Business Columns
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Federal funding cuts, policy changes will be job killers for IllinoisDec 03, 2025 10:26 am - “First, do no harm” is the guiding principle of the medical profession. Most of us would probably like to see it applied to public policymakers as well.
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Columnist addresses complaint from RealtorDec 02, 2025 12:31 pm - As a real estate broker for many years, I often find the tone of your articles to be anti-Realtor. I think you could tone down the us-versus-them approach regarding real estate professionals.
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4 things to know about federal vs. private student loansNov 28, 2025 9:33 am - The college application system seems designed to confuse families.
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Captive consumers are paying way too muchNov 26, 2025 7:34 am - Even though their leases require airport businesses to charge prices that are competitive with downtown Chicago, it sure doesn’t seem that way. I took the time to look at many items for sale at an airport, and the typical markup is 100% to 300% over industry standards.
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What happens if a board does not adopt a budget?Nov 25, 2025 4:37 pm - What happens if a board does not adopt an annual budget?
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Questions about asbestos and moldNov 25, 2025 1:11 pm - We just purchased a 1920s colonial style home and are now renovating it. In the basement, we removed the carpet and discovered tiles that we fear may contain asbestos.
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Cook County’s tax delay exposes Illinois’ worsening business environmentNov 22, 2025 1:30 pm - Chicago’s and Cook County’s tax bases are eroding. The cost of the government keeps climbing.The biggest weak point is in the business sector. Commercial property values in the Loop fell by 7.2% during the past year. The taxes their owners will pay dropped by more than $129 million.
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Staying secure in the digital ageNov 22, 2025 12:49 pm - Digital innovation has made life faster, more convenient and more connected than ever before. But with these advancements comes a growing challenge — protecting ourselves and our businesses from increasingly sophisticated forms of fraud.
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Stay one step ahead of scammers this holiday seasonNov 22, 2025 12:44 pm - The Federal Trade Commission reports that Americans lose billions of dollars to fraud each year, with a noticeable spike during the holiday season.
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Saving federal income tax by paying a state Pass-Through Entity Tax for large gainsNov 22, 2025 12:04 pm - Selling something that has shot up in value — think appreciated stocks, bitcoin bought for pennies, a rental building, or a closely held business — can leave you staring at a hefty state and federal income tax bill.