The Biz Week That Was: Illinois towns enact grocery tax, Stellantis to reopen plant, and recession warning signs

More than half of Illinois communities have enacted a local grocery tax

Illinois will stop levying a statewide grocery tax on Jan. 1, but millions of people throughout the state will continue paying it locally. Data compiled by the Illinois Municipal League released Monday shows that 656 municipalities — a little more than half of the state’s municipalities — have passed an ordinance establishing their own grocery tax. Those communities are home to 7.2 million people, or 56.5% of the state’s population.

Scent maker Belle Aire Creations expanding in Round Lake Park

You may not have heard of the company, but fragrances and flavors made by Belle Aire Creations are used in a multitude of familiar products. And responding to continued growth, the Libertyville-based global scent manufacturer is expanding operations across the street from its production facility in Round Lake Park.

Row homes development spurs debate on Naperville’s downtown periphery

A proposed residential development that would reshape the northern edge of downtown Naperville with high-end row homes has spurred some debate about the look, feel and evolution of the area. M/I Homes aims to build 11 units at the northwest corner of Main Street and Benton Avenue between the downtown core and nearby neighborhoods.

Stellantis to reopen Belvidere plant, create 3,300 new jobs

Stellantis has announced a $613 million capital investment in its Belvidere plant, which will create 3,300 jobs. The investment will support two new vehicle lines, including the Jeep Compass and the Jeep Cherokee. ​ ​

Deal reached for Yard House in Rosemont

Rosemont officials on Wednesday agreed to a deal with developer S/Point Ventures and national restaurant operator Darden Restaurants to get shovels in the ground for a Yard House bar/restaurant. Construction is set to begin Nov. 3 on underground foundation work for the 9,000-square-foot eatery.

Kolachi Tandoori Grill moving to larger site in Schaumburg

After nearly four years at one location in Schaumburg, the restaurant Kolachi Tandoori Grill has received village permission to move to another site more than twice its current size to serve its popular South Asian cuisine to an expanding customer base.

Recession warning signs to watch: Goodbye lipstick, hello Hamburger Helper

The United States is not in or even near a recession, despite what your grocery bill feels like. For years, one of the best-known recession indicators has been the “lipstick index,” which posits that Americans stock up on cheaper feel-good makeup when times are tough. New economic warning signs experts say to watch include cardboard box production, Hamburger Helper sales, the popularity of thrifting, sales of huge semi- and similar trucks, the rate of people switching jobs, and the number of home equity loan originations and new residential building permits.