Business Columns
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Music adds to dining experience and makes the spending easierJun 16, 2025 6:44 am - When it comes to music in restaurants, most guests don’t give it much thought … or at least they don’t think they do. Music done well in restaurants makes all the difference in how long you will stay, what kind of a time you will have and, most important to the restaurant, how much money you will spend.
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Pritzker’s record-high budget: More spending, more taxesJun 07, 2025 12:57 pm - As a business leader, would you approve in under 24 hours a 3,400-page annual plan you had just read for the first time? What if the provisions changed two hours before the deadline? Probably not. Yet that’s exactly how Illinois lawmakers approach the end of every legislative session when passing the state budget.
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What does White Sox ownership transition plan mean for team’s future?Jun 05, 2025 6:59 pm - The White Sox announced a plan that could transfer ownership of the team to Justin Ishbia after 2029. What does it mean for the team and why was it announced Thursday?
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Tips on navigating economic uncertainty for small business ownersMay 31, 2025 1:39 pm - In today’s unpredictable economic climate, many small business owners are struggling to maintain stability amid inflation and fluctuating costs.
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This week politicians can prove they value small businessesMay 24, 2025 1:16 pm - We started with a robust agenda this year in Springfield, which included reining in overly restrictive occupational licenses and supporting folks laid off from their jobs and ready to start businesses.
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For small businesses, these are the 3 economic metrics that really matter in 2025May 22, 2025 3:20 pm - In the 20+ years I’ve been running my business, I’ve learned from some very smart leaders which economic metrics they follow. These metrics change each year, depending on circumstances. This year, these three are the ones they’re closely watching.
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Turn mental health awareness into action in the workplaceMay 21, 2025 9:29 am - This year has gotten off to a tumultuous start for Americans. It is easy to understand why people are having trouble going about their normal business with a positive mindset. Fortunately, May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the theme for 2025 is “Turn Awareness into Action.”
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Illinois’ motor fuel tax is working as intended: Fixing roads and keeping up with costsMay 17, 2025 1:28 pm - Every July 1 since 2019, Illinois’ motor fuel tax ticks upward with the rate of inflation. And every year, the same talking heads emerge attacking it as some evidence of broken government.
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Leveraging local: How to build a brand that belongsMay 14, 2025 10:04 am - In a retail and service world filled with Amazon, Costco, Target, Walmart and other massive, multinational companies, there still remains a surprising amount of space for local business.
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Opinion: Crypto industry comes with great opportunity, great riskMay 13, 2025 1:08 pm - The whole digital assets industry, commonly called “Crypto,” is booming in Illinois and in our country.