The location where Fox and Obel used to occupy is now filled with a Target, but with a difference. The store is much smaller than typical Targets seen across the US; it offers home-made products from manufacturers in the Chicago area; and most exciting of all, alcohol will be served right in the store.
See the video to get a taste of things to come:
According to a recent study by Moody’s Investors Service, Chicago’s pension fund has the most underfunded retirement plans in the country. How underfunded is that? Moody’s says the pensions cost the city 8 times annual revenues.
Based on a three year average calculated by Moody’s Chicago’s pension obligations add up to a total of $29.8 billion. That figure comes to 15.5 percent of its property tax base, making it also the highest in the nation using that parameter.
Chicago came in at the bottom of this list also two years ago, the first year of this Moody’s survey. The office of Mayor Emanuel did not comment on this report.
The new policy for employees at Netflix is fabulous news for new moms and dads who would like to spend some quality and quantity time with their newly born children for the first year after birth.
Netflix announced that they are now going to allow workers to take unlimited maternity or paternity leave anytime during the first year after either a birth or adoption of a new child in the family.
The new policy is extremely liberal, with no demand for any kind of decision as to whether the employee wants to come back at all, or come back full or part time, or stop working now and coming back later, and anything in between or in combination. The Netflix policy will be continue paying the normal salary, regardless of the amount of time the worker works, with no cumbersome switch to disability, maternity or sick leave.
The company is being praised for its liberal policy regarding parenthood and time off from work. There is no regard whether the parent is the mother or father, and the time period allotted recognizes the key importance of a child’s first year of life.
There is so much to do in Chicago and over the summer things heat up even more! The summer festivals in particular are usually a hit. One of them – the Taste of Chicago 2015 – is actually the world’s largest food festival. With free admission and a focus on the diverse culinary scene of the state, 60 restaurants were featured this year. Some of the big names that made an appearance there were: Bobak Sausage Company, Chicago’s Dog House, Lawrence’s Fish & Shrimp to name but a few. That took place in the beginning of July and this year marked its 35th anniversary.
For those looking for some musical entertainment, check out Rush Hour Concerts’ Make Music Chicago 2015. A full day of free musical performances, the event is now in its fifth consecutive year. Every year it takes place on the Summer Solstice. It is a true celebration of “the ability of everyone to participate in music-making.” Highlights include: A Father’s Day Sing-a-long and The Sinatra Mobile Piano Bar.
Then there are the theater productions taking place over the summer in Chicago. These include: Doubt: A Parable, the Broadway musical On Your Feet and The Herd, amongst others.
Of course, while in Chicago over the summer, the numerous farmers markets are definitely worth checking out, in particular the popular Green City Market and the fireworks which are a real blast!
Known as the “Second City,” Chicago is a bustling center of commerce and business. Until the end of the 20th century, Chicago indeed was the second most populated city in the USA after New York. When Los Angeles at last surpassed Chicago, the nickname “Second City” stuck even though the city now occupied third place in terms of population.
Nevertheless, Chicago is one of the most important cities in North America. Incorporated in the year 1837, its position near a portage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi watershed stimulated incredible development during the mid- to late-19th century.
Today, Chicago is one of the most important hubs for commerce, finance, industry, technology, telecommunication, and transportation in the world. Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is the most frequented airport in the globally. It has more US highways and road freight than anywhere else. The Globalization and World Cities Research Network listed Chicago as an “Alpha Global City.” As of 2012 Chicago’s gross metropolitan product of $571 billion is the third largest in the USA.