68 Business: Telecommunications equipment provider Revenues (millions): $1,883.4 Professional: Molex Inc.; Illinois Tool Works Inc.; Tau Beta Pi; Eta Kappa...

Transportation.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... Kevin e. benson President, CEO Laidlaw International Inc. Naperville Age: 59 Business: Transportation services Revenues (millions): $3,027 Professional: TransCanada Corp. Edward Brennan Former lead...

Utilities.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... FRANK M. CLARK Chairman, CEO Commonwealth Edison Co. Chicago Age: 61 Business: Electric utility Revenues (millions): $6,264 Professional: Economic Club; Executives' Club; Waste Management Inc.; Harris Financial...

SHOWDOWN ON STATE; Carson building's owner poses formidable competition for Block 37.(Carson Pirie Scott)
September 4, 2006... Byline: SHRUTI DATE SINGH Carson Pirie Scott's departure from State Street signals that a powerful new player will challenge Block 37 for the lead role in the shopping district's hoped-for revival. The Carson building's owner, Joseph...

Hurricane Liddy stalls over D.C. Allstate CEO's push for disaster fund flops.(News)
September 4, 2006... Byline: PAUL MERRION WASHINGTON - Edward Liddy is running into strong headwinds on Capitol Hill. In full-page newspaper ads, the halls of Congress and a National Press Club address, Allstate's CEO has been almost single-handedly...

Business organizations.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... Gregory W. Baise President, CEO Illinois Manufacturers Assn. Oak Brook Age: 54 Business: Non-profit Budget (millions): $3.5 Professional: Economic Club; Executives' Club; National Assn. of Manufacturers ...

Inland mall unit on sale block; Retail REIT could sell for $3 billion; will sister company buy it?(News)
September 4, 2006... Byline: ALBY GALLUN Inland Retail Real Estate Trust Inc., owner of a collection of strip malls valued at more than $5 billion, is seeking a buyer, according to an industry analyst report. A spokesman for the Oak Brook-based real estate...

ICC ends Chicago phone rate controls.(Illinois Commerce Commission)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... The ICC has decided the market-not the utility regulator-should determine residential phone prices. The ICC abandoned rate controls on Chicago-area home phone service. The move counters advice from an administrative judge, the Illinois attorney...

Road scholar.(The Business of Life)(Marcus Lemonis)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Byline: Dan Weissmann Marcus Lemonis, 32, is CEO of Lincolnshire-based FreedomRoads LLC, which includes a chain of RV dealerships, e-commerce site RVs.com and Camping World, a chain of RV supply and service centers. "I don't spend a lot of...

Loop lunches: Better low-priced options; Italian flavor, spa setting at new downtown spots.(The Business of Life)
September 4, 2006... Byline: ANNE MOORE Last summer, we overheard tourists ask a Loop traffic cop for "cheap eats'' dining advice; she directed them to the basement of the State of Illinois Building. Now there are some fresh choices in the Loop, all of them...

Construction Services.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... Jeffrey L. Arfsten Chief operating officer Bovis Lend Lease Americas Chicago Age: 52 Business: Construction Revenues (millions): $3,430 (Bovis Lend Lease Inc.) Civic: Boy Scouts of America; Chicago Central Area...

On the Move.(People)(Roy P. Rendino joins Prime Group Realty Trust)(Tom Novosel joins Grant Thornton LLP)(Jeffrey Conover joins Northern Trust Corp.)
September 4, 2006... Consumer Services Pathway Senior Living, Des Plaines: Roy P. Rendino, 50, to executive vice-president and chief financial officer, from senior vice-president of finance at Prime Group Realty Trust. Financial Services Grant...

Cook should cut from new staff to pay for monitor.(Opinion)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Interim Cook County Board President Bobbie Steele says the county can't afford to pay an independent overseer to monitor its hiring practices. She also says the county can't do without any of the 1,600 new workers added to the payroll...

This Week: Radisson Hotel could fetch $100 mil.(Late News)(hotel for sale)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Byline: Alby Gallun Blackstone Group, new owner of the Radisson Hotel & Suites at 160 E. Huron, is putting the 350-room hotel up for sale. The New York private-equity firm has hired Eastdil Secured to market the 40-story tower, which could...

For the Record.(Briefs)(Lockheed Martin Corp.)(Boeing Co.)(Air Sahara)(Kraft Foods Inc.)(United Biscuits Ltd.)(Navistar Corp.)
September 4, 2006... NASA awarded a $3.9-billion contract to build the next manned spacecraft to Lockheed Martin-a blow to rival Boeing. But the Chicago aerospace giant did get some good news: India's Air Sahara ordered 10 new 737-800 jets valued at a total of $700...

Work Watcher.(The Business of Life)(Walter Liszka from Wessels and Pautsch )(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Byline: Kevin Davis Walter Liszka, 61, labor and employment lawyer, Wessels & Pautsch P.C., Chicago Duties: Represents small- and medium-sized companies in disputes with employees, complaints of wrongful termination or discrimination,...

Market would covet Discover biz; But Morgan Stanley says it will keep credit unit.(News)
September 4, 2006... Byline: STEVE DANIELS About a year ago, Morgan Stanley CEO John Mack reversed his predecessor Philip Purcell's decision to spin off the Discover card business headquartered in the northern suburbs. Mr. Mack may want to rethink that...

Chemicals.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... G. Allen Andreas Chairman Archer Daniels Midland Co. Decatur Age: 63 Business: Agribusiness Revenues (millions): $35,944 Professional: A. C. Toepfer International Group; Gruma S.A.; Agricore United; Economic...

Consumer Services.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... Carol Lavin Bernick Chairman Alberto-Culver Co. Melrose Park Age: 54 Business: Personal care and household products Revenues (millions): $3,531.2 Professional: World Presidents' Organization; Cosmetic, Toiletry...

Walgreen faces old foes in new biz; Pharmacy giant eyes market dominated by Medco, Express Scripts.(News)
September 4, 2006... Byline: SHRUTI DATE SINGH Having spent most of its 105 years building rather than buying drugstores, Walgreen Co. is turning to acquisitions to break into the fast-growing specialty pharmacy business. Specialty pharmacies provide...

Bond adviser bags state biz; Scott Balice Strategies surges to top of pack during Blagojevich's term.(News)(Company overview)
September 4, 2006... Byline: GREG HINZ AND STEVEN R. STRAHLER Starting from scratch less than four years ago, a Chicago consulting firm with early ties to the Blagojevich administration has enjoyed a rapid rise to become the top financial adviser on state bond...

Investment chief has product, profit motives.(People)
September 4, 2006... Byline: Lorene Yue Job: President and chief investment officer, Ibbotson Associates Inc., since Aug. 2. Vitals: 35 years old; bachelor's degree, 1992, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China; Ph.D. in consumer economics, 1997,...

Malaise in French dining; Trendier cuisines steal spotlight, in more modern settings; selling demi-glace to get by.(The Business of Life)(Industry overview)
September 4, 2006... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY It's a recent weeknight at Le Francais restaurant in Wheeling, and Chef Roland Liccioni and his staff are at the top of their game. The terrine d'artichaut is bathed in a velvety ravigote sauce; the consomme de canard...

A SCION ON THE RISE; Son of Aon founder tries to build a tech titan in Chicago.(News)(Patrick Ryan Jr.)
September 4, 2006... Byline: JULIE JOHNSSON Like his father 40 years ago, Patrick Ryan Jr. is launching his entrepreneurial career selling new management tools to automobile dealers. That's not the only cue he's taken from Patrick Ryan Sr., who started...

Tough points at Broken Arrow; Hazard-strewn nines turn into long rounds.(The Business of Life)(Broken Arrow Golf Club)
September 4, 2006... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY At Broken Arrow Golf Club in Lockport, an 18-hole round invites you to choose among three very different nines: the South course, with myriad lakes; the East course, a links-style layout with sloping fairways, and the...

At Deadline.(Late News)(Chicago Tribune Co.)(Tootsie Roll Industries Inc.)(United Air Lines Inc.)
September 4, 2006... Tribune boosts RedEye output 50% Chicago Tribune is upping distribution of RedEye 50%, to 150,000 copies, and nearly doubling its 1,100 newspaper boxes in the city. Brad Moore, general manager of the free weekday tabloid, says new clients'...

Business Services.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... GARY D. AHLQUIST Senior vice-president, managing partner Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. Chicago Age: 53 Business: Management consulting Revenues (millions): $3,700 Professional: Economic Club Civic: Children's...

Corrections.(Correction notice)
September 4, 2006... An Aug. 28 story gave incorrect figures for Solo Cup Co.'s cash flow from operations in 2005 and 2003. The figures were $2.7 million in 2005 and $29.6 million in 2003. A graphic accompanying an Aug. 28 story on Boeing Co. should have...

U.S. House mulling state-funded corporate tax boondoggle.(Opinion)
September 4, 2006... Byline: Marc J. Lane The U.S. House of Representatives will soon consider looting state government treasuries to enrich national businesses adept at dodging taxes. If the Business Activity Tax Simplification Act is enacted, state and...

First Defender profit since '83; New focus rejuvenates storied black newspaper.(News)
September 4, 2006... Byline: JEREMY MULLMAN Crain News Service The Chicago Defender is making money for the first time since 1983. The 101-year-old African-American daily newspaper made a modest $117,000 last year on the heels of a $950,000 loss the year...

FreightCar runs out of steam; After soaring 200%, train car maker's shares start to fall.(Markets)
September 4, 2006... Byline: BOB TITA After barreling through the stock market like a runaway train, FreightCar America Inc. has jumped the tracks. The leading maker of railroad coal cars staged one of the most successful initial public offerings of stock...

Who's Who in Chicago Business.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... We like round numbers. And we were this close to having an even 700 people on our Who's Who list this year. Carole R. Doris was named chairman of the Metra board and we had crept up to 698. But that's it. No more. That's the way it goes...

Architecture & Engineering.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... CAROL ROSS BARNEY Design principal Ross Barney & Jankowski Inc. Chicago Age: 57 Business: Architectural design Revenues (millions): $5 Professional: American Institute of Architects; Chicago Women in...

Banking.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 4, 2006... Edward M. Bakwin Chairman MB Financial Bank Inc. Chicago Age: 78 Business: Commercial bank holding company Assets (millions): $5,719 Professional: Executives' Club; Union Bank N.A. Civic: University of Chicago;...

Obama on oil; THE SENATOR IS RECASTING ENERGY CONSERVATION AS A SECURITY ISSUE.(Commentary)
September 4, 2006... Byline: Greg Hinz Barack Obama's trip to Africa has received the kind of adoring media coverage that other politicians only dream about. Though Illinois' rock star senator is enjoying what by now must be his third or fourth 15 minutes of...

Insider favorites: Dishes that aren't on the menu.(The Business of Life)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Byline: Laura Bianchi Many restaurants have certain dishes-an old favorite, new experiment or seasonal item-that are available only to those in the know. What's not on the menu that you need to ask about? Spiaggia Cafe 980 N....

Conventions.(Calendar/Datebook)(Calendar)
September 4, 2006... THIS WEEK SEPT. 6-13: International Manufacturing Technology Show, McCormick Place, estimated attendance 90,000. SEPT. 7-8: International Council of Shopping Centers-Chicago Deal Making meeting, Hyatt Regency Chicago, estimated...

Discounters plan growth in area; Steve & Barry's among chains poised to expand.(News)(National Wholesale Buying Inc. and Steve & Barry's University Sportswear Inc.)
September 4, 2006... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY Even as Target and Wal-Mart are stymied by the City Council's new big-box wage proposal, a handful of smaller deep discounters plan expansion in the area. Forman Mills Inc., a Pennsylvania-based chain of 19 stores...

Ethanol still driving ADM's shares higher; Archer Daniels Midland Co. Friday Close: $41.99.(Markets)(Brief article)
September 4, 2006... Byline: Daniel Rome Levine The pick: Birkelbach owns 10,000 shares of the Decatur-based corn and soybean processor. He has bought his shares over the last three years at an average cost of $30 each. He says the stock could climb above $50...

Datebook.(Calendar/Datebook)(Calendar)
September 4, 2006... THIS WEEK SEPT. 5: Score presents Basics of Going Into Business. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Score, Citicorp Center, 500 W. Madison St., Suite 1250. Fee: $60. (312) 353-7724. SEPT. 5-6: Women's Business Development Center presents Financial...

Power bills set to surge; This week's ComEd auction likely to up '07 rates 17% to 23.(News)
September 4, 2006... Byline: STEVE DANIELS Chicago-area electricity bills are likely to rise 17% to 23% in 2007 in the wake of this week's state-run power auction-a process that will determine how high Commonwealth Edison Co.'s rates can go after a nine-year...

Eyewitnesses to Terror.(Pritzker Military Library)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Ground Zero Brennan Smith, 35 9/11: Investment banker, Citigroup Inc., Chicago Now: same a jolt of fear went through him. "i'm sitting in the bull's-eye," he said aloud in the empty room. south tower Mike Dunn, 34...

Need to Know.(Focus: Small Business)(Survey)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... 122 Number of franchises headquartered in the Chicago area. 34,667 Number of franchise stores those parent companies have throughout the U.S. 3 Chicago's rank among U.S. cities for number of franchises.

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES? You think you've got the chops to run a franchise, but do you have the cash? Here's a look at how much some popular franchises cost.(Focus: Small Business)
September 11, 2006... McDonald's Business: Fast-food restaurant Franchise fee: $45,000 Average royalty: 14% Average total investment: $655,750-$1.3 million Carlson Wagonlit Business: Travel agency Franchise fee: $1,500 Average...

Boeing's retooling defense arsenal; 'Smart' weapons take aim at evolving terror targets.
September 11, 2006... Byline: PAUL MERRION Five years after Sept. 11, as the U.S. defense budget plateaus for aircraft and other big-ticket weapon systems, Boeing Co. is fighting for a piece of the global war on terrorism. Defense planners have foreseen the...

A LOSS 'YOU NEVER RECOVER FROM'; Coping with son's death, and life in wartime.(9/11 Five Years Later)
September 11, 2006... Byline: JULIE JARGON A year-and-a-half after the attacks, the war on terror crashed into Jim Frazier's life with a phone call. It came at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2003: An Illinois Air National Guard officer informed Mr....

IN AFTERMATH, OPPORTUNITY; A former sales rep builds a $20-million business in wake of the attacks.(News)
September 11, 2006... Byline: JULIE JARGON When terrorists attacked New York and Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11, 2001, Jerry Johnson was in Naperville, on his way to work at his job selling video-conferencing services. Two years later, Mr. Johnson was on his...

Kimball Hill hits building blocks; Scorched by big Sun Belt bets, homebuilder cuts prices, dangles incentives.(News)
September 11, 2006... Byline: ALBY GALLUN Kimball Hill Inc., the Rolling Meadows homebuilder that bet big on hot markets like Las Vegas and California in the recent housing boom, is now paying a heavy price as those markets cool off faster than the nation as a...

Madison County goes quiet; Class actions halt after federal law, Ill. courts curb forum shopping.(News)
September 11, 2006... Byline: SHRUTI DATE SINGH The flow of class-action lawsuits to Downstate Madison County, once a magnet for plaintiffs' lawyers from around the country, has come to a virtual halt in the wake of federal legislation and Illinois court...

POTBELLY TAPS INTO STARBUCKS; Links stretch from boardroom to executive suite to store sites.(News)
September 11, 2006... Byline: JULIE JARGON The Starbucks quotient is rising at Potbelly Sandwich Works LLC. The Chicago-based sandwich chain named three Starbucks Corp. veterans to top executive posts this year. Starbucks founder Howard Schultz sits on...

Pack picker.(The Business of Life)(Barbara Miller from Emporium Luggage)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Byline: Kevin Davis Barbara Miller, manager, Emporium Luggage, 128 N. LaSalle St., Chicago Duties: Oversees store, helps customers choose luggage by size and type. Customers: "We get the whole financial district as well as city,...

Words to the wise on the long journey to the throne.(Focus: Small Business)(Franchising Dreams: The Lure of Entrepreneurship in America)(Franchising for Dummies)(Book review)
September 11, 2006... Byline: DEE GILL Still wondering if franchising is for you? Interested in becoming an owner but worried about getting burned? In the do-it-yourself world of buying a franchise, these resources can help. books "Franchising Dreams:...

Smart power choices are key for towns, biz in auction's wake.(Opinion)(electric power rates gows up)
September 11, 2006... Byline: Donald A. Petkus Donald A. Petkus is president and CEO of non-profit economic development group Enterpriz Cook County. The price of power is about to go up. Businesses and municipalities should prepare for a forecast increase...

Librarian takes up a fight; Patriot Act sparks defense of readers' rights; not 'a choice of either-or'.(9/11 Five Years Later)
September 11, 2006... Byline: JULIE JARGON Skokie librarian Carolyn Anthony's call to action came not on the day terrorists struck the U.S., but later, after Congress passed the USA Patriot Act. The law allows federal authorities to seize "any tangible...

FROM AIRLINES' TAILSPIN, A FAMILY DIS-UNITED; He thought he'd be a company lifer, like his dad.(9/11 Five Years Later)(Bob Braden)
September 11, 2006... Byline: JULIE JARGON As the son of a retired United Airlines customer service rep and the husband of a former United computer technician, Bob Braden thought he'd spend his entire career working for the airline that has employed 11 of his...

Waste Mgmt. execs play old tune in new business; Junkyard roll-up LKQ hits high notes, but shorts are humming along.(Markets)
September 11, 2006... Byline: BOB TITA A group of former Waste Management Inc. executives is adapting the trash hauler's consolidation strategy for the auto salvage business. LKQ Corp.'s executive roster includes CEO Joseph Holsten, chief operating officer...

Want to be king? Buying a franchise is one way to be your own boss. Is it for you?(Focus: Small Business)
September 11, 2006... Byline: DEE GILL Want to own your own business but lack that entrepreneurial drive to innovate constantly, obsess over inventory and haggle ruthlessly with vendors? Welcome to franchising, a kind of pseudo-entrepreneurship where the...

The numbers don't lie? Think again. And again. How to figure out if a franchise is the real deal.(Focus: Small Business)
September 11, 2006... Byline: DEE GILL People in the franchising business used to tout a popular statistic, one supposedly backed by government data: 95% of franchisees succeed in their first year of business, while 85% of independent small businesses fail. ...

Tales from the dark side; Beware the franchise ghouls and goblins.(Focus: Small Business)
September 11, 2006... Byline: DEE GILL Every business owner faces the dark side-unwelcome surprises the first couple of years in business. Here is a look at the top seven problems new franchisees face and how to handle them. Too little money, too much work...

In trying to build bridges, he finds a much deeper divide; Former businessman learns the difficulty of being Muslim in post-9/11 U.S.(9/11 Five Years Later)
September 11, 2006... Byline: JULIE JARGON Ahmed Rehab walked away from the business world to become a spokesman for American Muslims-and walked into a firestorm. On Sept. 11, 2001, Mr. Rehab was a consultant at Arthur Andersen in Chicago. In the wake of...

Conventions.(Calendar/Datebook)(Calendar)
September 11, 2006... THIS WEEK SEPT. 11-12: Joint Commission Resources Ambulatory Care Conference, Westin Chicago River North, estimated attendance 400. SEPT. 11-13: Sonic Corp. National Convention, Navy Pier, estimated attendance 3,200. SEPT. 11-15:...

Golden Apple raising profile beyond prizes.(People)
September 11, 2006... Byline: Gregory Meyer Job: President and CEO, Golden Apple Foundation, since May. Vitals: 52 years old; bachelor's and master's degrees, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1975 and 1978. English teacher, York Community High School,...

Civic watcher.(The Business of Life)(Margaret T. Burroughs from DuSable Museum)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Byline: Dan Weissmann Margaret T. Burroughs, 88, is founder and director emeritus of the DuSable Museum of African-American History and has been a Chicago Park District commissioner since 1985. How she stays current: Radio news in the...

Lazard looks to burnish rep; Exec appointments boost bank's faded profile.(News)(David Kurtz and George W. Bilicic Jr. been promoted)
September 11, 2006... Byline: STEVEN R. STRAHLER Lazard Ltd. promoted Managing Director David Kurtz to co-head of its 30-member national corporate restructuring practice, as the investment bank tries to reverse its decline here from the glory days under J. Ira...

Subway to profits; Turning sandwiches into a bread maker.(Focus: Small Business)(Company overview)
September 11, 2006... Byline: DEE GILL In 16 years as franchisees, Steven and Julie Puntney have waded through the typical problems. Competition from their own chain, a dying brand, a location no one would work at and nasty public fights between the franchisees...

The doughboy; The secret to success? Good people, training.(Focus: Small Business)
September 11, 2006... Byline: DEE GILL Many a fast-food franchisee has experienced a flash of panic upon realizing his life savings rests in the hands of teen-agers who may not show up for work. Aziz Nathani had such moments when he opened his first Dunkin'...

Keeping it real (in real estate); Two high school friends cash in on new trend.(Focus: Small Business)(Mike Neumann and George Cios from Help-U-Sell Real Estate )(Company overview)
September 11, 2006... Byline: DEE GILL There was nothing about Mike Neumann's career that suggested he'd ever go into real estate. As a teenager, he worked summers at his father's tool-and-die shop in Glenview. After college, he worked in marketing for an...

It's good to be (franchise) queen; Wanted: sales skills and respect for elders.(interview Shelly Sun)(BrightStar Healthcare)(Interview)
September 11, 2006... Byline: DEE GILL How do you take a young, community-based company and turn it into a nationwide franchise? Shelly Sun, 36, founder of Chicago-based BrightStar Healthcare, has a plan. Ms. Sun, a former insurance industry CPA who started...

Eyewitness; Lower Manhattan.(9/11 Five Years Later)(Brief article)
September 11, 2006... Byline: Daniel Rome Levine John DeKoker, 35 9/11: Unemployed, New York Now: Law student, DePaul University, Chicago With the north tower already smoldering, the fireball he saw exploding out of the World Trade Center's south...

The franchise; DEPT. OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY: BE YOUR OWN BOSS.(Focus: Small Business)
September 11, 2006... Byline: Thomas Mucha Ah, Chicago, stacker of wheat, stormy, husky, brawling, city of the big shoulders. Whatever. Our town should really be called home of the franchise. Don't believe me? Look out the window. You're likely to see some...

Cosi expands Downstate; But some analysts say chain is spread too thin.(News)
September 11, 2006... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY Executives at Cosi Inc. are about to see if their upscale fast-food concept will play in Peoria. Now based in Deerfield, Cosi was founded a decade ago in New York and has focused on major metropolitan markets such...