Crain's Chicago Business articles from September 2008

Crain's Chicago Business archives from September 2008

Utilities & energy.(Focus: Who's Who)(Directory)
September 1, 2008... Frank M. Clark Chairman, CEO Commonwealth Edison Co. Chicago Age: 62 Business: Electric utility Revenue (millions): $6,104.0 Professional: Economic Club; Executives' Club; Waste Management Inc.; Harris Financial...

Who's Who.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 1, 2008... Byline: Michelle Evans So, who's the face behind that suit? Year in and year out, Crain's seeks to identify the individuals who are shaping Chicago. Individuals like Patrick G. Ryan, former executive chairman of Aon Corp., and real...

Customers fired up over Nicor bills; Hundreds file complaints about whopping gas charges.(News)(Northern Illinois Gas Co.)
September 1, 2008... Byline: STEVE DANIELS Hundreds of Nicor customers are fuming over their gas bills, saying the suburban utility is socking them with bloated bills that stem from infrequent meter readings. Consumer watchdog Citizens Utility Board has...

For the Record.(Briefs)
September 1, 2008... Gov. Blagojevich signed an executive order that he says improves on the "pay-to-play'' ethics bill passed by the General Assembly this year; the governor's order includes fundraising restrictions. The bill's chief Senate sponsor, Don Harmon,...

Summer: The living wasn't so easy; Hard workers head back into fall without a real break.(Business of Life)
September 1, 2008... Byline: RITA PYRILLIS Gary Lancina hadn't missed a summer vacation to California since 1992, but this year his wife and 4-year-old twins went without him. Mr. Lancina, 41, vice-president of marketing at Redbox Automated Retail LLC, a...

Construction services.(Focus: Who's Who)(Directory)
September 1, 2008... Jeffrey L. Arfsten Chief operating officer Bovis Lend Lease Inc. Chicago Age: 54 Business: Construction Revenue (millions): $13,732.0 Civic: Boy Scouts of America; Chicago Central Area Committee; Metropolitan...

Tyree's risk aversion boosts Mesirow; Firm resisted subprime; annual revenue rises 9%.(News)(Mesirow Financial Holdings Inc's James Tyree)
September 1, 2008... Byline: ANN SAPHIR Mesirow Financial Holdings Inc. CEO James Tyree's aversion to high-risk investments-despite their potential for outsized returns-helped the Chicago firm weather a lousy year. Mesirow's revenue jumped 9% to $492...

Banking.(Focus: Who's Who)(Directory)
September 1, 2008... BANKING Norman R. Bobins Chairman PrivateBank-Chicago Chicago Age: 65 Business: Financial services Assets (millions): $6,013.6 (PrivateBancorp Inc.) Professional: AAR Corp.; Global Hyatt Corp.; Nicor Inc.;...

FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHTER FOR GREENBACK, CME; A conversation with money manager William G. Hart.(Markets)(Interview)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Byline: Daniel Rome Levine William G. Hart, 56, president, Hartline Investment Corp., Chicago Experience: 34 years Assets under management: $630 million CRAIN'S: Do you expect further strengthening of the dollar? Mr. Hart:...

With capital bill stuck in the House, state's future at risk.(Viewpoint essay)
September 1, 2008... Byline: Anthony R. Licata Anthony R. Licata is chairman of the Illinois Capital Development Board. Would you invest in a public company that is generating almost $60 billion in annual sales but has invested very little in capital...

Law.(Focus: Who's Who)(Directory)
September 1, 2008... Laurel G. Bellows Principal Bellows & Bellows P.C. Chicago Age: 60 Business: Law firm Revenue (millions): Not available Professional: American Bar Assn.; National Conference of Bar Presidents; Executives' Club;...

Chin music; LOFTY CONVENTION RHETORIC ASIDE, CAMPAIGNS PREPARE TO TRADE BEANBALLS.(News)
September 1, 2008... Byline: Greg Hinz DENVER-Call it an omen of things to come, the not-so-subtle utterance of a modern-day oracle. "One house, one spouse,'' the bumper sticker reads. At least, that's what it's alleged to read. I haven't actually seen a...

Barnes puts clamps on ad spending; Sara Lee chief targets marketing, focusing dollars on key brands.(News)
September 1, 2008... Byline: DAVID STERRETT Marketing whiz Brenda Barnes is squeezing Sara Lee Corp.'s advertising spending. A 21% cut in its marketing tab last quarter helped Sara Lee deliver its strongest results since Ms. Barnes took over as CEO in...

CONVENTION CRACKDOWN; Amid fierce competition for confabs, McCormick Place gets tough on crime.(News)
September 1, 2008... Byline: ROBERT HERGUTH Crime doesn't pay at McCormick Place anymore. Stepped-up surveillance, both in the hall and around the perimeter, seems to be working, according to interviews and internal reports released under the Illinois...

Government.(Focus: Who's Who)(Directory)
September 1, 2008... Rod R. Blagojevich Governor State of Illinois Chicago Age: 51 Business: State government Budget (millions): $58,300.0 Charles E. Box Chairman Illinois Commerce Commission Chicago Age: 57 ...

Health care.(Focus: Who's Who)(Directory)
September 1, 2008... Jeffrey S. Aronin President, CEO Ovation Pharmaceuticals Inc. Deerfield Age: 40 Business: Biopharmaceuticals Revenue (millions): Not available Professional: Discover Financial Services; Pharmaceutical Research...

CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS.(Focus: Who's Who)(Directory)
September 1, 2008... Ted A. Beattie President, CEO John G. Shedd Aquarium Chicago Age: 63 Business: Aquarium Operating budget (millions): $40.5 Professional: Assn. of Zoos and Aquariums; American Assn. of Museums; Economic Club;...

Retooled Trib to debut this month.(Briefs)(Chicago Tribune Co.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Chicago Tribune readers will get their first look at the paper's redesign on Sept. 29, said Tribune Chief Operating Officer Randy Michaels. Neither Mr. Michaels nor a company spokesman would provide details, but it appears that, contrary to a...

Manufacturing.(Focus: Who's Who)(Directory)
September 1, 2008... David J. Anderson President, CEO Sauer-Danfoss Inc. Lincolnshire Age: 60 Business: Auto parts and equipment Revenue (millions): $1,972.5 Professional: National Power Fluid Assn. Thomas M. Begel Chairman...

Food.(Focus: Who's Who)(Directory)
September 1, 2008... Thomas J. Baldwin Chairman, president, CEO Morton's Restaurant Group Inc. Chicago Age: 53 Business: Steakhouses Revenue (millions): $353.8 Brenda C. Barnes Chairman, CEO Sara Lee Corp. Downers...

Marketing & media.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 1, 2008... Lee Abrams Senior vice-president, chief innovation officer Tribune Co. Chicago Age: 55 Business: Publishing Revenue (millions): $5,063.0 Joseph J. Ahern President, general manager WBBM-TV/Channel 2 ...

FINANCIAL SERVICES.(Focus: Who's Who)(Company overview)
September 1, 2008... Carl S. Allegretti Midwest regional managing partner, U.S. and global clients and markets leader Deloitte Tax LLP Chicago Age: 47 Business: Professional services Revenue (millions): $9,850.0 (Deloitte & Touche USA...

Insurance.(Focus: Who's Who)(Directory)
September 1, 2008... Gregory C. Case President, CEO Aon Corp. Chicago Age: 45 Business: Risk, insurance brokerage Revenue (millions): $7,471.0 Professional: Economic Club; St. John's University School of Risk Management;...

Crain's Picks.(Business of Life)
September 1, 2008... Byline: Crystal Yednak Opening "Amadeus" 800 E. Grand Ave. (312) 595-5600 www.chicagoshakes.com 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday Tickets: $44 The Chicago Shakespeare Theater offers its take on this...

Destination: Mustique.(Business of Life)
September 1, 2008... Byline: Anne Ford GET AWAY: When Prince William visited Mustique in the West Indies this summer, he wasn't the first British royal to escape to the exclusive, 1,400-acre Caribbean island. His late great aunt, the stylish Princess Margaret,...

Hub 51 reaches out to next generation; Younger Melmans hit right note, price point.(Business of Life)
September 1, 2008... Byline: LAURA BIANCHI The restaurant industry may be hungry for business, but the Melman brothers are filling the house at their first venture, Hub 51. R. J. and Jerrod, sons of restaurateur Richard Melman, have tapped into the young...

Info Junkie.(Business of Life)
September 1, 2008... Byline: Laura Bianchi Mary Jo Herseth, 49, stays competition-ready by reading Triathlete magazine and using a virtual trainer. As market executive for Illinois and Michigan with U.S. Trust Bank of America Private Wealth Management, she...

Swept away by a windy course; Links-style Golf Club whipped into shape; precision shots required.(Business of Life)
September 1, 2008... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY Too many golf courses cut out of cornfields trumpet their so-called links-style layouts. On closer inspection, they are debased by fresh tree plantings and a Midwestern parkland ambiance on certain holes. Golf Club of...

Growing Fifth Third's commercial banking biz.(People)
September 1, 2008... Byline: Steve Daniels Job: Senior vice-president, head of business banking in Chicago for Fifth Third Bank, since Aug. 20. Vitals: 52 years old; bachelor's degree in finance and management, Purdue University, 1985; thrift examiner for...

Inheritance or fraud? A battle for millions.(Business of Life)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Byline: Shia Kapos Virginia "Ginny'' Rogers frequently spent time with Drake Tower neighbor George J. Dohrmann III. But did she like him so much she'd bequeath him her $4-million Lake Shore Drive condo plus an additional $4 million?...

Transportation.(Focus: Who's Who)(Directory)
September 1, 2008... Ann M. Drake CEO DSC Logistics Inc. Des Plaines Age: 60 Business: Logistics, supply chain management Revenue (millions): $200.0* Professional: A. M. Castle & Co.; Committee of 200; Chicago Network; Center for...

Retail.(Focus: Who's Who)(Directory)
September 1, 2008... Doris K. Christopher Chairman Pampered Chef Addison Age: 63 Business: Direct sales of kitchen tools Revenue (millions): Not available Professional: Direct Selling Assn.; Better Business Bureau; Committee of 200;...

Consumer Products & Services.(Focus: Who's Who)(Directory)
September 1, 2008... Steven D. Barnhart President, CEO Orbitz Worldwide Inc. Chicago Age: 46 Business: Online travel company Revenue (millions): $859.0 Professional: Mayor's Technology Advisory Council; Illinois Technology Assn. ...

On the Move.(People)(Sara Lee Corp. has appointed Shawn Welch)(Fifth Third Bank has appointed Ahmad Elsawaf)(MB Financial Inc. has appointed Arnold Brown)
September 1, 2008... CONSUMER SERVICES SARA LEE CORP., Chicago: Shawn Welch, 41, to vice-president of customer management for Sara Lee North American Retail, in Downers Grove, from vice-president of the sales and frozen foods division at Kellogg Co. ...

Training to ace your sport.(Business of Life)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Byline: Lisa Bertagnoli Among enthusiastic amateur athletes, functional training is as hot as Bikram yoga. Devotees say exercise moves that mimic the motions of a particular sport improve performance better than generic strength and...

Technology & telecom.(Focus: Who's Who)(Directory)
September 1, 2008... Michael J. Birck Chairman Tellabs Inc. Naperville Age: 70 Business: Telecommunications equipment provider Revenue (millions): $1,913.0 Professional: Molex Inc.; Tau Beta Pi; Eta Kappa Nu Civic: Purdue...

Business Services.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 1, 2008... Gary D. Ahlquist Senior vice-president, managing partner Booz & Co. Chicago Age: 55 Business: Management consulting Revenue (millions): $4,000.0 * Professional: Economic Club Civic: Children's Home and Aid...

Non-profits.(Focus: Who's Who)(Directory)
September 1, 2008... Ellen S. Alberding President Joyce Foundation Chicago Age: 50 Business: Charitable foundation Budget (millions): $42.0 Professional: Economic Club Civic: Commercial Club; National Panel on the Nonprofit...

Architecture & Engineering.(Focus: Who's Who)(Directory)
September 1, 2008... Carol Ross Barney Design principal Ross Barney Architects Inc. Chicago Age: 59 Business: Architectural design Revenue (millions): $5.0 Professional: American Institute of Architects; Chicago Women in...

MOTO RISING? Motorola shares, rallying after an unexpected profit, remain a bet on the come with phone sales lagging and company's planned split a year away.(Markets)(appointment of Sanjay Jha )
September 1, 2008... Byline: JOHN PLETZ Motorola Inc., enjoying improved reception from investors recently, remains a long way from full strength. Shares of the Schaumburg-based company are up 39% from a five-year low of $6.76 July 15, driven by an...

Malls facing yuletide slide; Forecast: Sales to fall faster as shoppers cut back.(News)
September 1, 2008... Byline: MONE FIELDS-WHITE Sales at Chicago-area shopping malls are headed for steeper declines this year as the economy sputters, setting the stage for an even gloomier holiday season. Overall drop-off at the region's 22 biggest malls...

BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS.(Focus: Who's Who)(Directory)
September 1, 2008... Gregory W. Baise President, CEO Illinois Manufacturers' Assn. Oak Brook Age: 56 Business: Membership organization for manufacturers Budget (millions): $3.5 Professional: Economic Club; Executives' Club; National...

Real Estate.(Focus: Who's Who)
September 1, 2008... Michael J. Alter President Alter Group Ltd. Skokie Age: 47 Business: Real estate development Revenue (millions): $595.8 Professional: Urban Land Institute; YPO-WPO; Economic Club Civic: City Year; Illinois...

CHICAGO'S HOPE; An Obama win promises city a lasting lift, but a losing campaign would drive up his hometown's negatives.(News)(Barack Obama)
September 1, 2008... Byline: PAUL MERRION DENVER-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's historic rise as the first black-and first Chicagoan-to be nominated for president by a major party promises to recast the city's international image, one of many implications his...

Chemicals & Agribusiness.(Focus: Who's Who)(Directory)
September 1, 2008... G. Allen Andreas Former chairman Archer Daniels Midland Co. Decatur Age: 65 Business: Agribusiness Revenue (millions): $44,018.0 William J. Doyle President, CEO Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. ...

Wextrust's local holdings on ice; 'Food fight' over area properties predicted.(News)(Wextrust Capital LLC )
September 1, 2008... Byline: ALBY GALLUN The fate of 10 local properties formerly controlled by Wextrust Capital LLC is hanging in the air amid federal charges that the Chicago firm's founders bilked investors through a $100-million Ponzi scheme. A...

Now, all eyes turn to Obama's hometown.(Viewpoint essay)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Chicago, the whole world is watching again. Barack Obama's nomination as the Democratic candidate for president means his hometown will be in both the national and the international spotlights. Media from around the globe will flock here...

Hot pockets; IIT researcher pushes battery-cooling material.(Focus: Small Business)(All Cell Technologies LLC)(Company overview)
September 8, 2008... Byline: EMILY STONE Anyone who has sat on the couch for a couple of hours with a laptop knows how hot the machines can get. The culprit is the lithium-ion battery. Compact and coveted for their long life, the batteries are useful in...

Do profit motives and research mix? As academics chase biz opportunities, an ethicist ponders the pros, cons.(Focus: Small Business)(Michael Kalichman speaks on university researchers becoming entrepreneurs)(Interview)
September 8, 2008... Byline: EMILY STONE Michael Kalichman, who has a doctorate in neuropharmacology, has taught research ethics at the University of California at San Diego for 20 years. In 1997, he founded the Research Ethics Program there. Mr. Kalichman,...

Open questions; PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDERS HAVE MUCH TO CLARIFY AS CAMPAIGN HEATS UP.(News)
September 8, 2008... Byline: Greg Hinz After what may have been the two most-watched presidential conventions in history, one thing surely can be said. Whether they live in Lakeview or Long Island, Berwyn or Beaufort, Americans are engaged in this election in...

Seeking a breakthrough; Can Illinois universities catch up with coastal rivals in the race to launch profitable businesses?(Focus: Small Business)
September 8, 2008... Byline: EMILY STONE Despite trying for decades to lift ideas out of the laboratory and turn them into marketable products, Illinois has yet to crack the technology transfer code. The state lags established tech centers in California...

Bumper crops in a test tube; U of C geneticist's firm aims to boost farm yields.(Focus: Small Business)(Occupation overview)
September 8, 2008... Byline: EMILY STONE Daphne Preuss was a 30-year-old post-doctoral researcher in genetics at Stanford University in 1993 when she started puzzling over the problem of increasing demands on global agriculture and what geneticists could do...

Sweating the small stuff; NU nanotech expert sees upside to turning lab ideas into products.(Focus: Small Business)
September 8, 2008... Byline: EMILY STONE Discoveries may be made in the lab, says Chad Mirkin, founder of medical technology company Nanosphere Inc., but it's what happens outside the lab that counts. "The impact of a scientist is ultimately measured by...

Searching for profit; U of I-born RiverGlass pans for gold on Web.(Focus: Small Business)(RiverGlass Inc.)
September 8, 2008... Byline: EMILY STONE Run a Google search on "elf.'' Top results include information on the Will Ferrell movie, sprightly forest creatures and a group studying the language invented by J. R. R. Tolkien in his "Lord of the Rings'' trilogy....

On the Move.(People)(Mark Banholzer appointed at RTKL Associates Inc.)(Bradley H. Winick appointed at URS Corp.)(Old Second National Bank of Aurora promotes Roger Schnorr)
September 8, 2008... ARCHITECTURE/ENGINEERING RTKL ASSOCIATES INC., Chicago: Mark Banholzer, 44, to vice-president and national practice leader for health care interior architecture, from design principal and vice-president at HOK Group Inc. URS CORP., San...

Datebook.(Calendar/Datebook)(Calendar)
September 8, 2008... THIS WEEK SEPT. 8: Career Resource Center Inc. presents Resume Preparation and Presentation. 10:15 a.m. Career Resource Center, Grove Cultural Campus, 40 E. Old Mill Road, Suite 105, Lake Forest. Free for first-time attendees; others pay...

Unread meters are no excuse for cashing in.(Opinion)
September 8, 2008... Imagine going to a grocery store to buy a loaf of bread and, instead of paying at the checkout register, you get a bill six months later reflecting a price hike implemented after you bought the bread. That's basically what's happening to...

Need to Know.(Focus: Small Business)
September 8, 2008... Byline: Sources: Better World Project Database, Assn. of University Technology Managers, Nanotechweb.org 25 Number of U.S. universities that had technology transfer offices before 1980. 230 Number as of 2006. 2 ...

Info Junkie.(Business of Life)
September 8, 2008... Byline: Christina Le Beau Computer scientist Kristian Hammond, 51, founded Northwestern University's Intelligent Information Laboratory and consults with companies such as Boeing Co. and Motorola Inc. on artificial-intelligence technology....

On 'Grey's Anatomy': A supporting role for Hospira.(Business of Life)(Hospira Inc.)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... Byline: Laura Bianchi After a new episode of "Grey's Anatomy'' on ABC, employees at Hospira Inc. in Lake Forest dish not only about the escapades of Meredith and McDreamy but also about the supporting role of the company's medical...

Correction.(News)(Correction notice)
September 8, 2008... The name of Ron Culp, partner and managing director at Ketchum Inc., was misspelled in a Sept. 1 Business of Life story.

Navistar, Ford chasm narrows; With GM truck deal scuttled, settlement talks picking up.(News)
September 8, 2008... Byline: BOB TITA Navistar International Corp. and Ford Motor Co. are working harder to repair their relationship after Navistar failed to strike a truck-building deal with General Motors Corp. Executives with Navistar and Ford have had...

Suburban habits die hard; Move downtown requires an attitude adjustment; who says my dog can't be in the elevator?(Business of Life)
September 8, 2008... Byline: SHIA KAPOS Jill Zwick steeled herself for the sacrifices she'd need to make moving from the suburbs to downtown Chicago, but there were a few things she wouldn't relinquish. One was green space-or at least a bit of it. The...

Crain's Picks.(Business of Life)(Calendar)
September 8, 2008... Byline: Crystal Yednak Now on Sale Lucinda Williams Riviera Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24 Tickets: $34 www.ticketmaster.com, (312) 559-1212 Kings of Leon and We are Scientists Aragon Ballroom, 7 p.m. Oct. 31 ...

Biz leaders aim to revive Ill. GOP; Chicago execs vetting gubernatorial hopefuls.(News)
September 8, 2008... Byline: PAUL MERRION As GOP presidential nominee John McCain enters the stretch run, Chicago executives are trying to reverse the Illinois Republican Party's long slide from power. After losing the last two gubernatorial races and...

Non-profit's job one: Reach out to women.(People)
September 8, 2008... Byline: Monee Fields-White Job: Vice-president of women's philanthropy, Oak Brook-based Opportunity International, since August. Vitals: 44 years old; bachelor's degree in government and law, Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., 1986;...

Construction loan delinquencies rise; Residential, commercial slumps taking their toll.(News)
September 8, 2008... Byline: ALBY GALLUN More local real estate developers fell behind on construction loan payments in the second quarter, with one measure of loan delinquency hitting its highest point since at least 1992. Sliding sales of condominiums...

Gray skies ahead for building; Construction industry outlook even worse than anticipated.(News)(Industry overview)
September 8, 2008... Byline: EDDIE BAEB The nation's construction industry outlook has turned gloomier as housing and credit woes deepen. New construction starts this year are projected to decline 11% nationwide, to $558.5 billion, according to a recent...

Wendy's 99-cent deal gets meatier; Double Stack sandwich to be offered nationally.(News)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... Byline: EMILY BRYSON YORK Crain News Service While much of the fast-food industry is rethinking its bet on discount menus, Wendy's International Inc. is doubling down with burgers. The Dublin, Ohio-based chain is adding a Double Stack...

Obama bytes into new-media effort; Outspends McCain on wireless services.(News)
September 8, 2008... Byline: GARY E. SALAZAR Crain News Service U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's new-media platform to reach potential voters is lining the pockets of wireless companies. According to campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election...

Banco seeks a buyer; Hispanic-owned bank could fetch $1 billion.(News)
September 8, 2008... Byline: STEVE DANIELS Banco Popular North America, whose push to capture the Hispanic banking market in Chicago has stalled in recent years, is for sale. Holding company Popular Inc. of San Juan, Puerto Rico, has hired New York-based...

Divorce brings claim of family conspiracy.(Business of Life)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... Byline: Shia Kapos David "Buzz'' Ruttenberg, one of the city's top commercial real estate developers, is embroiled in a divorce war between his son, Geoffrey, and daughter-in-law, Myra, who accuses the two men of conspiring against her....

Destination: Green Bay, Wis.(Business of Life)
September 8, 2008... Byline: Lisa Bertagnoli GET AWAY: Green Bay is the smallest city to house a major-league sports franchise. But the town has more to offer than Lambeau Field and the Packers. Its quaint downtown is filled with stately buildings, and it's...

A STOMACH-CHURNER; Local restaurateurs gut out rising costs, slowing sales.(News)(Gene and Georgetti)
September 8, 2008... Byline: MONE FIELDS-WHITE Restaurateur Tony Durpetti weathered the recession of 2001, but this one is different. His River North steakhouse, Gene & Georgetti, has seen many slowdowns over the past seven decades. But he faces another...

Brunswick's boat rescue; Fear of glut spurs boatmaker's bid for troubled dealer's fleet.(News)(Boatmaker Brunswick Corp.)
September 8, 2008... Byline: BOB TITA Boatmaker Brunswick Corp., trying to fend off a market glut as the economy sputters, wants to buy up the inventory of its largest West Coast dealer. Brunswick is expected to submit another bid for the thousand or so...

Chamber president eyes run for guv.(Briefs)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... Illinois Chamber of Commerce President Doug Whitley is mulling a run for governor. Mr. Whitley informed the Springfield-based business group's board that he is forming an exploratory committee to run as a Republican in the 2010 election; the...

Peninsula in fine form after shaking things up; Lobby's New American a smart shift; Avenues tasting a winner (mostly).(Business of Life)
September 8, 2008... Byline: H. LEE MURPHY Judging by largely empty dining rooms at the Peninsula Hotel on several recent visits, Chicagoans and tourists alike are eating someplace else these days. Perhaps $500 dinners for two (in the signature Avenues) and...

For The Record.(Briefs)
September 8, 2008... Representatives from Boeing and the machinists union representing 27,000 aircraft assembly workers met with a federal mediator during an unusual two-day contract extension. Members of the union voted overwhelmingly to strike then learned both...

SUGAR BUZZ KILL; As hopes for buyout lift stock, surging commodity costs threaten to bury Tootsie Roll's profit.(Markets)(Tootsie Roll Industries Inc.)(Financial report)
September 8, 2008... Investors stocking up on Tootsie Roll Industries Inc. in the belief the candymaker will be sold should be prepared to take their licks. Shares of Chicago-based Tootsie Roll are up 18% since early July amid ramped-up expectations the company...

ADVOCATE PUSHES SOUTH; Hospital chain makes $500-mil. play for south suburban market.(News)
September 8, 2008... Byline: MIKE COLIAS Advocate Health Care is pouring $500 million into hospital expansions and new facilities across the south suburbs in a two-pronged bid to dominate the market in the fast-growing area and challenge big-name academic...

Dunkin' runs on Starbucks; Doughnut chain eyes sites once considered by coffee purveyor.(News)
September 8, 2008... Byline: EDDIE BAEB Dunkin' Donuts is moving to fill in the gap as Starbucks Corp. retrenches. The doughnut chain is eyeing at least four local sites for drive-through locations where Starbucks had planned to open stores. Seattle-based...

FULL-MUNI FEVER: BONDS A SAFE PORT IN CREDIT STORM; A conversation with money manager Bill Gurtin.(Markets)(Gurtin Fixed Income Management LLC)(Interview)
September 8, 2008... Byline: Bruce Blythe Bill Gurtin, 48, CEO and managing director, Gurtin Fixed Income Management LLC, San Diego and Chicago Experience: 23 years Assets under management: $5.3 billion CRAIN'S: You mostly hold government and...

Next leader must get it: Major cities need major investment.(Opinion)
September 8, 2008... Byline: MarySue Barrett MarySue Barrett is president of the Metropolitan Planning Council in Chicago. After two weeks of platitudes about the American dream, working families and our children's future, voters have emerged from the...

BOARD COMPENSATION.(Focus: Corporate Boards)
September 15, 2008... BOARD COMPENSATION is always a hot-button issue with shareholders, especially when a stock isn't performing well. And while it's not the only factor in good corporate governance, it is a major one. So, are investors in Chicago's public...