DuPage Business Beat

The Illinois Tollway Projects Shaping the Region

Transportation infrastructure plays a major role in how communities grow, businesses move goods, and regions stay connected. In this episode of the DuPage Business Beat Podcast, Greg Bedalov talks with Manar Nashif about the Illinois Tollway’s long-term vision for the future of mobility across Northern Illinois. As Chief Engineering Officer, Nashif oversees the agency’s engineering operations, including planning, design, construction, maintenance, and capital improvements across the Tollway system. The conversation highlights key updates from the Illinois Tollway’s capital programs, including Move Illinois and Bridging the Future, and explores how these projects are improving mobility, supporting economic development, and strengthening regional connectivity for businesses and communities throughout DuPage County and beyond. 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 [https://www.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.

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.