Can Chicago condo buildings ban smoking in owners’ units? Some buildings are making the change. We talk with Crain’s Chicago Business real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin about that, the new disclosure rules coming, and the latest trends in the housing market.

The famed frenzy of open outcry trading that filled the Chicago Board of Trade’s pits for more than 80 years will cease Monday. The closure of most of the futures pits comes as most futures are traded electronically these days. Eddie Arruza visited the CBOT and has the latest.  

Chase bank will no longer take more than a little loose change from customers -- a move they say is in the name of customer service. But some customers are outraged, including Robert Reed, who wrote a column for Crain's Chicago Business. He joins us to lament the decline of banking services for retail customers. 

Once the world's largest specialty apparel chain, Gap Inc. will now be closing 175 locations nationwide. Why will it shut down a quarter of its fleet? We talk with Crain's Chicago Business reporter Brigid Sweeney.

For the first time in 30 years, a brand-new factory has opened in the historic Pullman neighborhood. We took an inside look at how the Method soap is made and find out why it’s so important to the neighborhood. 

For the first time in 30 years, a brand-new factory has opened in the historic Pullman neighborhood. We take an inside look at how the Method soap is made and find out why it’s so important to the neighborhood.

Just why did the city's bond rating get downgraded to junk status by one ratings agency? A Moody's official speaks out. Paris Schutz has the details.

Moody’s Investors Service has issued a “credit negative” warning against the state in light of last Friday’s State Supreme Court ruling rejecting changes to public pensions. It’s a somewhat tepid response to the ruling, relative to the double ratings drop Moody’s applied to city of Chicago’s credit, resulting in junk bond status. In today’s report, Moody’s says the reforms could have reduced the unfunded pension liability by about $21 billion. 

Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded the credit ratings of both Chicago’s schools and parks, one day after its downgrade of the city’s debt to junk status.

Moody’s downgraded the city of Chicago’s credit rating to junk status, leading Mayor Rahm Emanuel to call the credit rating agency “out of step” and its decision “irresponsible.”

Every year Americans leave almost $15 billion on the table by failing to claim Social Security benefits they are entitled to. The co-author of a new book and surprise best-seller, Get What's Yours: The Secrets to Maxing Out Your Social Security, is in the studio with tips on how to make sure you get everything you are owed.

Demonstrators in Chicago and around the United States are protesting Wednesday for a $15-an-hour minimum wage. Organizers said workers in other countries would also rally, claiming it’s the largest-ever international demonstration by workers.

Walgreens is closing 200 stores in the U.S. -- the most the company has done at once. The cost-cutting move comes as a result of the merger with Boots Alliance. Crain's Chicago Business retail reporter Brigid Sweeney has the latest details.

Oak Brook-based McDonald's on Wednesday announced its plans to raise starting pay at 1,500 company-owned stores to $1 above the local minimum wage and offer paid time off after a year of work -- but some labor advocates say the company isn't doing enough. Northfield-based Kraft has been bought out by billionaire investor Warren Buffett and the Brazilian group 3G Capital, who plan to merge the company with Heinz. We'll talk about those stories with Crain's Chicago Business reporter Peter Frost.

Construction on the long-awaited “606” elevated bike trail is nearing the finish line. We get a sneak preview.

McDonald's is making some sizable changes to its menu hoping to lure more health-conscious consumers. We hear the latest from Crain’s Chicago Business reporter Peter Frost.