Small Business
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Retail sales rise 0.6% in February, but impact of Iran war threatens to derail spending
Apr 01, 2026 9:14 am - Shoppers increased their spending in February, particularly on cars and clothing, after pulling back at the start of the year due to severe winter storms.
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K. Hollis Jewelers marks 21 years with estate jewelry showcaseMar 30, 2026 2:25 pm - Batavia-based K. Hollis Jewelers will celebrate its 21st anniversary with a special event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 11 at 2030 Main St. in Batavia.
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Transparency in lending practices protects small businessesMar 28, 2026 1:43 pm - Consumers are protected against predatory lending in Illinois. Small businesses are not.
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The Biz Week That Was: Bears deal should happen ‘sooner,’ data centers face hurdleMar 28, 2026 1:06 pm - Pritzker: Bears stadium deal should happen ‘sooner rather than later’ As lawmakers returned to Springfield Tuesday, Gov. JB Pritzker said that a deal to get a Bears ...
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Several suburban small businesses awarded $10K enhancement grants
Mar 25, 2026 9:41 am - A dozen Illinois small businesses will receive $10,000 Backing Small Business enhancement grants from American Express and Main Street America.
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‘Microshifting’ puts a new spin on 9-to-5 schedules
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Women leading the future of financial confidenceMar 23, 2026 3:11 pm - Across the financial industry, women are playing a vital role in advancing that confidence through education, mentorship, and community engagement.
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‘Zombie’ second mortgages spur new battles in state capitols
Mar 21, 2026 1:24 pm - A Bloomberg News investigation last year found that more than 600,000 second mortgages taken out before the 2008 financial crisis — and then largely forgotten amid a wave of loan modifications during the recovery — remain outstanding across the country. Debt collectors buy these mortgages for pennies on the dollar and then demand homeowners pay bills that often include years of back interest.
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The Biz Week That Was: New Aurora casino to open, more stores coming to Woodfield, and rising national debtMar 21, 2026 1:10 pm - New Aurora casino plans to open in June The new Hollywood Casino Aurora plans to open June 24, the owners announced Thursday. The $360 million casino, which replaces...
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How community banks are fighting back against fraud for Chicago-area customersMar 21, 2026 1:00 pm - According to recent industry research from Bankrate, 40% of Americans experienced a financial scam or fraud attempt in the past 12 months, up from 34% the year before. Over a lifetime, nearly three-quarters of Americans — 73% — have encountered some form of financial fraud, and 11% report actually losing money.