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Thursday, July 22, 2021Illinois Export News
News for Illinois Exporters Illinois Trade Events and Opportunities Below is a list of upcoming international trade events, which our office is organizing or co-sponsoring/supporting. We hope that you will be able to join us for at least one of them. Connect with us on social media @USCommercialSvc for our latest updates and resources. If you have any questions or would like to share helpful resources, please connect with us. We look forward to working with you
Tuesday, July 20, 2021News from Seigle's Cabinet Center
Video: 60-Year-Old Kitchen Gets a New Life in a Total Transformation When we took this kitchen from its mid-century state to its bare walls, we were happy to say good riddance. Then the total transformation left this Western Springs couple thrilled! Watch Video Life Hack: The Brilliant One-Stop Way to Reorganize Your Kitchen What if you rethought the way you organize your kitchen to cut down on unnecessary
Tuesday, July 20, 2021Illinois Department of Labor Reminds Employers to Prominently Display Safety and Health Posters
Illinois Department of Labor Reminds Employers to Prominently Display Safety and Health Posters Information to remind workers of their rights and protections on the job SPRINGFIELD – There are specific rights afforded to employees to protect them on the job and to maintain a safe and healthy workplace. To notify workers of those rights, all public sector employers are required to prominently post the Illinois Department of Labor’s Job Safety and Health poster. “Our primary goal is keeping job sites safe
Monday, July 19, 2021Global Customers are Waiting for Your Business
Global Customers are Waiting for YouExporting might seem like reaching for the moon with customers thousands of miles away or speaking another language. In reality, they are closer than you think, and luckily, you have your own Mission Control to provide guidance as you move along your export journey. With 95% of the world's consumers and two-thirds of all purchasing power are located outside the United States, if you are not exporting then you’re reaching just a small share of potential customers. Go
Friday, July 16, 2021New Business Applications Decline, Jobless Claims Hit New Low, Mixed Signals in Factory Activity
New Business Applications Decline, Jobless Claims Hit New Low, Mixed Signals in Factory ActivityWhat You Need To Know To Start Your Day Business applications fell in June, notably in retail trade, but the level is still the highest on record. (Getty Images) By Richard Lawson CoStar News New Business Applications Decline Total new business applications fell in June but it still remained the best June on record, according to new data from the Commerce Department. That’s still a potential good sign for
Friday, July 16, 2021Articles of Interest
Mark Downey/Corbis/Getty ImagesREAL ESTATE>CRE WIRE 10 Must Reads for the CRE Industry Today (July 16, 2021) The movement of white collar professionals back to major gateway cities is upending predictions from earlier in the pandemic, according to multiple publications. CEO preferences are what’s driving the way companies are returning to the office in many cases, reports Reuters. These are among today’s must reads from around the commercial real estate industry. WMRE StaffTech Workers Swore Off
Friday, July 16, 2021Elgin Police Department transparency website receives special achievement award
For immediate release, July 16, 2021Elgin Police Department transparency website receives special achievement award ESRI recognizes Elgin Police Department transparency website with a 2021 Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) awardElgin, IL - The Elgin Police Department (EPD) is a recipient of a 2021 Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) Award for its transparency website. This prestigious award is given to user
Thursday, July 15, 2021Hotel Rates Surge, Delta Air Lines Turns a Profit, Poll Shows COVID Fears Rising
Hotel Rates Surge, Delta Air Lines Turns a Profit, Poll Shows COVID Fears RisingWhat You Need To Know To Start Your Day Hotel rates surge as summer leisure travel remains high. (Getty Images) By Richard Lawson CoStar News Hotel Rates Surge U.S. hotel room rates and revenue soared above 2019 levels on July Fourth, with one key measure rising to a record high. Hotel occupancy ticked up last week to 67.2% from 65.4% the previous week, according to data from hotel industry research firm STR, which is
Thursday, July 15, 2021As Temperatures Rise, Commercial Greenhouses Attract Institutional Dollars
As Temperatures Rise, Commercial Greenhouses Attract Institutional DollarsEquilibrium Capital Raises $1 Billion for New Greenhouse Investment Fund Revol Greens is expanding its indoor lettuce-growing to Temple, Texas, with financing from Equlibrium Capital. (Revol Greens) By Mark Heschmeyer CoStar News As rising heat across the United States disrupts the growing of leafy green vegetables, more investors are putting up money to help develop farming inside specialized buildings with controlled
Thursday, July 15, 2021Illinois Department of Revenue Issues Automatic Tax Refunds to Thousands of Unemployment Benefit Recipients
Illinois Department of Revenue Issues Automatic Tax Refunds to Thousands of Unemployment Benefit Recipients Illinois one of few states to auto adjust refunds for eligible taxpayers resulting in a savings of close to $1.5 million Chicago — Governor Pritzker announced today that the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) has issued automatic refunds to close to 350,000 eligible taxpayers who electronically filed their 2020 Illinois Individual Income Tax Returns prior to a newly enacted federal unemployment
Thursday, July 15, 2021Statewide Payroll Jobs Up, Small Increase in Unemployment Rate Up in June
Statewide Payroll Jobs Up, Small Increase in Unemployment Rate Up in JuneSPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate rose +0.1 percentage point to 7.2 percent, while nonfarm payrolls increased +12,500 in June, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. The May monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from -7,900 to +4,300 jobs. The May preliminary
Wednesday, July 14, 2021US Claims Top Spot on Foreign Investors' List for Commercial Real Estate in 2021
US Claims Top Spot on Foreign Investors' List for Commercial Real Estate in 2021Top US Cities for Planned Spending Include Austin, Texas; Boston; and Dallas By Rohit Diwadkar CoStar News The pandemic led to shifts in space usage among different property types, prompting speculation last year that U.S. commercial real estate might become less attractive to foreign investors. But the latest survey underwritten by Holland Partner Group for the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate, known as
Wednesday, July 14, 2021Questions Raised Over Restaurant Fund Recipients, Reopenings Lift Pepsi's Earnings, US Coronavirus C
Questions Raised Over Restaurant Fund Recipients, Reopenings Lift Pepsi's Earnings, US Coronavirus Cases SpikeWhat You Need To Know To Start Your Day Questions arise whether hotels with restaurants should have been eligible for money from the Restaurant Relief Fund. (Getty Images) By Richard Lawson CoStar News Questions Raised Over Restaurant Fund Recipients Both details and debates are emerging over the businesses that received federal funds intended to help restaurants weather the pandemic. The
Wednesday, July 14, 2021Colony Display acquires Braeside Displays in Antioch
Colony Display acquires Braeside Displays in Antioch ELGIN — Colony Display LLC, an Elgin-based designer, manufacturer and installer of highly customized fixtures, exhibits and displays, Tuesday announced the acquisition of Braeside Displays in Antioch. Braeside Displays is a leading independent point-of-purchase display manufacturer. The transaction was completed in partnership with Braeside’s management, the two companies said. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Founded in 1975, Braeside
Tuesday, July 13, 2021New Home Listings Increase, Office Use Drops, Consumer Inflation Expectations Rise
New Home Listings Increase, Office Use Drops, Consumer Inflation Expectations RiseWhat You Need To Know To Start Your Day New home listings increased in the four-week period that ended July 4 in a move that could give potential homebuyers more options. (Pexels) By Richard Lawson CoStar News New Home Listings Increase Potential homebuyers may be starting to see some relief. Residential real estate firm Redfin reported that the number of new listings of homes increased 4% in the four weeks that ended
Tuesday, July 13, 2021Payrolls Continue To Recover but the Labor Market Is Still Hurting
Payrolls Continue To Recover but the Labor Market Is Still Hurting Mixed messages about business and labor market conditions have been delivered in a series of employment-related reports in the past few weeks. Payroll jobs continue to rise, but many people are still out of work even as more and more of the country reopens. Continued turmoil in the labor market could lead to postponed commercial real estate decisions from businesses looking to lease space, especially those in the accommodation and food
Tuesday, July 13, 2021Middleby Acquires Premium Residential Appliance Brand Novy
Middleby Acquires Premium Residential Appliance Brand NovyJul. 12, 2021The Middleby Corporation (NASDAQ: MIDD) today announced the acquisition of Novy, a leading manufacturer of premium residential ventilation hoods and cooktops based in Belgium, with sales of approximately $90 million USD annually and EBITDA margins in excess of 20%. The Middleby Corporation (NASDAQ: MIDD) today announced the acquisition of Novy, a leading manufacturer of premium residential ventilation hoods and cooktops based in
Monday, July 12, 2021Half of U.S. Hospitality Workers Won’t Return in Job Crunch
Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesPROPERTY TYPES>LODGING & HOTEL Half of U.S. Hospitality Workers Won’t Return in Job Crunch A survey of 13,000 job seekers found former hospitality employees wanted high pay, a less physically demanding workplace and better benefits. Bloomberg No pay increase or incentive would make these workers return to their previous workplace, according to a poll of about 13,000 job seekers during the second quarter from Joblist, an employment-search engine. These former
Monday, July 12, 2021Biden Pushes Economic Competition, Shipping Costs Jump, Levi’s Expands Distribution, Global Tax Acco
Biden Pushes Economic Competition, Shipping Costs Jump, Levi’s Expands Distribution, Global Tax Accord ReachedWhat You Need To Know To Start Your Day President Biden signed a sweeping executive order that directs federal agencies to encourage competition in the U.S. economy. (Getty Images) By Richard Lawson CoStar News Biden Pushes Competition in Economic President Biden signed a sweeping directive that aims to foster greater competition in the U.S. economy. Biden’s executive order contains 72
Monday, July 12, 2021MKD ELECTRIC – EXPANDS CAPABILITIES THROUGH ACQUISITION OF POWERCOR SERVICES
MKD ELECTRIC – EXPANDS CAPABILITIES THROUGH ACQUISITION OF POWERCOR SERVICES MKD continues organizational growth through acquisition of leading power design and control systems integrator MKD Electric, along with their partners Hastings Equity Group, are excited to announce the acquisition of Powercor Services. Powercor, a power design and control systems integrator, enables MKD Electric to expand their capability offering to clients across the nation, and allow them to continue to solidify their
Monday, July 12, 2021FVO Welcomes Back Rheumatologist
Fox Valley Orthopedics is pleased to welcome back Dr. Raheem Nazeer to their team of physicians. Dr. Nazeer is a board-certified rheumatologist who manages and treats rheumatic diseases. He is currently accepting new patients at Fox Valley Orthopedics’ Barrington, Elgin and Geneva locations.Dr. Nazeer received his Doctor of Medicine from Rush Medical College, Chicago, and completed his residency at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, Chicago. He is a Fellow at the American College of
Friday, July 09, 2021Hotel Occupancy Slips, Biden Looks at Shipping Prices, New Jobless Claims Tick Up
Hotel Occupancy Slips, Biden Looks at Shipping Prices, New Jobless Claims Tick UpWhat You Need to Know to Start Your Day Hotel occupancy dropped last week even though the number of travelers increased heading into the July Fourth weekend. (Getty Images) By Richard Lawson CoStar NewsJuly 8, 2021 | 8:15 P.M.Hotel Occupancy Slips Many travelers hit the road and the air leading up to the Fourth of July, but it didn’t push U.S. hotel occupancy higher. Instead, occupancy fell back, suggesting that a
Friday, July 09, 2021Longtime Single-Family Investor Signals Growing Shift to Planned Rental Neighborhoods
Longtime Single-Family Investor Signals Growing Shift to Planned Rental NeighborhoodsGTIS Partners Sells Off Portfolio of Single-Family Homes Acquired After Great Recession In recent years, single-family rental homes have emerged as an attractive housing option for tenants. (Getty Images) By Cara Smith-Tenta CoStar News Investment firm GTIS Partners has spent the past decade in the wake of the Great Recession accumulating a portfolio of individual single-family rental homes. Now it's selling off
Friday, July 09, 2021Tax & Import Duty Strategies for U.S. Exporters
Illinois Trade Events and Opportunities Below is a list of upcoming international trade events, which our office is organizing or co-sponsoring/supporting. We hope that you will be able to join us for at least one of them. Connect with us on social media @USCommercialSvc for our latest updates and resources. If you have any questions or would like to share helpful resources, please connect with us. We look forward to working with you soon! Featured Event: Tax &
Friday, July 09, 2021IDPH Adopts CDC COVID_19 Prevention School Guidance
Illinois Department of Public Health Adopts CDC COVID-19 Prevention School Guidance Guidance emphasizes the COVID-19 prevention strategies most important for in-person learning SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is fully adopting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in Kindergarten (K)-12 Schools released today. “Our goal is to protect the health of students, teachers, and staff so that in-person learning can resume as
Thursday, July 08, 2021Encore Repair Services Signs Industrial Lease in Elgin
Encore Repair Services Signs Industrial Lease in Elgin, IllinoisTakes Roughly 105,000 Square Feet in Northwest Corporate Park 2450-2520 Northwest Parkway in Elgin, Illinois. (CoStar) CoSTAT Encore Repair Services has signed a lease in Elgin, Illinois, at 2450-2520 Northwest Parkway. The company agreed to take 105,146 square feet of the 250,828-square-foot industrial building in the third quarter of 2021. The property was built in 1999 as part of the Northwest Corporate Park, a 375-acre park located at
Thursday, July 08, 2021What’s actually happening with steel and lumber prices?
What’s actually happening with steel and lumber prices?AJ LATRACE JULY 6, 2021Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare via emailPHOTO BY IPEK AYDOGDU VIA UNSPLASH Anyone involved in the real estate world has heard about the dramatic uptick in pricing on raw construction materials in the last year. With lumber worth its weight in gold, there had actually been recent reports of thefts at job sites as criminals look to cash in on the extraordinary prices in recent months. However, there has
Thursday, July 08, 2021Illinois' Second Ratings Upgrade
Gov. Pritzker Hails Illinois’ Second Ratings Upgrade in Recent Days and the First in Two Decades from S&P Global Ratings S&P Cites “Demonstrated Operational Controls” in Upgrading State’s General Obligation Bonds, Met Pier Bonds and Build Illinois Bonds Second Upgrade Follows Moody’s Upgrade and Fitch’s Improved Outlook to Positive SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker hailed the state’s improved bond rating from S&P Global Ratings on Thursday, the second such rating upgrade in recent days. The
Wednesday, July 07, 2021Apartment Developers See Opportunity in Market Discount on Closed Hotels
Apartment Developers See Opportunity in Market Discount on Closed HotelsLockwood Plans to Turn Some Hotels Into Multifamily Properties Lockwood Development Partners bought this hotel in Austin, Texas, along with others with plans to convert some into multifamily properties. (CoStar) By Cara Smith-Tenta CoStar News A new deal by Lockwood Development Partners represents more than the purchase of nine hotels with plans to transform some of the properties into apartments. It accelerates an emerging
Wednesday, July 07, 2021A Mid-Year Update on the Single-Family Housing Market
A Mid-Year Update on the Single-Family Housing Market Sky-rocketing home prices surprised just about everyone in the first half of 2021. Last week’s S&P Case Shiller index provides the most recent evidence, with the national index rising 14.6% year over year in April. The index measures comparable sales over the trailing three-month period to adjust for differences in the quality of homes sold in each period. The April reading marked a record high in the level of the index and a 30-year high in
Wednesday, July 07, 2021THE PROPHET Feature Film to Screen at First UMC Elgin
LOCAL FEATURE FILM TO SCREEN AT FIRST UMC ELGIN Mark Iverson, the writer, and director of the movie "For Prophet", is a longtime member of Our Saviour's United Methodist Church in Schaumburg and has known Elgin District Superintendent Rev. Murph-Heath most of his life. Filming took place at Our Saviour's and First UMC in Elgin, as well as at several locations throughout Elgin. The screening will take place in Rogers Hall on the lower level of First UMC Elgin, 216 E. Highland Ave., Elgin. No tickets
Wednesday, July 07, 2021EIGERLab News for July
July 1, 2021 EIGERlab serves the region with leading edge business and engineering support services targeting physical and digital product-based initiatives. Whether you're a new or existing entrepreneur, inventor, start-up or an existing company interested in innovation, EIGERlab is a regional resource for commercialization and
Wednesday, July 07, 2021Slupik and Associates, Ltd. joins PKF Mueller
SLUPIK AND ASSOCIATES, LTD. JOINS PKF MUELLER Mueller & Co., LLP dba PKF Mueller, a Chicago area-based Certified Public Accounting and Business Advisory firm, has announced today that they have acquired Slupik and Associates, LTD., a Naperville, IL-based Certified Public Accounting and wealth management firm, effective July 1, 2021. Slupik and Associates staff will be operating under the PKF Mueller name and will continue to serve clients from their Naperville location. “Slupik and Associates is a highly
Wednesday, July 07, 2021CASA Kane County Seeking Volunteers
CASA Kane County, a local nonprofit that advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court, has seen a dramatic increase in cases since the pandemic. The rise has been so great that for the first time in the organization's history, CASA does not have enough volunteers to serve every foster child in the system. CASA is inviting individuals who might be interested in becoming a CASA volunteer to attend a virtual information session to learn more about the role. The victims CASA
Tuesday, July 06, 2021Bezos Is No Longer Amazon CEO, Rest of Florida Tower Razed, Jobs Report Shows Jump
Bezos Is No Longer Amazon CEO, Rest of Florida Tower Razed, Jobs Report Shows JumpWhat You Need To Know To Start Your Day Amazon founder Jeff Bezos officially shifted from CEO to executive chairman. (Getty Images) By Richard Lawson CoStar News Bezos Officially No Longer Amazon CEO Amazon founder Jeff Bezos officially handed off his chief executive officer duties on Monday to Andy Jassy, who has been with the Seattle-based retailer since 1997. Bezos becomes executive chairman and will focus on new
Tuesday, July 06, 2021State of Illinois Department of Commerce
State of Illinois Announces $9 Million Investment in Community Navigator Program to Accelerate Small Business Recovery With an eye toward ensuring billions of dollars in State and Federal funds reach into the communities hardest hit by the pandemic. Earlier today, Governor Pritzker joined U.S. SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, DCEO and federal, state and city leaders to announce a $9
Friday, July 02, 2021Hands-On Retail Makes a Comeback as Pinstripes Rolls Toward Coast-to-Coast Expansion
Hands-On Retail Makes a Comeback as Pinstripes Rolls Toward Coast-to-Coast ExpansionDining and Bowling Chain Opens at Unibail Malls in New Jersey and California The Pinstripes chain said it offers three “B’s” as a bistro with bowling and bocce. (Pinstripes) By Linda Moss CoStar News As the nation becomes vaccinated and social distancing eases, hands-on retail is making a comeback, with restaurant-entertainment chain Pinstripes set to open at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield malls in New Jersey and
Friday, July 02, 2021Larger US Markets Are Recovering Slower Than Small Cities, Property Sale Analysis Shows
Larger US Markets Are Recovering Slower Than Small Cities, Property Sale Analysis ShowsGap Widens Between High-Dollar, Lower-Priced Transactions The number of paired transactions is up 36% over the first five months of last year with smaller, lower-priced property sales gaining the most in value. (Getty Images) By Mark Heschmeyer CoStar News As U.S. real estate markets recover from the pandemic’s fallout, commercial property prices between higher- and lower-dollar deals started to diverge in May,
Friday, July 02, 2021Elgin Symphony Orchestra Announces 2021-22 Season
Elgin Symphony Orchestra Announces 2021-2022 Season July 1, 2021 The Elgin Symphony Orchestra is excited to announce the return of concerts to the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin, the Raue Center in Crystal Lake and the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie as the Symphony reveals its 2021-22 season. Subscription sales and renewals begin July 6, 2021 online at www.ElginSymphony.org, or by phone at 847-888-4000 or in person at the ESO box office, 20 S. Grove St., Elgin, Ill, between 10
Friday, July 02, 2021More Tweaks to the IL Equal Pay Act
March 2021 Amendments (Recap) As outlined in our March 23, 2021 blog article, Will Employers Have to Give 1% of their Total Gross Profits to the State of Illinois? Gov. Pritzker Signs into Law Unprecedented Changes to IL Equal Pay and Corporate Laws, the March amendments to the Act require businesses with 100 or more employees to obtain certification of compliance with the Equal Pay Act from the IL Department of Labor (IDOL). The certification process requires employers to submit an application that
Friday, July 02, 2021Hopp Accounting July News - Curtailing Cryptocurrency Tax Surprises
Hopp Accounting & TaxYou are subscribed as cgieske@elginchamber.comJuly 2021 News Update from www.hoppcpa.comJuly 2021 Update - Curtailing Cryptocurrency Tax Surprises & A Tax Quirk of Being a Business PartnerCurtailing Cryptocurrency Tax SurprisesAs investing in Bitcoin, Dogecoin and other cryptocurrencies becomes increasingly popular, investors need to understand the potential tax ramifications. Unlike traditional currency, the IRS views cryptocurrency as property for federal income tax purposes and even
Friday, July 02, 2021U-46 to provide school supplies to PreK and elementary students
School District U-46 will provide school supplies to PreK and elementary students June 29, 2021 Dear Parents and Guardians of U-46 Elementary Students, Before you start back-to-school shopping, we wanted to remind you that School District U-46 will provide all required school supplies for students in PreK through 6th grade for the 2021-22 school year. We hope this initiative will help relieve some of the financial burden on families as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Those supplies will be
Thursday, July 01, 2021Hotel Occupancy Has Another Best Week, Lumber Prices Plummet, Jobs Recovery Good But Slower
Hotel Occupancy Has Another Best Week, Lumber Prices Plummet, Jobs Recovery Good But SlowerWhat You Need To Know To Start Your Day The average occupancy of U.S. hotels increased for another week. (Getty Images) By Richard Lawson CoStar News Hotel Occupancy Has Another Best Week U.S. hotel occupancy rose to its best week since October 2019, a strong indicator that the industry is fast approaching normalcy. Average occupancy hit nearly 70% for the week ended June 26, nearly two percentage points
Thursday, July 01, 2021CommercialEdge report: Biggest U.S. office markets showing signs of life
CommercialEdge report: Biggest U.S. office markets showing signs of lifeDAN RAFTERShare on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare via emailIMAGE COURTESY OF COMMERCIALEDGE. Is the U.S. office market entering recovery mode as the country emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic? The latest research from CommercialEdge suggests that this might be the case, even if the sector’s recovery is still in its earliest stages. According to CommercialEdge’s June 2021 National Office Report, asking office rents
Thursday, July 01, 2021Medical Tenants’ Appetites for Retail Space Remains Robust
Grossinger/ShutterstockREAL ESTATE>INVESTMENT STRATEGIES Medical Tenants’ Appetites for Retail Space Remains Robust Shopping centers continue to appeal to medical clinics seeking to increase market exposure and accessibility. Dan Kreilkamp “We’ve seen an uptick in growth of these types of tenancies as consumers continue to seek convenient, on-demand care,” says Alanna Loeffler, business development director of Americas retail services with real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield. Loeffler
Thursday, July 01, 2021Ecker Center News for July
Ecker News Read about our news and latest updates. Summer is finally here! One of the many benefits of summer is the positive effect that it has on many people's mental health. The sun gives us more vitamin D, which raises energy levels and simply makes us feel happier. Studies show that spending time outside is also a healthy way to relieve stress. So plan a walk and get some fresh air after a long day and give your mental health a positive boost! Scroll down to the
Thursday, July 01, 2021Hanover Township July News
July 2021 eNewsletter Register for Backpacks!Hanover Township's Annual Backpack Distribution will take place Monday, August 2 through Wednesday, August 11 for Township residents. Backpack Distribution will take place at the Astor Avenue Community Center (7431 Astor Avenue, Hanover Park). Backpacks available while supplies last.Backpacks filled with school supplies will be offered to students in grades K - 8.Please complete the form below to register for the
Thursday, July 01, 2021Illinois Ranks#1 in Site Selection Magazine's Annual Sustainability Rankings
ILLINOIS RANKS #1 IN SITE SELECTION MAGAZINE’S ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY RANKINGSState tops the nation as most sustainable location for site selection SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois tops the nation in Site Selection magazine’s annual ranking of the top locations for sustainable development, released today. The state moves up from the third spot in the 2021 report, which combines standard green metrics such as LEED-certified buildings, renewable energy use and green building incentives with measures such as the
Wednesday, June 30, 2021Centro Connections for July
Centro ConnectionsA monthly update from Centro - June 2021 Upcoming Events July 5 - Closed for Independence Day Mondays - Taking Control of Your Diabetes - A Virtual SeminarTuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays - Emergency Food Pantry Change of Carpentersville Location A new address for our satellite
Wednesday, June 30, 2021Elgin Symphony Orchestra announces new Executive Director The Elgin Symphony Orchestra (ESO) welcomes Marc Thayer as executive director effective July 1. He was selected following a nationwide search
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra (ESO) welcomes Marc Thayer as executive director effective July 1. He was selected following a nationwide search involving dozens of candidates. Thayer comes from the Symphony New Hampshire, where he has led the organization since 2016. An accomplished violinist, he has performed and taught around the world in his previous roles with the Association of American Voices, the American Music Abroad Program for the United States Department of State, and the Whim Estate Historical
Tuesday, June 29, 2021JLL Expects Retail Property Surge, Fueled by US Economy With 'Strongest Growth in a Generation'
JLL Expects Retail Property Surge, Fueled by US Economy With 'Strongest Growth in a Generation'Executives Cite Historically Low Interest Rates, Strong Fiscal Stimulus and Reopening of Economy's Supply Side Brick-and-mortar retail locations have become distribution sites for merchandise ordered online. (Getty Images) By Linda Moss CoStar News The latest forecast for the U.S. retail property market over the next few years is looking bullish, with the industry buoyed by a strong and fast-growing
Tuesday, June 29, 20217-Eleven To Sell Nearly 300 Retail Gas Stations to Comply with Regulators
7-Eleven To Sell Nearly 300 Retail Gas Stations to Comply with RegulatorsThree Buyers Scoop Up Locations Spread Across 20 States 7-Eleven is shedding 293 convenience stores and gas stations but still owns thousands of others. (Getty Images) By Marissa Luck CoStar News Convenience store giant 7-Eleven is selling 293 retail gas stations across 20 states after regulators said the company violated antitrust laws in buying Marathon Petroleum’s Speedway division for $21 billion, a deal that came as the
Tuesday, June 29, 2021Consumer Spending Fell Flat
Consumer Spending Fell Flat in May After Robust Spring Consumer spending in the United States stayed flat in May, according to data released by the Commerce Department on Friday. But the details underlying the report point to a strong summer season for retailers, the travel industry and entertainment venues, as consumers pivot away from spending on furniture and home office equipment and toward restaurant meals and vacations. With vaccination rates rising and COVID-related restrictions
Tuesday, June 29, 2021Local business leader Yaneth Medina promoted to president of Elgin State Bank
Elgin State Bank, part of the Wintrust Community Banks family, announced the promotion of Yaneth Medina to president. In this expanded role, she is responsible for overseeing budget planning, loan growth, and maximizing revenue in the Elgin market area for the bank’s parent charter, St. Charles Bank & Trust Company, N.A. “Having this leadership role at this level is quite an honor,” Medina said. “My passion has always been to help others, whether personally or professionally. I’m excited to lead
Monday, June 28, 2021New Broadband Community Partners; Funding Opportunities Still Available!
New Broadband Community Partners; Funding Opportunities Still Available! Illinois Connected Communities – Second Cohort AnnouncedIn another step in Governor Pritzker’s plan to close the digital divide, this week the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Office of Broadband joined the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society to announce the 2nd cohort of the Illinois Connected Communities program. Created to assist some of the most underserved areas of the state with
Monday, June 28, 2021National Real Estate News
Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesREAL ESTATE>CRE WIRE 11 Must Reads for the CRE Industry Today A large percentage of restaurants won’t be able to pay their June rent, reports Restaurant Dive. A Forbes Real Estate Council article argues that higher inflation will drive more money into property investments. These are among today’s must reads from around the commercial real estate industry. WMRE Staff Biden Appoints New FHFA Director “The White House didn't waste any time after a Supreme Court ruling
Monday, June 28, 2021Increase to Chicago Minimum Wage
July 1, 2021 Increase to Chicago Minimum Wage….But No Change to Cook County Minimum Wage Despite Written Notices By Michael Wong and Sara Zorich – SmithAmundsen LLC – www.salawus.com It’s that time of year (again) for increases in minimum wage. However, this year is slightly different! In spite of the Cook County written notices that some employers may have received, the Cook County Minimum Wage for non-tipped employees is NOT increasing, as the unemployment rate for Cook County during the prior year
Monday, June 28, 2021Large Illinois Businesses to Report Equal Pay Information Beginning Next Year
Pritzker Administration Announces Large Illinois Businesses to Report Equal Pay Information Beginning Next Year Legislation Will Affect Employers with 100 or more Employees SPRINGFIELD – Following Governor Pritzker’s signature of SB1847, businesses with 100 or more employees will be required to provide the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) with details about its workers and their pay beginning in 2022. The forthcoming change will require qualifying, private employers to submit information in line with
Friday, June 25, 2021Upcoming Trade Opportunities
Illinois Trade Events and Opportunities Below is a list of upcoming international trade events, which our office is organizing or co-sponsoring/supporting. We hope that you will be able to join us for at least one of them. Connect with us on social media @USCommercialSvc for our latest updates and resources. If you have any questions or would like to share helpful resources, please connect with us. We look forward to working with you soon! How to qualify your
Friday, June 25, 2021Many Struggle to Pay Rent
Many Still Struggle To Pay RentSurvey Finds at Least 25% Unsure They Can Pay on Time By Christine Cooper and Rohit Diwadkar CoStar Analytics Results from the most recent phase of the Census Bureau’s "Household Pulse Survey" are being released. This survey began in April 2020 with the purpose of measuring how the pandemic is impacting households in terms of childcare, employment, health, spending and more. Here we show recent results of one question asked in the survey: “How confident are you that your
Friday, June 25, 2021Henkel invests in London-based startup
Henkel Adhesive Technologies, a Germany-based company with a manufacturing facility and corporate offices in Elgin, said it is investing in ioTech, a London-based startup with an research and development footprint in Israel. Founded in 2016, ioTech has developed a disruptive Continuous Laser Assisted Deposition, or CLAD, technology that enables the further miniaturization of a variety of applications in the electronics industry. With the investment, Henkel aims to drive synergies between its customer
Thursday, June 24, 2021Return-to-Office Momentum Slows Nation's Record Sublease Surge
Return-to-Office Momentum Slows Nation's Record Sublease SurgeOffice Tenants Grappling With New Workplace Setups Shift Space Needs The future of sublet availabilities in cities such as San Francisco is up in the air as companies gradually make their way back to their offices. (Getty Images) By Katie Burke CoStar News Fashion subscription service Rent The Runway joined a wave of companies trying to sublease unused offices last year in the largest amount of sublets ever listed in the nation at one
Thursday, June 24, 2021When It Comes to Hotel Groups, Everybody's Working for the Weekend
When It Comes to Hotel Groups, Everybody's Working for the WeekendIn Reversal of Pre-Pandemic Trends, Weekend Group Demand Drives Hotel Recovery By Jan Freitag CoStar Analytics A full recovery of the U.S. hotel sector relies on the return of three sources of room demand: leisure travelers, corporate transient and large industry and private groups. Group demand declined sharply in 2020 when travelers stayed away from large indoor gatherings, as weddings were postponed and association meetings were
Thursday, June 24, 2021MUELLER CPA TO BE REBRANDED AS PKF MUELLER
Mueller & Co., LLP (Mueller CPA) a Chicago area based Certified Public Accounting and Business Advisory firm has announced today that the company will begin operating under a new name and will be known as PKF Mueller effective July 1, 2021. This rebranding strategy reflects both the evolution of the company as well as its vision for the future. CEO/President, David J. Nissen stated, “Al Mueller founded this firm over 53 years ago and as we have grown, we have stayed true to our core purpose of enhancing
Wednesday, May 26, 2021What Employers Need to Know About the American Rescue Plan Act
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), also referred to as the COVID-19 Stimulus Package, is commonly known for providing a third round of stimulus payments to eligible adults. However, the American Rescue Plan Act also has implications for employers and their employees regarding workforce management and the implementation of COVID-19 workplace policies and procedures. As your HR experts, we’ve reviewed the law and what it means for you, your business, and your employees. Here’s our breakdown of the key
Wednesday, May 12, 2021Seeing blue: New EV charging station signs to appear soon along Illinois interstates
Seeing blue: New EV charging station signs to appear soon along Illinois interstates Seven corridors will have the signs directing travelers to alternative fuel locations SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that new signs will start appearing along interstate corridors, guiding motorists to charging stations for electric vehicles. The signs are part of a national effort to promote alternative fuels that will also spark economic activity in Illinois communities and
Tuesday, April 20, 2021Sanfilippo Helps Prepare Summit Students for the Workforce
COVID restrictions prevented Summit School’s students from interning onsite at John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. (JBSS) this school year. It did not, however, prevent the company from continuing its partnership to help prepare students for the world of employment. LaSalle Crosby, an HR Generalist in JBSS’ corporate office, teamed up with Summit School to provide a virtual, four-week intensive employment preparation seminar series for Summit's seniors. Crosby, who is also a part-time adjunct professor at
Tuesday, February 16, 2021Illinois Set to Enact New Law Limiting Criminal Convictions in Employment Decisions
Illinois has long limited employers from considering the criminal history of an applicant or employee in making employment decisions. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits employers from considering an employee’s arrest history, for example. In recent years, Illinois’ “Ban the Box” law disallows employers from asking about criminal convictions prior to a job offer or before a candidate is selected for an interview and, therefore, assumed to be otherwise qualified for the position in question. Now,
Wednesday, January 20, 2021DOL Clarifies that Not All Travel Time is Compensable in the Era of Telework
By Carlos Arévalo – SmithAmundsen – www.salawus.com On the last day of 2020, the US Department of Labor (DOL) issued an opinion letter impacting employers using telework arrangements in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. While a vaccine is now rolling out and we will hopefully get the pandemic under control in 2021, this opinion letter provides guidance to employers that have had to institute remote and hybrid work policies and/or arrangements with their workforce. Specifically, the opinion letter
Monday, January 18, 2021Telemedicine Appointments Can Be Used To Establish Serious Health Conditions Under the FMLA
Recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) reiterates that the DOL will allow telemedicine visits—generally speaking, health care appointments held via video conference—to qualify as in-person visits to a health care provider under certain circumstances. As our readers know, the FMLA provides certain employees up to 12 workweeks of leave for, among other things, a “serious health condition.” An employee can show the existence of a serious health condition by several methods that include
