The Biz Week That Was: Bears stadium plan up in the air, data centers glitch, and grocery store reboot

Pride and joy of Northwest Indiana? Bears president floats move as deal for Arlington Park stalls

Stymied by hopes of a property tax break and infrastructure dollars for a new stadium and entertainment complex in Arlington Heights, Chicago Bears officials Wednesday expanded their stadium search across state lines to Northwest Indiana. In a letter to season ticket holders, team President/CEO Kevin Warren decried a lack of “legislative partnership” in Springfield for state support that would allow the team to build on the 326-acre Northwest suburban property it purchased in 2023.

Illinois running low on power as AI data centers spike electricity demand

Illinois is running out of power. That’s the word from state analysts trying to figure out whether there are enough sources of electricity to keep the lights on in the coming years. The outlook is bleak, according to a just-released report from Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration, as demand is sky high and older sources of power, such as coal plants, are shutting down. Newer sources of “clean” power, such as wind and solar, are not coming online quickly enough. This is bad news for anyone who is worried about their electricity bills.

Why building owner is marketing former Uncle Julio’s space for office use in Vernon Hills

Vernon Hills officials agree the northwest corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Route 60 near Hawthorn mall is a valuable location in the retail-heavy village, but are split on whether medical offices are a good use for the site. Although a retail use for the space is preferred — and encouraged — by the village, building owner Elliot Bay Capital has been granted a conversion certificate for 850 Milwaukee Ave.

‘Our family tradition’: Vending machines at Aurora mall make giving as easy as buying a snack

Three red vending machines at Fox Valley Mall make donating winter clothes to the unsheltered, providing breakfast for needy kids, or sending chickens to people in developing countries as easy as buying a bag of chips. The Light the World Giving Machines, an initiative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, were unveiled Wednesday for the third year at the Aurora mall.

Family tradition continues at revamped Island Lake grocery store

The revamped and updated version of Island Lake's only grocery store, long a landmark and resource for residents and passersby on Route 176, is readying for an encore. A weathered roadside sign still identifies the site as home to Island Foods since 1972. But the doors on that family-owned business near the Lake-McHenry county line closed for good nearly 2½ years ago and a new family is set to give it a go.

33 homes could be coming to Schwaben Center property in Buffalo Grove

The Buffalo Grove planning and zoning commission is considering a proposal for a 33-home residential development on the Schwaben Center property on Weiland Road. M/I Homes of Chicago LLC plans to build the Highbury Club, a single-family detached home development, on the 8.6-acre property.

New Indian eatery proposed for former Tuscany site in Wheeling

A Chicago-area restaurateur plans to open his latest venture in a long-vacant space on Wheeling’s Restaurant Row. Arun Sharma is eyeing the former Tuscany building at 550 S. Milwaukee Ave. for a culinary concept to be called Ahara. He envisions an upscale restaurant with a lounge, private event space and exterior dining areas for patrons.