Crain's Daily Gist

On the heels of CME Groups' recent launch of bitcoin options, Bloq Chairman Matthew Roszak joins the podcast today to talk with host Amy Guth about the future of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology for businesses, how other countries are adapting to digital assets and why business leaders should take it seriously. Plus: State Sen. Don Harmon is elected to lead the chamber—look for Crain's Greg Hinz to have an analysis of that in tomorrow's Morning 10. Also, the state and SEIU Healthcare reach two contract agreements, Rosebud is planning 3-level restaurant near Millennium Park and a survey indicates workers expect businesses to act on social and environmental issues. Find #CrainsDailyGist on Twitter and let's continue the conversation.

A home-building halt near the trail clears Chicago's City Council, what economists see for the Chicago housing market in 2020, and look inside some area homes of note. Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin shares this week’s local market news. Plus: Chicago’s bond penalty plunges as investors hunt for yields, Cook County approves a 3 percent marijuana tax, Advocate is closing 7 Walgreens clinics, a Texas co-working firm heads to a new Loop office building and U of I system asks to hike tuition on incoming freshmen. Find hashtag #CrainsDailyGist to continue the conversation about these and other business stories.

City Hall lobbyists have to work harder for less-certain results these days. Between a new mayor, steady federal scrutiny and with City Council leadership and coalitions scrambled, officials expect a record number of professional government influencers at work this spring. Crain’s politics and government reporter A.D. Quig shares more with host Amy Guth. Plus: Chicago’s first startup bank in over a decade gets the green light to raise capital, a proposal to halt homebuilding near the 606 advances, workers at a major weed company in Joliet approve a union and Nike will fund an athletic facility at the Obama Library. Find hashtag #CrainsDailyGist to continue the conversation about these and other business stories.

The Illinois governor has an understanding with Mayor Lori Lightfoot on a Chicago casino, but pension and tax battles await, Crain's Greg Hinz tells Amy Guth. Plus: Here's how CME's bitcoin debut went, Illinois weed sales slumped in the second week, startup NuCurrent gets a charge out of CES and Grubhub insists it is not exploring a sale. Find hashtag #CrainsDailyGist to continue the conversation about these and other business stories.

Marijuana companies are jockeying for position in what's seen as the most lucrative piece of the legal weed market: downtown Chicago. And a regulatory disconnect could force marijuana companies to build out stores with no guarantee they'll be allowed to open. In this episode, Crain’s reporter John Pletz shares his insights with host Amy Guth. Plus: Boeing's new CEO takes control today with the company's integrity in doubt, State Farm is on pace to lose its car-insurance crown, a Northwest Side hospital is losing most of its ER doctors and liquor giant Diageo buys a stake in a local no-alcohol spirits maker. Find hashtag #CrainsDailyGist on Twitter to continue the conversation about these and other business stories.

This week in Chicago housing market news includes an update on homebuilding around the 606, a 19th-century Gold Coast mansion, and more. Plus: A life sciences hub is planned for Fulton Market, and Illinois weed shops have a shortage of workers.

The Cook County state's attorney called in ex-top judge Ruben Castillo and noted D.C. attorney Michael Bromwich to help with the probe of how the Jussie Smollett case was handled. And, unrelated, an email from a powerful Springfield ex-lobbyist hints at a possible rape cover-up downstate. In this episode, Crain’s political columnist Greg Hinz shares insight about both stories. Plus: A U of I hospital is planning a $191 million outpatient center on its Near West Side campus, the Boeing jet that crashed in Iran was a predecessor to the 737 Max, Kraft Heinz names a U.S. leader and Abbott names a new CFO, and Vienna Beef is moving its headquarters to the Kinzie Industrial Corridor. Find hashtag #CrainsDailyGist on Twitter to continue the conversation about these and other business stories.

Crain’s Forum is a 12-month deep dive into the seemingly intractable problems facing our city and state, addressing issues including gun violence, wages and housing, among others. Forum editor Hugh Delios spoke to host Amy Guth about the impact of the Forum’s first eight months and gave a preview of the subjects it'll take on in the months ahead. Plus: Illinois weed sales totaled nearly $11 million in the first five days, Chicago is among the top 10 best-paying metro areas, the city is nabbing land near the Obama Presidential Center, photo-editing app maker VSCO taps a Signal and Feedburner veteran as director of engineering and a Penny Pritzker-backed tech booster heads to Fulton Market. Use hashtag #CrainsDailyGist on Twitter to continue the conversation about these and other business stories.

Tight supplies of marijuana and workers are proving challenging for Chicago sellers, Crain's John Pletz tells host Amy Guth. Plus: Boeing shares fall on reports of additional Max issues and possible debt raising, the Chicago-made Ford Explorer hits the automaker's fourth-quarter sales, craft beer loses its cool and an important Medicaid insurer in Cook County is being acquired by a California insurer for $50 million. Use hashtag #CrainsDailyGist on Twitter to continue the conversation about these and other business stories.

Local home price values grew 0.5 percent year-over-year in October, the second straight month with an increase under 1 percent. Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks about these numbers and other market news in this episode of Crain’s Daily Gist. Plus: Illinois reports $3.2 million in sales on the first day of legal weed in the state, another high-ranking Boeing executive is out amid the 737 Max crisis and a look at new taxes, fees, regulations and health care laws in the new year. Use hashtag #CrainsDailyGist on Twitter to continue the conversation about these and other business stories.

2019 was a year of change at the top of Chicago and Illinois government. Crain's reporter A.D. Quig reviews the year in politics and chats with host Amy Guth about what's ahead for the city and state.

Crain's health care reporter Stephanie Goldberg recaps the people and organizations that made news in the past year, and industry trends she'll be watching in 2020.

Crain's residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin looks back on the big stories of the year—including which neighborhoods saw record sales and some remarkable homes that hit the market —as well as the data and trends he'll be watching in 2020.

As the year comes to a close, Daily Gist host Amy Guth speaks with Crain's reporters about 2019's news and what they'll be watching in 2020. Today, Crain's reporter John Pletz discusses scandal-scarred Outcome Health, cannabis startups, the airport as an economic engine and more.

Creating and sustaining good jobs is crucial for the Chicago region's success, as the divide widens between the earnings of those with college degrees and those without. Crain's Forum editor Hugh Dellios joins the podcast today to talk about the latest installment of the publication's yearlong deep dive into many of the big issues facing our city and state. Plus: Boeing ousts its CEO, Rivian gets $1.3 billion in new funding, an O'Hare lawsuit could resonate beyond the airport and Sears sells its DieHard brand. Use hashtag #CrainsDailyGist on Twitter to continue the conversation about these and other business stories.