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Posts in category "Business"

It must be Thursday--the Sun-Times has a new owner, editor and vision

Jim Kirk discusses a new life for the Chicago Sun-Times on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight Sometimes it seems that new owners, new leadership and new new inspiration at the Chicago Sun-Times come as frequently as the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Perhaps someone is keeping track of the changes at... Read more »
By Dennis Byrne,
April 26, 2012 at 12:16 pm
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Here we go again: 'Bonds Backed by Mortgages Regain Allur'

Amazing. Does it signal that the real estate market is bottoming out? Here are some interesting observations found in the New York Times:  Some Wall Street investors made money as the mortgage market boomed; others profited when it fell apart. Having reaped big gains during both of those turns, Greg Lippmann, a former star trader... Read more »
By Dennis Byrne,
February 20, 2012 at 8:27 am
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Illinois unemployment rate increased most in the nation in 2011

According to the Illinois Policy Institute: As Gov. Pat Quinn prepares for the State of the State address on Feb. 1, he will find it difficult to defend the state’s economic policies that have resulted in more unemployed Illinoisans in 2011. Almost a year after Illinois’ record income tax increase, the state’s unemployment woes contrast... Read more »
By Dennis Byrne,
January 26, 2012 at 4:29 pm
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Another bankrupt company pays out executive bonuses

This time it is at the bankrupt Solyndra LLC The failed energy company–once touted by President Barack Obama as the kind of green company we need to emulate–is into taxpayers for $500,000 in unpaid loans, so the $500,000 that is being given to “key employees” to keep them around is small potatoes. Still… The reporting is... Read more »
By Dennis Byrne,
January 14, 2012 at 12:45 pm
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Hallelujah! Chicagoans (not Brits) buy Chicago Sun-Times!

Chicago for decades had enjoyed the honorific of being America’s “best newspaper town.” That was until foreigners and out-of-towners gained control of the Chicago Sun-Times. Now, with the new ownership, not a Brit, Australian or Canadian is in sight, and glory be to God for that. A parade of foreign owners, publishers and editors has... Read more »
By Dennis Byrne,
December 22, 2011 at 2:10 pm
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CME's political contributions to Illinois' power brokers pay off

Steve Bogira  at the Reader details how the some–shall we say?–farsighted campaign contributions by CME to House Speaker Michael Madigan, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Gov. Pat Quinn and Ald. Ed Burke might help explain why the financial giant successfully–dare I say–extorted a bribe from Illinois not to move out of state. Explains Bogira: Just since 2010, CME’s... Read more »
By Dennis Byrne,
December 16, 2011 at 10:37 am
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UPDATE: Chicago's most ignored military veterans' landmark finally draws some attention...

But for the wrong reason. (This is an UPDATE on my earlier Tribune and ChicagoNow column on the landmark building at 400 S. Jefferson to be occupied by Sara Lee.) Leave it to Chicago landmark preservationists to start pumping for landmark status for 400 S. Jefferson for the most precious of  (but mistaken) reasons. This... Read more »
By Dennis Byrne,
December 14, 2011 at 2:30 pm
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It's bad enough that pensions are draining Illinois dry; now Sears and others also want to

If Ohio wants to shower Sears Holding Corp. with $400 million to lure the retailer away from Hoffman Estates, I say, “Fine, do it.” And let Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) explain to his taxpayers why his state’s bribe is four times greater than the $100 million that Illinois reportedly had offered. But if I... Read more »
By Dennis Byrne,
December 6, 2011 at 8:44 am
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Oops, there goes another O'Hare Airport runway

The O’Hare expansion already was in enough trouble without American Airlines declaring bankruptcy. Even before then, American and United Airlines, the airport’s two hub carriers, had declared that they wouldn’t fund Phase II of the expansion, which when completed would cram six parallel runways into a ridiculously small footprint. Now the city will have to... Read more »
By Dennis Byrne,
December 2, 2011 at 8:22 am
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Damn the rich.

“Should the rich be condemned?” asked this commentator for the American Civil Rights Union. It’s worth a read. Thomas Edison invented the incandescent bulb, the phonograph, the DC motor and other items in everyday use and became wealthy by doing so. Thomas Watson founded IBM and became rich through his company’s contribution to the computation... Read more »
By Dennis Byrne,
November 25, 2011 at 10:53 am
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