All posts by ChicagoAdmin

Local Wage Increase

Business News,

At the beginning of this month minimum wage increased by a dollar per hour in Chicago and throughout Illinois.  Employers who have over 21 workers will have to pay them at least $14; smaller businesses will be increased to $13.50. Per month on average this will translate into an additional $120 for a monthly salary.

According to Secretary Treasurer for the Chicago Federation of Labor, Don Villar:



“This is a great step for workers, but more needs to be done to life up the workers in Chicago and across the state of Illinois.”

However, there is still a long way to go.  The Chicago Federation of Labor has pointed out that this still won’t be enough.  Governor J. B. Pritzker said:

“It’s important for us to stand up for people who are working class, people who cannot otherwise afford to maintain their home. We do not want people to become homeless in this difficult crisis.”

Summertime in Chicago

Entertainment, , , ,

Well, back in the day George Gershwin did sing ‘Summertime and the livin’ is easy.’  We have come a long way since then and COVID-19 seems to have destroyed any chance of that, but thankfully some local businesses are trying to bring some joy to summer this year I spite of the chaos.

Local H came to Gibson’s Harvest Moon Drive-In Theater and performed for two days at the weekend.  This marked the first large musical event of its kind since the coronavirus pandemic began and the entertainment industry was all but shuttered back in March.

While drive-ins have become way less common over the last few decades, the pandemic has pushed people to think outside the box.  As such, events such as these are not only popular but a wonderful nostalgic memory for middle-aged folk as well as new and exciting for 20+ year olds.

In addition, yesterday there was a wonderful  bike camping adventure put on by The Out Our Front Door Organization that started in downtown Chicago at Ping Tom Park and ends today in Shabbona Woods.

Local Hospitality Industry Transactions

Services, , ,

Despite the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, there have still been some business transactions in the works.  Here, we look at two local ones in the hospital industry: a brewery and a food delivery firm.

Having ceased operations during the coronavirus outbreak, Argus Brewery has now been put up for sale for $2.5m. This facility produces and distributes beer and is located in a Pullman District. The space – measuring 9,700 square foot has the capacity to make 10,000 barrels each year.  There is at least one camera in each room, a huge freight elevator with a fully operational original motor designed by Nikola Tesla.  The $2.5m price tags includes the delivery vehicle, equipment, and any remaining furniture and intellectual properties.

Then there is the Amsterdam-based food delivery firm Grubhub. This is being purchased by Just Eat Takeaway.com for a $7.3b price tag.  This will make it the largest online food delivery platform in the world (except for China). Each share of Grubhub is being valued at $75.15.  Matt Maloney, founder and CEO of Grubhub will take up membership on the board at Just Eat Takeaway.com. at the end of 2020, there were approximately 2,700 employees; 1,200 of these are in Chicago. It is anticipated that the deal will be complete by Q1 2021. 

Financial Aid Promises

Economy, , ,

The City of Chicago has promised aid of up to $10m. The Department of Planning and Development will be earmarking grants for emergency cases.  Both business owners and individuals are hopeful that they will qualify.

Jewel, the City of Chicago and community partners are also working hard to provide assistance for small businesses during this time.  An $11m fund has been created in the hope of helping them re-build.  According to Mayor Lori Lightfoot:

“Thanks to this fund, many Chicago businesses will be able to address the critical obstacles that businesses are facing and help them make the reopening in our Phase 3 a true reality for them, their employees and their customers. Getting our businesses back on their feet is vital to really moving our city forward and restoring vibrancy and hope in our neighborhoods.”

As well, White Sox has started selling T-shirts to raise money for the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund, with White Six logos, the slogan ‘Chicago Together’ and the Chicago City Flag embellished.

Re-opening of Illinois: Phase 3

Business News, , ,

Many stores have begun reopening and people are returning to work.  According to Illinois Department of Public Health figures there has been a drop in the number of coronavirus tests returning positive. That number is less than the limit that is needed to move on to Phase 3 and hence it went ahead in Chicago and three other areas.

With Phase 3 people will also be able to attend group gatherings of up to 10 people and participate in sport/outdoor activities whereby social distancing rulings can be adhered to. Governor Pritzker said:

“In every aspect of our pandemic response, and especially as we begin to safely reopen meaningful swaths of our economy, our number one priority must be the health and safety of our workers, our customers, and Illinoisans at large.”

Additionally, it is hope that other non-essential businesses (like childcare center, outdoor eateries and hairdressers) will be permitted to re-open by mid-June.

Giving Thanks

Entertainment, , ,

The U.S. Navy’s top aerobatics team were in the sky flying over certain parts of the nation last Tuesday.  Chicagoans were able to see the six F/A-18 Hornets at 11.45pm for 15 minutes.  Thanks for the Blue Angels this was a wonderful way of saying thank you to healthcare workers in the region.

As well, Michelle Obama gave a message of thanks to local frontline workers. The transcript of her words was shared by the University of Chicago’s Medical Center and read:

“Hi, everybody. It’s Michelle Obama, and I just want to take a few minutes to let you all know how profoundly grateful Barack and I are for the heroic work that all of you are doing right now in Chicago. We know that you all are facing overwhelming challenges; you’re working around the clock, spending long hours away from your families, and making impossible decisions day after day. You’re soothing terrified patients, consoling heartbroken loved ones, summoning every ounce of the compassion and strength that you’ve got.”

Lockdown Protest

Economy,

On May 2nd at 5pm here will be a scheduled protest against the economic lockdown of Chicago.  Many people want Illinois to be re-opened.  For those who are healthy and wish to work the situation is frustrating as they are being prevented from doing so by city and state local governments.  They are using the Bill of Rights to exert their right to protest the shutdown. 

All those who attend the protest will be required to wear masks and keep 6+ feet distance from each other.  The march will take place on Randolph and Dearborn at 10am on Saturday, May 2nd.

Video Conferencing City Council Meeting

Infrastructure,

In an unprecedented move, the Chicago City Council held a meeting using Zoom video conferencing.  This is the first time this has ever been done.  In “attendance” were 48 aldermen and Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the latter who chaired the meeting from her City Hall office.  In addition, people from the public were invited to submit comments by phone or email.

On the agenda was one topic – an official amendment to the City Council’s rules  of how such meetings are conducted, thus permitting the use of virtual attendance.  The meeting lasted less than an hour.

Very little was discussed except to set the next City Council meeting for April 22.  However the Mayor was urged by members of the public to shut down the Chicago River scrapyard, General Iron Industries.

Covid-19: Protecting Local Medical Workers

Wellness,

Chicago’s Loretto Hospital could be getting a lot more protective equipment for its staff thanks to contents in a warehouse that has been sitting empty for the last few years.  The warehouse – located on Southwest Side, Chicago – is filled with face shields, gloves, gowns and masks. While some of the items are expired, they are all in their original packages and according to CDC guidelines are thus usable should they be 100% usable.

Therefore, according to Emergency Department Manager at the hospital, Crystal Carey the items will be accepted.  She added that all donations will be “graciously accepted” in order that the hospital will be able to provide the same care as all other hospitals in the region.

Chicago’s Loretto Hospital could be getting a lot more protective equipment for its staff thanks to contents in a warehouse that has been sitting empty for the last few years.  The warehouse – located on Southwest Side, Chicago – is filled with face shields, gloves, gowns and masks. While some of the items are expired, they are all in their original packages and according to CDC guidelines are thus usable should they be 100% usable.

Therefore, according to Emergency Department Manager at the hospital, Crystal Carey the items will be accepted.  She added that all donations will be “graciously accepted” in order that the hospital will be able to provide the same care as all other hospitals in the region.

All items donated and used will be in pristine quality.