Taxes and housing prices drive some Chicagoans out
By Yingcong (June) Fu The third largest city in the U.S., Chicago has been seeing a slow population growth due to high tax rates and living expenses. According to the census data by the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Chicago grew 0.9 percent to 2.7 million in the five years from 2010 to 2015, […]
Japanese startups face hurdles in exit opportunities
By Katherine Hyunjung Lee Entrepreneurship is becoming a more accepted career path in Japan, but certain persistent traits of Japan’s economy and culture are adding a color of their own and altering the trajectory of growth. In the U.S., the term “serial entrepreneur” is used to describe those who start multiple new businesses, grow them […]
Chicago coding bootcamp trains veterans for IT
By Wenjing Yang Conlin McManus, 23, heard about Code Platoon, a coding school in Chicago geared for veterans, two weeks before the end of his active duty as a Marine. He thought it could be “a fighting chance” for him to develop a successful civilian career. Code Platoon, a Chicago nonprofit that puts military veterans […]
Natural gas threatens future of nuclear energy
By Urvashi Verma Nuclear power, the glamorous, high-tech power of the future, may be losing the energy race to humble natural gas, as abundant U.S. shale gas production causes natural gas prices to hit record low levels. So far this year, natural gas has performed the worst among commodities, posting declines in both January and […]
Discover Financial seen advancing with industry tailwind
By Katherine Hyunjung Lee Analysts are optimistic about growth prospects for Discover Financial Services in 2017 as the company continues to post stronger than expected loan growth. The banking and payment services company based in Riverwoods, Ill., continues to expand its national footprint while riding on the growth tailwind of the credit card business. Discover […]
Controlling Asian carp remains a challenge
By Jiefei Liu Current barriers against Asian carp temporarily protect the Great Lakes, but fighting the invasive fish remains a challenge. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder announced Jan.17 a $1 million challenge for innovative solutions to the voracious carp. The challenge will be launched officially in mid-summer 2017, said Joanne Foreman, coordinator of Invasive Species Program […]
Designer toy shop adjusts to changing market
By Jiefei Liu “Things come in and out of style,” said Whitney Kerr, president of Rotofugi Inc., a designer toy shop in Lincoln Park. The store features imported artsy toys from around the globe, ranging from $500 vinyl toys by Otto Bjornik to $4 Pokemon figure strap capsules. A gallery space is now occupied by […]
Palette & Chisel serves art community for 120 years
by Jingnan Huo Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts was started in 1895 by a group of Art Institute night students who needed a place to paint during the day. Each Sunday, the students would hire a model they could draw or paint in natural daylight. In 1921, the artists bought a run-down Italian […]
Logan Square toy store thrives despite retail headwinds
By Katherine Hyunjung Lee In a gentrifying neighborhood increasingly attractive to families and children, boutique toy store Play is thriving in an otherwise struggling toy retail industry. The store, owned by toy business consultant Ann Kienzle, has been growing its reputation as a specialty store since first opening on West Logan Boulevard seven years ago. […]
Jobless claims dip in latest sign of job market improvement
By Karen Lentz Initial unemployment insurance claims for the week ended March 11 trickled down to an advance figure of 241,000, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week’s seasonally adjusted unrevised level of 243,000, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday. The numbers remain below pre-recession levels, pointing to continued gains for the economy. […]
