DuPage Business Beat

Energy, Infrastructure, and the Future of Business Growth

In this episode of the DuPage Business Beat Podcast, Greg Bedalov sits down with Rick Trujillo, Director of Economic Development at Nicor, to explore how energy is shaping business growth, site selection, and long-term investment across Chicagoland. They break down the evolving policy landscape and how incentives, sustainability goals, and regulations are influencing where and how companies expand. The conversation also dives into the rapid rise of high-demand industries like AI, quantum computing, and data centers, and what those sectors require from an energy and infrastructure standpoint. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready [http://ChooseDuPage.com/Ready]. Thank you to our sponsor, Fastener SuperStore, Inc. Visit them at fastenersuperstore.com [http://fastenersuperstore.com] to easily purchase standard screws, nuts, bolts, rivets, and other fasteners in bulk.

Inside the 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club

A global event like the Presidents Cup takes years of planning, coordination, and collaboration. In this episode, Greg Bedalov sits down with Joie Chitwood, Executive Director of the Presidents Cup, John Duggan, Vice Chairman of Operations at Medinah Country Club, and Jim Hart, Vice Chair of the Host Committee, to discuss what it takes to bring the 2026 tournament to DuPage County. They break down why Medinah rose to the top as the host site, what goes into preparing for an event of this scale, and how local and regional partners are working together to deliver a world-class experience. The conversation also explores the broader impact of the Presidents Cup, from international visibility to the economic benefits expected across DuPage County and the greater Chicagoland region. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready [http://ChooseDuPage.com/Ready]. Thank you to our sponsor, Fastener SuperStore, Inc. Visit them at fastenersuperstore.com [http://fastenersuperstore.com] to easily purchase standard screws, nuts, bolts, rivets, and other fasteners in bulk.

Inside the Next-Gen Talent Shift

Attracting and retaining young talent can be a challenge for employers. In this episode, Greg Bedalov sits down with Laura Batterberry of Wight & Company and Phil Hardy of Benedictine University to examine what today’s emerging workforce expects and how businesses can adapt. They discuss shifting priorities among young talent, the impact of the pandemic on soft skills, and how technology has changed the way students learn and engage. Greg and his guests also explore the importance of early exposure to real work environments and stronger partnerships between employers and universities. The conversation looks at what companies can do to stay competitive, from improving onboarding to building clearer career paths, while also highlighting how higher education is responding through new programs, training, and networking opportunities. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready [http://ChooseDuPage.com/Ready]. Thank you to our sponsor, Fastener SuperStore, Inc. Visit them at fastenersuperstore.com [http://fastenersuperstore.com] to easily purchase standard screws, nuts, bolts, rivets, and other fasteners in bulk.

Inside Chicagoland’s Commercial Real Estate Reset

In DuPage, office vacancies remain elevated while industrial demand and data centers reshape the market. In this episode of DuPage Business Beat, host Greg Bedalov sits down with Jim Adler and Mark Moran, Executive Vice Presidents at NAI Hiffman, to discuss what is happening across Chicagoland’s commercial real estate market. Suburban offices continue to face high vacancy and limited new investment, while industrial properties remain comparatively stable. Growing demand for data centers, driven by AI growth and power availability, is influencing new development decisions across the region. Greg and his guests dive in and discuss capital markets, office supply challenges, rent trends, and property repositioning strategies. They also examine whether current conditions reflect a typical real estate cycle or a longer-term shift in workplace demand and location strategy across Chicagoland. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready [http://ChooseDuPage.com/Ready]. Thank you to our sponsor, Fastener SuperStore, Inc. Visit them at fastenersuperstore.com [http://fastenersuperstore.com] to easily purchase standard screws, nuts, bolts, rivets, and other fasteners in bulk.

Mission Critical: How One Organization is Putting Veterans in Business

In the years following WWII, about 49% of military veterans started their own business. For today’s veterans, that number has fallen to about 5-7%. What changed? Why the disparity? How does it impact today’s veterans? And most importantly, how can the community come together to change the status quo and put veterans back in business? On this episode, host Greg Bedalov joins two leaders from the Veteran Business Project to explore how they’re opening doors for veterans—and what we can all do to help. Special Guests * Lynn Lowder [https://veteranbusinessproject.org/about-us/board/charles-lynn-lowder/], Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Veteran Business Project * Dale Eisenberg [https://veteranbusinessproject.org/about-us/board/dale-eisenberg/], President and Co-Founder, Veteran Business Project Dive Deeper * As part of their mission, the Veteran Business Project owns and operates Rosie’s Home Cookin’, a retro diner in Naperville where the proceeds help benefit veterans and their families. Learn more about their new CityGate location here [https://www.choosedupage.com/news/naperville-favorite-rosies-home-cookin-will-soon-call-citygate-centre-home/]. * In this episode, our guests explain how creating communities and opportunities can help veterans overcome mental health challenges. For more on this subject, listen to our recent podcast episode “From Crisis to Recovery” [https://open.spotify.com/episode/2CZn45DUP90yNzPlX07kXs?si=c6a1d354680e4daf] , where we explore how DuPage County is reimaging mental health services. * Speaking of veteran business owners, listen to Episode 21 [https://www.choosedupage.com/podcast/the-skys-the-limit-a-conversation-with-john-calamos-sr/] to hear the incredible story of John P. Calamos, Sr., a former Air Force pilot who went on to found several successful businesses while giving back to his community. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready [http://ChooseDuPage.com/Ready].