Brian J. Rogal –

Pedestrians pass renovations at Google’s future Midwest headquarters in the James R. Thompson Center on Sept. 30, 2026. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Morningstar to move global headquarters to the Thompson Center

October 1, 2026 at 10:18 a.m.

Investment firm Morningstar announced Wednesday it will move its global headquarters into the James R. Thompson Center, the downtown landmark being renovated by internet giant Google.

State Rep. Theresa Mah and Cook County Commissioner John Daley attend a community meeting to discuss a proposed Amtrak maintenance facility in the Bridgeport neighborhood on Sept. 17, 2026, at the Carpenter Training Center in Chicago. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Preckwinkle and Cook County Board, most aldermen oppose Amtrak-Ishbia plan

September 24, 2026 at 7:55 p.m.

The Cook County Board Thursday opposed a proposed new Amtrak maintenance facility in Bridgeport tied to the White Sox potentially moving to a new ballpark in the South Loop.

Ann Caruso, center right, yells in response to a panel member's statement during the question-and-answer segment of a community meeting to discuss a proposed Amtrak maintenance facility west of Rate Field in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago, on Sept. 17, 2026, at the Carpenter Training Center. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Overflow crowd rejects plan for Amtrak maintenance yard near Rate Field: ‘Nasty real estate deal’

September 18, 2026 at 5:16 p.m.

Amtrak’s proposed maintenance yard would stretch for about 2 miles along Canal Street on the current Union Pacific railyard just west of the Chicago White Sox’s Rate Field.

Google released new renderings of a renovated James R. Thompson Center on Sept. 16, 2026, giving the public a glimpse of the interior. (Pixelflakes for Google)

Google provides a glimpse inside the renovated Thompson Center

September 16, 2026 at 12:01 a.m.

The building’s soaring atrium will be preserved, along with its iconic, black-and-white mosaic on the marble-clad ground floor.

Dave's Furniture & Mattress Outlet at 8148 S. Cicero Ave. in Burbank runs a final store-closing and liquidation sale on Sept. 14, 2026, before it becomes the new location for a JCPenney's. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

JCPenney to open a new store to replace its shuttered Ford City location

September 14, 2026 at 4:11 p.m.

JCPenney plans to open a new store in the next few months to replace its longtime home in Chicago’s Ford City Mall, according to a company spokesperson.

Chicagoans protesting against Amtrak moving a maintenance facility into their community attend a press conference across from Rate Field on Sept. 8, 2026. The Amtrak facility would be adjacent to the current White Sox stadium in a residential neighborhood, according to the proposed plan, and the stadium would move to a South Loop location on the Chicago River. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Residents and elected leaders protest proposal to move the Chicago White Sox

September 8, 2026 at 9:22 p.m.

Justin Ishbia unveiled a proposal called The Railyards, which involves putting a new White Sox ballpark on Amtrak’s current maintenance site near the Chicago River.

Alex Rodríguez, from left, Amy Cobos and David Gutiérrez Hernández relax during happy hour at Mariela in Chicago’s Loop, Aug. 27, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Many Loop restaurants shut their doors during the pandemic. Now new ones are taking their place.

September 7, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Nearly 20 downtown restaurants, cafes and dessert shops opened in the spring, according to a report from the nonprofit Chicago Loop Alliance.

Seattle's Juniper Flats, developed in 2023, has four units per floor, all connected by a single staircase. Several U.S. cities, including Seattle, New York, Baltimore, Denver and Austin, Texas, have ditched the double-staircase requirement. (Build LLC)

Allowing single-stair complexes could create needed housing, but safety concerns loom in debate over ordinance

September 11, 2026 at 11:29 a.m.

A group of advocates wants to pass an ordinance allowing developers to construct a single staircase for residential buildings of up to five stories, instead of the required two staircases.

Store closing signs at a different Treasure Island store at 75 W. Elm St. in Chicago in 2018. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/baiduhai)

Whole Foods Market is coming to Old Town, and will take over old Treasure Island spot

September 2, 2026 at 8:33 a.m.

Whole Foods Market, which already has 10 Chicago locations, will take over a site once used by the Treasure Island supermarket.

The closed Ford City Mall in Chicago on Aug. 19, 2026. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Chicago Plan Commission approves Ford City Mall demolition plan, but many neighbors object

August 20, 2026 at 4:24 p.m.

The Chicago Plan Commission voted Thursday to approve a plan to demolish Chicago's closed Ford City Mall, and replace it with a collection of warehouses and distribution buildings.

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