Crain's Daily Gist

The pandemic has only made worker burnout worse. Now, as companies begin to return to the office, leaders will need to do more to keep workers engaged and motivated. Chicago Comes Back columnists Emily Drake and Todd Connor join host Amy Guth to discuss. Plus: How a newcomer to the hospital business plans to save Mercy, a scaled-back Air & Water Show is planned for this summer, Pfizer CEO urges Biden to form a coalition to cut drug costs, and here’s why you can expect long wait times and high prices when ordering an Uber or Lyft in Chicago right now.

As Chicago-based White Claw tries to stay ahead in an increasingly-crowded hard seltzer space, suburban towns are reconsidering whether to approve recreational marijuana sales as the pot market continues to boom. Reporters Ally Marotti and John Pletz talk weed and hard seltzer with host Amy Guth. Plus: How the Chicago Bears' bid to move to the suburbs highlights issues at Soldier Field, Chicago area's last remaining coal-fired power plants are set to close, Cook County will likely again delay the property tax payment deadline and Mayor Lightfoot’s ‘Chi Biz Strong’ COVID recovery package moves closer to law.

Enticingly low prices are attracting buyers and laying the groundwork for a big increase in downtown condo sales. Reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to explain in a recap of this week’s real estate news. Plus: Progressive hikes auto rates in Illinois as drivers take to the roads again, U.S. News ranks Lurie among the state’s top children's hospitals, Southwest says systems have been restored after 1,400 flights were disrupted due to a glitch, and chicken sandwich battles continue to rage as poultry prices soar.

An Illinois privacy law that has entangled major companies including Facebook is now threatening McDonald’s efforts to improve drive-thru times—a key initiative in its plan to boost sales post-COVID. Crain’s reporter Ally Marotti joins host Amy Guth to explain. Plus: $7.3 billion takeover of Grubhub goes through, Boeing PAC resumes donating to politicians including Republicans who opposed certifying the presidential election, PharmaCann gets a $110M investment from a Canadian marijuana company and the travel rebound ends the need for United to furlough workers when federal pandemic aid runs out.

Insurers are raising premiums as a growing number of ransomware attacks has more businesses looking for digital protection. Reporter Steve Daniels joins host Amy Guth to discuss. Plus: O’Hare is recovering slower than other major airports, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s energy plan could be a lucrative opportunity for ComEd, large mall owner files Chapter 11 and a look at three Chicago shopping areas with three different post-pandemic recovery paths.

Chicago is facing calls to reduce downtown buildings’ carbon footprint and landmark the homes of the city’s Black historical figures. Reporters Danny Ecker and Dennis Rodkin join host Amy Guth to discuss how the movements highlight the real estate industry’s role in climate change and systemic racism. Plus: Another lawsuit has been filed over Illinois' remap, COVID restrictions are lifting but some restaurants aren't ready, ethanol production outlook rises to the highest level since February 2020, and the park district's indoor pools will remain closed throughout the summer—but not because of COVID.

he Chicago-area real estate market is in a relative sweet spot. But how long can it last? Reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to discuss and recap this week’s housing news. Plus: Worldwide travel loosens up, Illinois forms a high-speed rail commission, a Wacker Drive skyscraper hits the market, and new weed licenses could be issued by the end of the summer.

A Gold Coast hotel for sale stands to provide clues about what investors think hotels are worth as the pandemic wanes. Commercial real estate reporter Danny Ecker discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Airline leaders plead to restart trans-Atlantic flights, Cook County changes its vaccination strategy to address hesitancy, insurance startup Kin raises $69 million with an investment from a PGA pro and 10 community leaders get $50K grants from the Field and Macarthur Foundations to make a difference in underserved areas.

Tribune Publishing’s new owner will likely try to turn a profit by slashing newsroom staff. Reporter Ally Marotti joins host Amy Guth to discuss how further cost-cutting will make it difficult for the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers to hold on to readers. Plus: A new report shows your property's share of local government debt, private-equity firms to buy Medline in $30 billion deal, Chicago Fire plans facility on Northwest Side and a ghost kitchen company owned by the co-founder of Uber is embroiled in a North Side NIMBY fight.

Restaurants are getting ready for the removal of coronavirus restrictions June 11, as downtown landlords see a boost with life slowly returning to Chicago’s central business district. Reporters Alby Gallun and Ally Marotti discuss in a roundtable with host Amy Guth. Plus: Pritzker criticizes new ethics rules for state lawmakers; Staples offers $1 billion for Office Depot's consumer unit in new bid; Boeing plans to test ‘curtain of air’ to fight COVID in jet cabins and warns China that a trade impasse threatens its global sway.

Even in Chicago’s hot market, not all homes are selling fast. Reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to take reader questions and recap the latest news in real estate. Plus: Travel restrictions loosen as Chicago's latest COVID measures show the lowest test positivity rate since the pandemic began, Illinois senators approve a plan for a fully elected Chicago school board, ComEd bribery defendants ask a judge to toss some charges and Radio Flyer takes e-bikes and scooters for a spin.

Lawmakers approved a state budget that doesn’t contain tax increases. Political columnist Greg Hinz joins host Amy Guth to explain. Plus: The great supply chain crisis of 2021 is now starting to impact the construction business, First Midwest in $6.5 billion deal with Indiana bank, Ulta's new CEO confronts a beauty business altered by COVID-19 and Chicago clears the way for Mercy Hospital’s new owner.

A health care coalition is launching a new report card that aims to help hospitals and clinics reduce systemic racism and health disparities. Meanwhile, a real estate developer is putting money behind the mayor’s alternative plan to renaming Lake Shore Drive after Black explorer Jean Baptiste Point du Sable. Stephanie Goldberg and A.D. Quig discuss in a reporters’ roundtable with host Amy Guth. Plus: Amtrak details its big expansion plan, Rivian pushes back launch of its battery-powered truck by a month, Boeing to pay $17 million to settle FAA enforcement cases and a big film studio campus is planned for the South Side.

The average home in Chicago is now selling for over 100 percent of the asking price, but home values overall are still rising slower than in other major cities. Reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to explain why that’s not necessarily a bad thing in a recap of this week’s real estate news. Plus: Mayor Lightfoot unveils plan to help hard-hit businesses, Illinois House passes long-awaited weed license bill, Illinois and Discovery Partners Institute team up to monitor COVID in wastewater and the travel rebound gains steam.

THC-infused snacks and candies are increasingly making up a huge share of total weed sales. Reporter John Pletz joins host Amy Guth to explain why Chicago’s deep roots in the food business may give local pot entrepreneurs an edge over the competition. Plus: Lightfoot administration faces more turnover, Chicago more than doubles rent relief funding, Fulton Market development sites hit the market and United Airlines launches its own vaccine lottery.

The Chicago-area saw home sales and prices explode in April. Residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to explain why the market is hotter than it’s been in years. Plus: McDonald's reopening plan is running into opposition from franchisees, Gallagher set to fill Chicago’s Aon vacuum, Illinois Rep. Bobby Rush aims to restart biomedical research disrupted by pandemic and employers are left to take the lead when it comes to wearing masks at work.

Chicago’s political leaders are taking bold steps to bring attention to the lack of diversity in some of the city’s most powerful industries, from financial services to journalism. Crain’s Wendell Hutson and Ally Marotti join host Amy Guth for a reporters’ roundtable. Plus: McDonald's hit with $10 billion discrimination suit from Byron Allen, Tribune Publishing shareholders vote to sell company to hedge fund, CNA Financial paid $40 million in ransom after March cyberattack and Illinois will repay the $2 billion it borrowed from the Federal Reserve without using COVID relief funds.

Low mortgage rates and a shortage of properties for sale has caused home prices to skyrocket. Do new homebuyers stand to lose money in the long run by buying in a sellers’ market? Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to recap this week’s real estate news and take listener questions. Plus: Agents group sues Allstate for multiple breaches of contract, WeWork chairman says demand for shared office space exceeds pre-pandemic levels, market research firm Ipsos reduces its downtown footprint, and Bank of America will raise minimum wage to $25 an hour.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announces $1.5 billion in rent relief as the state says it will lift its freeze on evictions in August. Crain's commercial real estate reporter Alby Gallun talks with host Amy Guth about what it means for renters and landlords. Plus: Lightfoot says Chicagoans should keep wearing masks, General Iron owner hits city with $100 million lawsuit, Fulton Market developer plans massive apartment and office project, Peapod founders have a new grocery-tech venture that helps consumers who have special diets find the right foods.

The Biden administration unexpectedly came out in favor of suspending patent protections for COVID-19 vaccines in a move meant to boost supply in countries hard-hit by the pandemic. Health care reporter Stephanie Goldberg joins host Amy Guth to talk about why the debate over intellectual property rights isn’t as simple as it seems. Plus: A new congressional map surfaces in Springfield, Delta to require vaccines for new employees, Stellantis cuts shift at Illinois Jeep plant amid chip shortage and a WHO report says working long hours increases risk of death from heart disease and stroke.