A Fresh Gust for the Windy City
Christine Fahey covers business, real estate, and economic development for Chicago Gust. An Irish-American from the Lincoln Park area, Christine spent eight years at Crain's Chicago Business covering finance, commercial real estate, and corporate Chicago before joining the team. She holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and brings analytical rigor to her coverage of the forces shaping Chicago's economy—from Loop office vacancies to neighborhood revitalization projects. Christine's coverage of Chicago's commercial real estate market has been cited by Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal. Previously, Christine was a Research Analyst at Bloomberg News. Christine holds a B.S. in Finance from Northwestern University.
A study of 1,200 designers found the average creative professional spends 22 hours per week on operational tasks. For Chicago agencies, that overhead translates to millions in wasted payroll and a growing retention crisis.
Chicago's final days of March captured through photos: mourning Sheridan Gorman, ICE agents at O'Hare, and neighborhood life across the city.
New survey data from Productive reveals that only 27% of agencies have been asked to lower prices due to AI, challenging widespread fears of commoditization in the professional services industry.
A federal adversary proceeding alleges Chapter 7 trustee Christopher R. Barclay settled $75 million in bankruptcy claims for $200,000, then helped sell remaining estate assets to the man accused of orchestrating the underlying fraud for $100,000.
Chicago alt-rock band Brigitte Calls Me Baby releases second album 'Irreversible' on ATO Records as Thalia Hall shows sell out in record time.
Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order Tuesday prohibiting federal immigration agents from using any city-owned property for enforcement operations, according to a city announcement.
Chicago area residents should prepare for a dramatic temperature swing Saturday as gusty winds drive readings down approximately 20 degrees following overnight thunderstorms, according to NBC 5 Storm Team meteorologists.
Chicago actress Cynthia Kaye McWilliams has launched her own comedy-drama series after years of working within Hollywood's constraints, according to a recent interview about her latest project.
Greenland Mines Corp. acquisition by NASDAQ-listed Klotho closes March 4, bringing a $68 billion palladium asset into focus for the Midwest's commodity trading and manufacturing sectors.
Three suspects were arrested after breaking into Anna's Gaming Cafe in Midlothian for the fourth time in recent months, according to police and the business operator.
Most of Illinois is experiencing drought conditions, with nearly 20 counties suffering from extreme drought that threatens crops, increases fire danger and creates widespread water shortages, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Skyline Furniture opened a 30,000-square-foot woodshop last summer that can boost the company's overall manufacturing capacity by 30% to 40%, according to CEO Meganne Wecker. The expansion positions the Thornton-based furniture maker to add about 50 employees this year as it continues manufacturing beds, chairs and other furniture for major retailers including Wayfair and Target.
A Cook County judge has ruled that Chicago systematically overcharged drivers for parking tickets and city sticker violations over more than a decade, potentially forcing the city to pay tens of millions of dollars in refunds.
Burlington Central overcame a rocky end to the regular season to deliver its best performance of the year Tuesday night, defeating Geneva 62-58 in a Class 3A regional semifinal at Rocket Hill.
East Garfield Park welcomed its first freestanding coffee shop when Semaphore Café opened at 3458 W Lake St. at the start of 2026, according to the business owner.
Chicago-based Byline Bancorp shows stronger revenue and earnings than Fidelity D&D Bancorp in new financial comparison, though Pennsylvania bank offers higher dividends.
Zephyr Home's new 45,000-square-foot flagship store brings sustainable home goods and 200 jobs to Chicago's Magnificent Mile retail corridor.
The company's AI-powered diagnostic platform, which helps doctors identify diseases from medical imaging, has attracted major hospital systems and now one of the largest funding rounds for a Chicago healthcare tech company this year.
As Small Business Saturday approaches on November 29, we spotlight a dozen independently owned Chicago shops that have weathered economic storms, pandemic shutdowns, and online competition to remain pillars of their communities.
Chicago's commercial real estate market adapts to post-pandemic work patterns with flexible office designs and shorter lease terms as demand shifts.
Austin-based cloud computing firm Nextera Technologies announces plans to establish its Midwest headquarters at 1000 W. Fulton Street, creating 500 high-paying technology jobs over the next three years.
Chicago landlords adapt to post-pandemic work trends by redesigning office spaces for flexible hybrid models, reshaping the Loop and suburban markets.
Chicago developers are redesigning office spaces as companies embrace hybrid work models, transforming the commercial real estate landscape downtown.
New research places Chicago second only to Austin among Midwest startup ecosystems, driven by fintech growth and venture capital investments.
Target's new 75,000-square-foot flagship store on Michigan Avenue features local partnerships and aims to revitalize downtown retail amid post-pandemic recovery.
Midwest Metal Works announces $15M facility expansion in Pilsen, bringing 200 new manufacturing jobs to Chicago's Southwest Side community.