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. […]
Video: Courage in Little Village
By Jiayan Jenny Shi Elizeth Arguelles, 21, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, participated in the Señorita México Illinois (Miss Mexico Illinois) beauty pageant March 4 to win a scholarship for her transition to a four-year university. Although Arguelles didn’t win the crown and the scholarship, she got the Miss Sympathy award. After the pageant, Arguelles […]
Video: Quest for LGBTI respect in South Africa
By Jiayan Jenny Shi Matshidiso Mofokeng is a lesbian feminist and soccer player in South Africa. Living in a patriarchal society, Mofokeng has experienced discrimination because of her sexuality. Now she is a member of Chosen FEW, a lesbian soccer team that works in sports to end homophobia and other forms of discrimination. Photo at […]
A prescient entrepreneur rides the solar-power wave
By Urvashi Verma The anticipated ending of the 30 percent Investment Tax Credit for solar power installations caused a record-breaking boom in the solar industry last year. Now that the credit has been extended until 2021 sales are expected to surge again as both electric utilities and consumers take advantage of the federal incentive before […]
The Remedy brings smiles to ‘L’ riders at the Lake Stop
By Manasi Kaushik The Remedy, a Chicago-based musical group from the South Side, performs at the Red Line’s ‘L’ stop to bring hope, happiness and joy to the lives of people.