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The article focuses on transportation in Illinois. The Regional Transportation Authority's director, Steven Schlickman says the Illinois Legislature has not passed a capital funding bill in nearly a decade, leading to a 'deteriorating' transportation system. According to a report, congestion on area roadway costs Chicagoans $7.3 billion annually. As stated, for Chicago's business leaders, the ongoing expansion of O'Hare International Airport continues to be a top priority.

The article reports on the reaction of some local executives towards the Smoke-Free Illinois Act, that bans smoking in public places in Chicago, Illinois. Real estate developer Jonathan Malm informed how the law will impact his social interaction with his friends and business colleagues. Advertising executive Ryan Lemonier reported how the law will end his leisurely meal at places such as bars, restaurants, and private clubs.

The article presents information on the residential real estate industry of Chicago, Illinois. According to the author, spring is traditionally the residential real estate industry's busiest time. But with mounting inventory and a dearth of buyers, this selling season promises to be one of the most painful in memory for agents. Paul Kasriel, chief economist at Chicago's Northern Trust Co., notes that as property listings are multiplying, the pool of potential buyers is shrinking in Chicago, Illinois.

The article reports that with markets and economy reeling, many Chicago, Illinois companies' share prices are tumbling. Of 134 local companies in an index tracked by Bloomberg LP, 30-including Playboy Enterprises Inc. and Tenneco Inc. had market capitalizations below $250 million. The descent toward penny-stock territory for many Chicago companies illustrates how sour overall investor sentiments has turned and the growing likelihood that recession will slash corporate in 2009.

The article reports on the increasing gas prices and the weakening economy affecting the automobile industry and trade in Chicago, Illinois. Businessman Soko Dimitri says that business has dropped by about half and his shop now has only 2 workers from 5 in the beginning of 2008. Shop owners are blaming the high gas prices and the recession for their losses. Shop owner Chris Bournes says he has reduced prices to retain cash-strapped customers to face the situation, which is draining his profits.

The article reports that the financial industry's slump is roughing up Diamond Management & Technology Consultants Inc. based in Chicago, Illinois. Shares of Diamond are down 61% over the past 12 months, among the worst performances for information technology service providers. Financial services and insurance clients, such as Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Allstate Corp., account for about 52% of Diamond's annual revenue.

The article reports that the share price of executive recruiter Heidrick & Struggles International Inc. has dipped amid subprime mortgage losses. Shares of Chicago, Illinois-based Heidrick are down by 32% over the lasd 12 months amid subprime mortgage losses that have led Citigroup Inc., Merrill Lynch & Co. and Washington Mutual Inc. slashing staff. Analysts estimate Heidrick's per-share profit in 2008 will drop to $2.61, down 12% from $2.97 in 2007.

The article reports that the stock market's slump in the summer of 2007 has created some buying opportunities among shares of Chicago, Illinois, companies. Allstate Corp., Boeing Co., McDonald's Corp. and Northern Trust Corp. are among local names dragged down in the recent slide, triggered by a subprime mortgage meltdown that sent the Standard & Poor's 500 Index slipping. However, analysts say many of these companies will weather the recent market upheaval.

The article offers information about the views of some executives regarding the growth of wireless phone service provider U.S. Cellular Corp. in Chicago, Illinois. According to Patrick Elgrably, an analyst with Morningstar Inc. in Chicago, despite sales growth, U.S. Cellular's profitability continues to lag behind that of its competitors. According to John Rooney, CEO of U.S. Cellular Corp., the days when the market was growing at 20% a year are gone.

The article presents information on business forecasting of Vasco Data Security International Inc. in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois based on its financial performance till April 2007. The company has surged 47% growth in 2007, showing a seven-year high performance of $19.10 on April 4. Its U.S. sales accounted for 10% of Vasco's 2006 revenue.