Crain’s Headlines: Boeing Looks to Summer for 737 Max Approval


Bloomberg reports that Boeing is telling customers the grounded 737 Max jet won’t be approved to fly until June or July. That’s months later than previously anticipated.

The new expectations mean Boeing’s best-selling jet would miss the busy summer travel season for the second straight year. That’s likely to drive up the compensation that Boeing will have to pay airlines for delayed deliveries.

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The Max was grounded in March 2019 after two deadly crashes that killed 346 people.

In other Chicago-area business news:

Mayor Lori Lightfoot has opened up the latest grant round for the city’s Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, a financing program designed to foster small businesses outside the Loop. 

Lightfoot tells Crain’s she has tweaked the program launched under her predecessor, Rahm Emanuel. One change in the works: giving out the grants of up to $250,000 apiece as pure payouts, rather than requiring recipients to put up matching money. 

Lightfoot’s team notes there is currently $10 million up for grabs in the fund for neighborhood businesses on the South and West sides to get help with everything from land acquisition to fees associated with getting loans. Information about the grants and how to apply for them is available on the city of Chicago’s website.

And finally, 16 of Chicago’s top chefs and restaurants took home honors at this year’s Jean Banchet Awards, the annual celebration of Chicago’s culinary stars.

The tasting-menu restaurant Smyth, run by husband and wife John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, was named Restaurant of the Year in the latest competition.

Chef of the Year also went to a husband-and-wife team, Anna and David Posey, who run the Scandinavian-inspired Elske.

Both restaurants, located in the West Loop, also won at least one Michelin star last year.


Crain’s Headlines is a joint production between WTTW and Crain’s Chicago Business. It airs every Monday through Thursday on the WTTW News program “Chicago Tonight.” 


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