Crain's Daily Gist

Hosted by Crain's Chicago Business

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600

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Get a head start on your workday with the stories that matter most. Listen to our roundup of essential Chicago headlines and analysis from Crain’s reporters and host Amy Guth.

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60 recent

August 21, 202622 min

C-suite moves at Chicago health giants

Chicago healthcare players GE HealthCare and Baxter International found new finance chiefs at a turning point for both companies. Crain’s healthcare reporter Jon Asplund talks with host Amy Guth about the C-suite moves and other health business news. Plus: Morgan & Morgan signs onto Loop office tower poised for revamp, Pritzker names new transit board members, judge orders Outcome Health execs to pay at least $271 million and Chicago firms tied to Mark Walter probe could face legal woes. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 19, 202617 min

Dealmaking slows down even further

Deals remain scarce for Chicago’s biggest private equity and venture capital firms. Crain’s finance reporter Mark Weinraub discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Former Willis Tower owner testifies real estate empire now worth negative $80 million amid financial woes, Amazon to expand drone delivery to the Chicago area, Chicago Quantum Exchange CEO stepping down and developer buys Lakeview apartments for $61.5 million with plans to expand. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 18, 202621 min

Another way to get Chicago’s hardest restaurant reservations

Chicago’s hottest restaurant tables have a new pay-to-play option . Crain’s contributing food and wine writer Ari Bendersky talks with host Amy Guth about the new platform for hard-to-get reservations. Plus: JPMorgan Chase opens Mag Mile flagship as wealth management competition heats up, developer buying Ford City Mall tweaks industrial plan in bid for city approval, feds want Outcome Health founders’ bond revoked and NASCAR is pulling the plug on its Chicago street race. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 17, 202622 min

Stellantis boosts its Belvidere reset

Crain's reporter John Pletz talks with host Amy Guth about Stellantis’ plans to restart the idled Belvidere plant and Madison Air’s $5.4 billion acquisition . Plus: Federal rail funding clears path for Justin Ishbia’s big South Loop plans, Bally’s issues "going concern" warning to investors, an old name in Chicago business gets set to fold and Chicago Fed’s Goolsbee wants to see more evidence of cooling inflation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 14, 202622 min

What's behind Chicago's falling death rate

Crain’s healthcare reporter Jon Asplund talks with host Amy Guth about healthcare news, including recent successes Chicago has seen in lowering opioid overdoses . Plus: Johnson says Chicago will make full advance pension payment, Chicago Auto Show veteran named new McCormick Place GM, Durbin still waiting for FAA answers on O’Hare flight caps and Meta bringing first Midwest retail store to Gold Coast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 12, 202645 min

The hottest spots in Chicago's already hot housing market

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to discuss the latest local housing news, including where Chicago-area home prices are rising fastest . Plus: Johnson calls for a moratorium on new data centers in Chicago, Josh Kushner and Bob Iger buy L.A. Lakers from Mark Walter for more than $12 billion after a federal probe of the Guggenheim CEO reaches Chicago, nearly 250 call-center workers to be laid off as Pace contract shifts and an analysis finds Illinois farmers saw nation’s biggest jump in seasonal planting diesel costs. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 11, 202619 min

Another big bet on Mag Mile's recovery

The owner of the Shops at North Bridge plans a $40 million revamp for the vertical mall. Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Rachel Herzog discusses the shopping center, and other Mag Mile news, with host Amy Guth. Plus: Bears eye second Hammond site as Indiana push advances, why Bally’s is slowing casino construction in its fight with City Hall, CME seeks 24/7 trading of silver futures in retail push and CEOs pushed White House to delay ultra-processed food definition. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 10, 202622 min

Refunds won't end companies' tariff headaches

Illinois companies are reporting an $857 million tariff windfall , but tariff and supply chain issues persist. Crain’s reporter John Pletz discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Congress eyes boosting quantum funds as global race heats up, Portillo’s is cutting HQ staff by 18%, Pritzker presses Welch for quick action on sexual-harassment reforms and Fairlife breaks ground on $650 million expansion in Michigan. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 7, 202628 min

McDonald's value problem is bigger than just prices

Crain's restaurants reporter Ally Marotti and host Amy Guth discuss McDonald’s struggle with its value strategy. Plus: Landmark Loop office building takes step toward data center conversion; Pritzker pens letter to Trump, seeking tariff refunds for Illinois families; Outcome Health founders’ fraud convictions upheld; and Indiana preps for Bears with plan for new South Shore Line stop in Hammond. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 5, 202638 min

No one is building homes slower than Illinois in mainland U.S

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to discuss the latest local housing news, including Illinois' rank near the bottom on building new housing. Plus: Portillo’s taps Olive Garden exec as CFO in leadership reboot, Kraft Heinz turnaround progress leaves investors wanting more, Adams Street Partners moving HQ to West Loop riverfront building and ADM raises 2026 outlook as biofuels drive growth. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.