Electricity bills in Northern Illinois and New Jersey are expected to rise due to the energy demands of data centers and AI advancements, with lack of transparency and renewable energy integration exacerbating the situation.

Coca-Cola plans to launch a version of its soda sweetened with U.S. cane sugar in the fall, expanding its range and responding to consumer interest in natural ingredients.

Mariano's is closing three suburban Chicago stores as part of Kroger's nationwide strategy to improve efficiency. Affected employees will be offered positions at other locations.

Metra in Chicago is considering reintroducing bar cars as café cars on trains, offering snacks and possibly alcohol, following positive rider feedback and a successful test event.

A $150 million plan aims to transform Chicago's Ford City Mall into an industrial campus, offering over 400 jobs and featuring four new buildings. The current owner, Namdar Realty Group, and developer, Bridge Industrial, have yet to comment.

Illinois State Treasurer Frerichs announced the return of $303.8 million in unclaimed assets to nearly 312,000 claimants through the I-CASH program in FY 2025, including a $200,000 contribution to the Orphans of the Storm animal shelter.

Illinois will receive $23 million from opioid settlements with several pharmaceutical companies accused of deceptive practices that fueled the addiction crisis.

Illinois ranked 13th in CNBC's Top States for Business list, up from 30th in 2019, showing improvements in education, infrastructure, and technology, under Governor JB Pritzker's economic strategies.

Springfield's downtown sees multiple small business closures, with owners like Elizabeth Wake citing poor traffic and safety concerns. Mayor and DSI aim to provide support amidst these challenging times.

Gas prices in Chicago drop to $3.65 per gallon, offering motorists relief as they prepare for Independence Day travel, with even lower national averages and significant decreases from the previous year.

CMX Cinemas filed for Subchapter V bankruptcy with plans to restructure and maintain operations, keeping 1,400 jobs intact. The chain, hit by financial issues, aims for long-term viability.

Illinois gas tax will increase on July 1, as per a 2019 law for inflation adjustment, affecting prices for both regular and diesel fuel. Additionally, Chicago's minimum wage and environmental regulations regarding plastic bottles will see changes.

The FTC is refunding $126 million to Fortnite players after Epic Games settled complaints over deceptive payment practices, with a new claims deadline set for July 9.