Small Business
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New laws: Illinois expands job-protected leave for parents with newborns in NICU
Jan 02, 2026 12:26 pm - Illinois workers with a newborn in a neonatal intensive care unit will soon have additional access to job-protected, unpaid leave. People who work for employers of between 16 and 50 people will get up to 10 days of unpaid leave if they have a newborn in neonatal intensive care. Larger employers have to offer up to 20 days.
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Politicians must embrace civility and solutions in 2026Jan 02, 2026 12:14 pm - The small business community touches nearly everyone, and together we can drive a proactive and positive agenda that supports local businesses, transcends destructive politics, and builds a stronger economy in 2026.
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The Biz Week That Was: A new microwinery, new restaurants opening in 2026 are among the highlightsJan 02, 2026 9:42 am - The Week that Was in business
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Entertainment venues, grocery stores and more on tap for suburbs in 2026Jan 02, 2026 8:52 am - Pickleball courts, child day care facilities, data centers and restaurants have been popping up or proposed throughout the suburbs but they won’t be the only newcomers in 2026.
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BBB’s top scam-prevention resolutions for 2026Dec 30, 2025 3:33 pm - As consumers ring in the new year, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is urging them to add critical resolutions to protect themselves from scams and fraud in 2026.
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IRS increases 2026 business mileage rate by 2.5 cents
Dec 30, 2025 3:17 pm - The standard mileage rate for the business use of a car, truck, van or other vehicle will increase by 2.5 cents in 2026.
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Illinois wine from California grapes: New sipping space opens in Elk GroveDec 30, 2025 11:14 am - MCG Winery, a new microwinery in Elk Grove Village, is now open for private tastings. It doubles as a production facility.
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Barrington boutique burglary: Nearly all of resale shop’s inventory stolenDec 29, 2025 11:50 am - Thieves broke into a Barrington resale boutique early Sunday morning, emptying the store of its goods.
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New businesses, fond farewells and historic preservation: A look back at the top stories of 2025 in Talk of the TownDec 29, 2025 9:57 am - New businesses and developments, historic preservation, museums and a fairy garden were among the top stories in Dave Heun’s Talk of the Town column in 2025.
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El Molino restaurant in Carpentersville reopens with new look, new owners who also run Elgin taqueria
Dec 29, 2025 8:58 am - El Molino Mexican Restaurant in Carpentersville — a staple in the village for 40 years — has been purchased by a family that runs an Elgin taqueria and recently reopened with a new look.