In the Headlines
 


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Chicago-based Callpod Rakes in Honors 

Chicago-based Callpod, maker of unique wireless electronic devices, rakes in top honors by taking home 3 CES Awards for 2009, including the coveted Best in Innovation Award, alongside last week's 2008 Innovate Illinois "Later Stage" Entrepreneurial Innovation Award. Clearly, they are doing something that nobody else is.


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Project opened on schedule and $6 million under budget: Mayor Richard M. Daley joined federal officials and civic leaders at O'Hare International Airport recently to commission a new air traffic control tower and Runway 9L-27R, the first new runway built at O'Hare since 1971.

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Chicago Keeps Growing

In today's challenging economic environment, good news can be found in Chicago's business community. World Business Chicago is happy to recognize companies that have announced an increased Chicago presence since September.



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Chicago-based Callpod, maker of unique wireless electronic devices, rakes in top honors by taking home 3 CES Awards for 2009, including the coveted Best in Innovation Award, alongside last week's 2008 Innovate Illinois "Later Stage" Entrepreneurial Innovation Award. Clearly, they are doing something that nobody else is.

It's not so often that a wireless electronics manufacturer in Chicago rises from the R&D phase to start swinging at the deep seats on the open market. But Darren Guccione, Craig Lurey and their crack team over in the west loop at Callpod HQ are doing just that. With products like the Drone, the Phoenix and the Dragon, you get the sense that science has clearly replaced fiction.

The CES Best in Innovation Award 2009 was handed down for Callpod's signature product, the Chargepod V2. The Chargepod V2 is a racehorce in the world of power management; a 6-way charging device that allows you to charge multiple cell phones, PDAs, headsets, and most other mobile electronics with a single power cord.

  

CES also honored Callpod for it's FuelTank & Drone product lines. Fueltank(TM) can simultaneously charge two small electronic devices without the use of an outlet. It contains a rechargeable lithium ion battery which has more than 7x the capacity of a standard mobile phone. The Drone, on the other hand, is a plug and play VOIP and Stereo Bluetooth(R) USB adapter that can connect to any PC or Mac. It will immediately connect with your Bluetooth headset or headphones and provide streaming music and voice over a 100 meter (328ft) range.

The meticulous detail of Callpod's focus on the consumer, as well as the technology, plays a large part in their current and future successes. They make products for the business road warrior as well as the more home-networked inclined. Callpod handles their entire R&D, design, production & marketing in-house. They literally have their fingers on every single detail of the operation. They are thinking of the things that competitors don't... and their products demonstrate as such. From the Phoenix mobile conferencing unit, to the Dragon Bluetooth headset with the same 100 meter range, Callpod excels in the business of unique.

  

Callpod was also presented with a hefty accolade last week as Winner of the 2008 Innovate Illinois "Later Stage" entrepreneurial competition, a program jointly administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) alongside the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC).  This award is yet another indicator that Callpod is attracting the type of talent, and growing the types of jobs, that keep Chicago on the world's stage for technology-driven innovation and design.

In recognizing the winners, DCEO Director Jack Lavin noted, "Innovate Illinois is one of several programs in the state that was created to help funnel some of the innovative products and services that are being developed by promising Illinois entrepreneurs into the marketplace, creating jobs and helping to build the Illinois economy. I am pleased to join our partners at the CEC in honoring these individuals today."

"More than 130 companies applied to this competition," said David Weinstein, President of the CEC. "All of them are either planning or implementing innovative products, services or processes that will have a lasting economic effect on Illinois."

Chicago-based Callpod is surely one to watch. No doubt, there will be many lucky individuals over the holidays as online orders for their products are on the rise.

-Dan Lyne
Director, Technology Development
World Business Chicago

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New Runway Opens at O'Hare, Under Budget
Project opened on schedule and $6 million under budget

Mayor Richard M. Daley joined federal officials and civic leaders at O'Hare International Airport recently to commission a new air traffic control tower and Runway 9L-27R, the first new runway built at O'Hare since 1971. WBC Executive Director, Rita Athas, joined Mayor Daley and WBC Board Member Glenn Tilton, CEO of United Airlines, among others at the inaugural flight.

The $457 million project, which is part of the comprehensive O'Hare Modernization Program (OMP), opened on schedule and $6 million under budget.

"This is an historic day for Chicago, the State of Illinois and the millions of people who depend on O'Hare International Airport every day to move people and goods around the world," Daley said in a ceremony held at O'Hare.

"If we're to succeed in the global economy, we must continue to improve our city’s quality of life and take the steps that secure our city's economic future," he said.

"Modernizing O'Hare is important because it is the state's economic engine," the mayor said.

Last year, the airport handled 76 million people and over 925,000 flights. It generated 450,000 jobs and $38 billion in economic activity.

"O'Hare is our connection to the rest of the world. Its efficient operation is essential to our ability to compete in the global economy and to make Chicago the kind of place where people want to live, work and raise a family," Daley said.

However, despite all of O'Hare's success in moving people and goods across the world, one fact is painfully clear -- O'Hare is not only one of the world's busiest airports, but it is also one of the most delayed airports.

"Moving forward with the OMP is necessary to protect the long-term economic health of our region, and to do that we must do something about the delays. The new runway does just that," he said.

New Runway 9L-27R is 7,500 feet long, 150 feet wide, and is equipped to land planes as large as a 747. It will be a Category II/III runway, which is the best available for landing planes in inclement weather.

With the addition of this new runway, O'Hare will be able to land three planes simultaneously in bad weather conditions. The ability to do so makes O'Hare more efficient and reliable. According to FAA analysis, the addition of Runway 9L-27R will reduce delays at O'Hare to an average of 16 minutes per flight, while adding 52,000 flights annually.

The addition of this runway has also led the federal government to remove flight caps that have reduced the number of arrivals at the airport since 2004.

The new control tower was needed to manage operations on the new runway. It is the most environmentally friendly tower ever constructed. Most notably, the new tower features a 10,000-square-foot green roof on top of the administrative building, making it the first of its kind in the country.   

"For the past 60 years air travel has evolved into the preferred method of moving people and goods across the globe. In Chicago, we realize the critical role O'Hare has in the national aviation system. That is why we are fully committed to investing in O'Hare's infrastructure, to reduce the delays that have plagued the airport for decades, and to prepare for future demand," Daley said.

"Now, more than ever, we must work together to keep our region's economy strong, our men and women at work, and rise to meet the demands of the 21st century," he said.

"The addition of a new runway at O'Hare airport greatly enhances our ability to attract domestic and international companies to do business in Chicago," said Rita Athas, executive director of World Business Chicago. "The city's unparalleled access to the world via O'Hare and Midway is a key factor in businesses choosing Chicago, and O'Hare's modernization is a very strong selling point for the city."

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Chicago Keeps Growing
In today's challenging economic environment, good news can be found in Chicago's business community. World Business Chicago is happy to recognize companies that have announced an increased Chicago presence since September, including:

AirNet Systems, Inc., an aviation services company based in Ohio, announced the relocation of its primary hub and sort operations to Chicago.

Allied Waste has opened an $8 million construction and demolition (C&D) debris recycling facility in Chicago, processing as much as 1,500 tons of recyclables each day.

Amada America Inc., a subsidiary of Amada Co. Ltd., Japan, will open a 133,000-square-foot center for sheet metal fabricating equipment in Schaumburg.

Atlas Material Testing Technology LLC will relocate its accelerated weathering laboratory to an expanded “Center of Excellence” at Atlas’ World Headquarters in Chicago; the new 4,000-square-foot facility is expected to be completed in 2008.

Biggs Gilmore Communications Inc., a Kalamazoo-based advertising agency specializing in integration of offline and online marketing strategies, opened its first Chicago office.

Cargill Inc. is building a $22-million biobased polyols manufacturing plant in Chicago. The new plant will make Cargil's BiOH brand soybean-based polyols - an ingredient that replaces petroleum-based chemicals traditionally used in polyurethane products.

Crate & Barrel Inc. has agreed to lease most of a vintage loft building on the Near West Side, where the retailer will move its nearby catalog photo studio and establish a new headquarters for its CB2 division.

Cricket Communications, Inc., a leading provider of unlimited wireless service, will hold six job fairs throughout Chicagoland to recruit a large, local team to support its entry into the Chicago market in 2009.

Des Plaines Office Equipment recently celebrated the opening of its new downtown branch/showroom at 211 W. Wacker Drive.

DMG, a German turning and milling technology company, has invested heavily in the U.S. market, opening a technology center in suburban Itasca, employing 120; the company is also planning to open an aerospace center of excellence in Chicago.

FiberNet Telecom Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:FTGX), a leading provider of complex interconnection services, has extended its network reach to Chicago and Miami.

Freudenberg Household Products, the German maker of O'Cedar brand mops and other household cleaning items, leased a 525,000-square-foot warehouse in Aurora.

Greenhill & Co., Inc. (NYSE: GHL), a leading independent global investment bank, plans to expand its U.S. operations with the opening of a Chicago office focused on industrial clients as well as other major companies based in the Midwest.

HighPoint Solutions LLC, a premier provider of business-driven IT solutions expanded its presence in the Chicago area by opening a new office at 8750 W. Bryn Mawr.

Intouch Solutions Inc., a Kansas City-based digital marketing communications agency, opened its first Chicago office at 150 N. Michigan Ave.

Kimberly-Clark Corp. has agreed to lease a 750,000-square-foot distribution center in Romeoville, in the Chicago area's biggest new industrial lease of the year so far.

LinkedIn Corp., a fast-growing networking Web site for professionals, opened an office in downtown Chicago with a six-person sales staff.

Mesirow Financial, a diversified financial services firm based in Chicago, has added 30-34 people in its Chicago headquarters.

MHF Logistical Solutions Trucking & Drayage Division (MHF Trucking & Drayage), an owner-operator network offering drayage and trucking services, has opened a terminal in Chicago.

Nordex USA Inc., the US headquarters of Nordex AG of Germany, a major global developer and manufacturer of wind turbines, established its operations in the Loop.

Penske Truck Leasing announced the opening of its new 24,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility, in the Chicago suburb of Elk Grove. The 7.5-acre location will employ 60 associates.

Porter Airlines inaugurated international service between Toronto City Centre Airport (TCCA) and Chicago Midway International Airport, the only carrier offering service between these two airports.

Schuff Steel-Midwest, a division of Schuff International, Inc. (OTC: SHFK), the largest steel fabrication and erection company in the United States, expanded its operations and opened a new office in Chicago's John Hancock Center.

Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation (NASDAQ:SSCC) celebrated the opening of its new Chicago-area container plant located in New Lenox, IL.

Sword ciboodle, international provider of customer-oriented business software and services, announced it has established its North American headquarters in Chicago. The office will initially be staffed by key U.S. sales and operations personnel, with further expansion via a major recruitment drive over the next 12 months.

Ziegler, a Chicago-based financial services firm, expanded its niche investment banking practices (healthcare and senior living finance), its institutional sales & trading teams and financial advisors, adding 17 jobs in Chicago.

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In the Headlines
Beginning with this month's edition of Economic Focus, Chicago by the Numbers will be replaced by a new section: In the Headlines. This new format will shine a spotlight on a few key indicators that are making headlines and are of particular importance in the current economic environment. The detailed table formerly found in this section -- Chicago by the Numbers -- will continue to be available online in WBC's News Room. For a broader range of metropolitan area data and statistics, please visit WBC's online Info Center.



In both August & September 2008, the number of employed persons in the Chicago Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) declined -- by a total of nearly 75,000 workers. At the same time, the unemployment rate dropped by a full percentage point.

While it is true that fewer people are classified as "unemployed" (308,300 in September, down from 365,800 in July), another factor is also contributing to the declining rate.

Since July, the MSA's civilian labor force has declined by about 132,000 workers. That is, federal labor definitions classify them as neither "employed" or "unemployed" -- they are either (a) considered "discouraged workers" who are no longer making efforts to become employed or (b) unavailable to work due to illness/school attendance/etc. These individuals are no longer being counted in the unemployment rate calculation.



Home sales (single-family + condominiums) in the Chicago metro area continue to account for nearly 2/3 of statewide sales volume, despite having fallen measurably relative to figures cited a year ago (see chart). After posting September figures only 6% lower than in 2007, the metro area saw a -18% drop in October 2008, essentially on par with the balance of the state of Illinois (-16%).

Median sale price for metro-area homes has remained about 30% higher than that of Illinois overall, but has been experiencing similar levels & patterns of change relative to this time last year:



Quarterly figures broken out by county & unit type (single-family vs. condominium) for Q3 2008 can be obtained from the Illinois Association of Realtors.


(1) Figures are not seasonally adjusted and reflect the 14-county, 3-state Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), comprised of Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry & Will Counties in IL; Jasper, Lake, Newton & Porter Counties in IN; & Kenosha County in WI. (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
(2) Chicago PMSA figures are for the 9-county Illinois portion of the MSA outlined in (1) above. (Illinois Association of Realtors)

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