Chicago-based Hub International filed confidentially for a U.S. IPO and is reportedly targeting about $3 billion, a major private-equity exit. The deal would be closely watched in Chicago and on Wall Street.

A Richland Center Kwik Trip sold a $167,000 Badger 5 ticket in the July 1 drawing. The retailer could receive a small bonus under the Lottery’s program.

Costco closed on land in Pleasant Prairie to move its gas station offsite, doubling pump capacity and freeing space for about 133 new parking spots. The purchase advances plans to ease pump-line backups around the store.

Do it Best announced Wednesday it will move True Value’s headquarters from Chicago to Fort Wayne’s Electric Works, consolidating corporate teams and adding jobs. The shift is part of an ongoing integration of the two companies.

Austin‑based Base Power has launched in Chicagoland, opening a Bloomingdale warehouse and promising cheaper electricity with whole‑home batteries. The company says it will add about 50 local jobs.

International Paper will close its Aurora sheet plant and shut converting operations in Elk Grove and Barrington by the end of Q3 2026, shifting customers and capital. Workers and local officials are waiting for WARN notices and more detail.

Kroger says the Mariano’s at 6655 Grand Ave. in Gurnee will close on July 17; affected employees are being offered transfer opportunities.

Visitor numbers and hotel bookings improved in 2025, but Chicago remains short of its 2019 peak as officials push to win back international travelers.

A West Loop storefront is now a rotating showroom for online brands, mixing pop-ups, QR checkout and a café to let shoppers try before they buy.

Terry Duffy will move into an executive chairman role while Lynne Fitzpatrick takes the CEO job in early 2027, a handoff CME says preserves continuity after 25+ years of Duffy’s leadership.

Generac has acquired a Belvidere facility to expand packaging of large backup generators for data centers and expects to add roughly 100 jobs by Q1 2027.

Rivian cut hundreds of roles days after beginning customer deliveries of the R2 SUV as the EV maker trims staff while ramping production and expanding capacity.

Chicago drivers say quick oil changes at local Jiffy Lube shops left cars disabled and repair bills in the thousands. Complaints and BBB records are mounting.