Convention bureau puts businesses in view FDA: Irradiating spinach, lettuce OK to kill germs Leading economic indicators fell sharply in July The Birches get trimmed Ford's future Portfolio

Ford workers catch glimpse of future cars Labor Dept: Fewer workers killed on job in 2007 Amtrak, Illinois officials to discuss service American launches in-flight Internet on 3 routes Search hospital mortality rates: How does yours rate? Battling foreclosures Jewel, Berkot's to play for food Portfolio

Party photography Wholesale prices rising at fastest pace since 1981 Housing starts at lowest level since March '91 U.S. car brands stumble in satisfaction survey Portfolio

Developing a reputation Drivers' sickout has Pace limiting service Homebuilder sentiment index unchanged in August Small fire, smoke inside Westfield Chicago Ridge Mall Business People

On the job: Tom Kane The many sides of shopping for diamonds Biz list Menswear sales outpace women's business Business Calendar Stay-at-home moms are staying home even more

Regulars give last toasts to Jim's In Portfolio

1,000 apply for job at new Target store Industrial output up 0.2% in July on autos Portfolio

Family celebrates toy safety law FAA seeks $7M fine against American Airlines Illinois jobless rate increases to 7.3% Amerigroup pays $225M to settle fraud suit Consumer prices rise at double the expected rate Housing decline has some homeowners 'under water' Portfolio Fewer Americans hit the road in June

Fatburger plans September opening in Orland Park Best Buy is 1st independent iPhone retailer Ford exec: Company can weather downturn U.S. retail sales drop for first time in 5 months Mokena approves Hickory Creek water park Portfolio

Canoe Club gets new owner June trade deficit shrinks as exports climb Tech Test: Online Olympics is ambitious, but not TV Portfolio

Denny's, IHOP try to reclaim breakfast Guitar man

On the job Perk up with gourmet coffee Biz bits Biz calendar

Original Kazoo Co. stays true to name Lewis University is first to test solar utility vehicle Fannie Mae loses $2.3B in quarter as defaults rise Portfolio

When the soybean champ speaks, thousands listen Success talks Orland Hills residents complain about tardy construction projects Apparel retailers face tough back-to-school time Portfolio

Retailers amp up promotions for back-to-school SW Side market closed over mice droppings Lexus again tops dependability study Retailers report mixed sales results in July Lockport exploring creation of two TIF districts Portfolio

New economic leader: Will County thrives Fed holds off on rate cut Portfolio

Germ warfare in the office Russian steelmaker completes Esmark acquisition $2M settlement over Summit Superfund site Federal Reserve leaves funds rate at 2% 11 charged in connection with credit card fraud Service sector contracts as prices rise Trustees get Lincoln Mall financing request, delay action Portfolio

U.S. violin makers find voice as sales crescendo Blockbuster, NCR to deploy DVD vending machines Factory orders post biggest jump in 6 months Consumer spending after inflation drops in June Getting a southern exposure Business People

On the job: Richard Crowe Southland regaining its gusto? Schlitz is back Protect skin from the sun Biz Bits Going green a growing trend among homeowners Business Calendar

Shoppers buying more store brands Plastic security Ford, Toyota U.S. sales fall in July Portfolio

Debit card use rising; lifts Visa, MasterCard Ford on target to reach white-collar cuts Ford sales off 14.8% in July U.S. construction spending falls 0.4% in June Manufacturing flat in July; exports grow Jobless rate rises to 4-year high of 5.7% Small steps to a big impact Portfolio

Southlanders tuning up their bikes; parking cars A hospital's rebirth UPS nears agreement with drivers, handlers Economy gains traction in spring; shrank year end Portfolio

Say hello to MetroSouth July auto sales expected to keep downward trend Saving your bottom line one bulb at a time Portfolio

Re-enter the Dragon BP green lights Whiting refinery expansion Bennigan's ends with a late-night phone call Americans remain gloomy about the economy in July Mayor: Loss of Von Maur won't hurt New Lenox mall project S&P: Home prices drop by record 15.8% in May Portfolio

Hard work makes farmers markets work Motorola realigns itself for possible reverse spinoff Best Buy to open in-store music centers Record U.S. budget deficit predicted Rachael Ray going to the dogs with new pet food

On the Job: Lefko Stefanos Jon's Bakery to reopen Piano purchase requires key decisions DirecTV cuts through receiver interference Business Calendar

Patience now a virtual must for home sellers Chrysler to get out of leasing business Portfolio

Shiny new Penney New home sales drop 0.6% in June Ky. firm buys Chicago's Tampico Defense spending helps lift durable goods orders U.S. foreclosure filings more than double in 2Q Beecher supermarket to reopen as Walt's Area UPS workers brace for strike over pay, benefits Chicago-area home sales perk up in June Chicago-built Fords to get new fuel-efficient engine Portfolio

If you build it ... will they come? Illinois home sales rise 3.6% in June Ford posts $8.7B loss Southwest 2Q profit up, sales rise 11% Vast oil, natural gas reserves estimated in Arctic Portfolio Latest Development

Popular Wheatfield facing foreclosure sale Portfolio Take steps to deal with sexual harassment issues