AGP Executive Report

Consumer Protection: Illinois joined the FTC and 19 states in suing Dollar General, alleging the retailer repeatedly charged shoppers more than advertised prices despite complaints and internal warnings. Power and Data Centers: ComEd estimates grid upgrades for 30 data centers will cost $3.1 billion by 2031. Consumer advocates warn households and small businesses could bear some costs; ComEd says safeguards are in place. Manufacturing: Hyundai Translead’s planned Joliet expansion now aims to create 3,750 jobs, adding 1,250 to its earlier commitment and bringing its Illinois investment to about $600 million. Transportation: A $25.1 million federal grant will fund improvements to the Southern Illinois rail line between Evansville and Okawville. Retail: Convenience-store operators meeting in Lombard cited rising labor, utility and product costs, while pointing to foodservice and omnichannel sales as growth opportunities.

Infrastructure: Romeoville secured a $3.9 million federal grant covering 80% of repairs to the 135th Street bridge, with construction expected in 2031. A separate $25.1 million grant will fund improvements to the southern Illinois rail line between Evansville and Okawville. Business & Banking: Bloomington-based HBT Financial reported third-quarter net income of $31.4 million, up from $19.8 million a year earlier. Agriculture: Illinois farmers are facing harvest-season fuel costs as soybean prices hit a two-month low amid pressure from Brazil’s election and the U.S. harvest. Manufacturing: Hyundai Translead raised its planned Illinois investment to $600 million and added 1,250 jobs to its commitment. Energy: Ameren Illinois energized a Peoria solar-and-battery site, while consumer groups warn that data-center grid costs could put households on the hook for billions.

AI Energy Demand: National polling found 72% of Americans oppose data centers in their communities. In Illinois, consumer groups warn data center costs could fall on ComEd customers as demand strains the grid. Manufacturing: Hyundai Translead is increasing its planned Illinois investment to $600 million and adding 1,250 jobs to its commitment, expanding its Joliet operations. Agriculture: A Marissa fertilizer plant will receive $34.9 million in federal funding, supporting domestic fertilizer production. Illinois also renewed its cover-crop discount program for an eighth year. Transportation: The Illinois Tollway opened the first I-490 connection to the Tri-State Tollway, while a $25.1 million federal grant will fund Southern Illinois railroad improvements. Housing: The Chicagoland Apartment Association has expanded statewide and rebranded as the Illinois Apartment Association.

Farm Support: USDA announced $8 billion in Harvest Fuel Relief payments to help farmers cover a portion of modeled 2026 crop losses as input costs rise. Illinois also renewed its cover-crop discount program, while Chicago wheat futures logged another weekly decline amid expectations for ample global supplies. Manufacturing: Hyundai Translead expanded its Will County investment to $600 million, with tax credits supporting 3,750 jobs. A separate $34.9 million federal award will fund a Marissa fertilizer plant project as Washington backs more domestic fertilizer capacity. Transport & Infrastructure: The first segment of the new I-490 connection to the Tri-State Tollway opened, advancing a major suburban transport project. Southern Illinois rail improvements also received a $25.1 million federal grant. Energy Costs: A utility watchdog warns ComEd customers could pay billions for data-center hookups, adding to cost pressures on Illinois businesses and households.

Agriculture: The Illinois Crop Improvement Association has nearly doubled its seed-testing facility in Champaign with an 11,380-square-foot expansion and four additional acres. Food Supply: Bird flu has led to the loss of nearly 935,000 hens at a Clinton County egg farm, a blow that could tighten supplies and push prices higher. Transportation: The Illinois Tollway opened the first I-490 interchange link to I-294, improving access near O’Hare and Franklin Park. Manufacturing: A Marissa fertilizer plant is set to receive $34.9 million in federal funding, while Hyundai Translead plans to add 3,750 jobs in Will County with tax-credit support. Energy Costs: A utility watchdog warns ComEd customers could face billions in costs tied to data-center hookups. Factory Outlook: A telecom manufacturer plans to close its Rantoul plant in December.

Power & Data Centers: ComEd expects to spend $3.1 billion connecting data centers to its grid. A utility watchdog warns customers could bear some costs; ComEd says safeguards protect ratepayers. Manufacturing: A telecom equipment maker plans to close its Rantoul plant in December. Hyundai Translead, meanwhile, has raised its Illinois investment plan to $600 million and added 1,250 jobs. Infrastructure: A $25.1 million federal grant will fund Southern Illinois rail improvements, and the first I-490 connection to the Tri-State Tollway is opening near O’Hare. Energy & Agriculture: Ameren has energized a Peoria solar-and-battery site as harvest pressure weighs on grain prices. Retail: Mag Mile storefront vacancy fell to 25.8%, down from 33.8% in 2025, amid new leases and more than $250 million in landlord investment.

Fuel and Energy: A problem at ExxonMobil’s Joliet refinery sent Midwest wholesale gasoline prices higher. Illinois averaged $4.81 a gallon Friday, up 15 cents in one day, with regional inventories already low. Manufacturing: Hyundai Translead’s Joliet-area expansion is expected to support 3,750 jobs. At PACK EXPO in Chicago, manufacturers focused on automation, workforce shortages and sustainability. Power Grid: Ameren energized a solar-and-battery site in Peoria, as concerns grow that data-center demand could leave ComEd customers exposed to billions in grid costs. Illinois regulators also cut Nicor Gas’s requested rate increase by 63%. Freight: A $25.1 million federal grant will fund rail upgrades on 124.5 miles of track serving Southern Illinois and southwestern Indiana.

Manufacturing: Hyundai Translead has expanded its planned Illinois investment to $600 million and says its Will County operations will create 3,750 jobs. Chicago robotics startup Formic also raised $50 million to develop robots for a wider range of factory work. Energy and Data Centers: Data center proposals are drawing pushback over power bills, water and farmland. Consumer groups warn Illinois households could end up paying toward a projected $3 billion in ComEd costs, while Freeport held a meeting on local impacts and Mattoon considered a moratorium. Utilities: Illinois regulators cut Nicor Gas’ requested rate hike by 63%, a win for customers facing rising energy costs. Agriculture: A new federal program will direct about $1.3 billion to domestic fertilizer production, aiming to reduce farmers’ reliance on imports. Jobs: Illinois’ unemployment rate fell to 4.6% in September.

Manufacturing: Hyundai Translead increased its Will County investment to $600 million and plans to create 3,750 jobs—1,250 more than initially announced. A new training academy at Joliet Junior College will help prepare workers. Business Costs: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget proposal would raise the tax on many leases and cloud services from 15% to 20%; the city says the increase would generate $234 million, while small-business owners warn costs are already rising. Energy & Industry: Illinois Commerce Commission judges say ComEd has not justified the proposed size of its Lincoln Park substation. Meanwhile, Curion’s expanded Deerfield facility boosts onsite testing capacity by 50%, and Viakable plans a $55 million electrical-cable manufacturing expansion in Illinois. Infrastructure: New lanes have opened on I-294 between I-55 and Ogden Avenue as the tollway rebuild continues through 2027.

Farm Costs: Farmers are wary of using tax-exempt red diesel on public roads, saying the savings may not justify the risk of penalties once the temporary waiver ends. Affordable Housing: FHLBank Chicago awarded $5 million to 27 organizations for fellowships and internships aimed at growing Illinois and Wisconsin’s affordable-housing developer pipeline. Agriculture Innovation: Bayer’s Vyconic soybean, expected commercially in 2028, is designed to tolerate five herbicides, giving growers more weed-control options. Research & Manufacturing: The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center will use a $17 million investment to expand research capacity, while federal support for Chicago’s MxD highlighted the region’s role in manufacturing technology. Infrastructure: Aqua Illinois announced $40 million in Kankakee County upgrades, and the first segment of the new I-490 Tollway opened, advancing major regional utility and transport projects.

Clean Energy: Generate Capital and TurningPoint Energy celebrated a 3.5-megawatt community solar project in Sandwich, now supplying power and bill savings to 90 local residents and businesses. Water Infrastructure: Aqua Illinois announced $40 million in infrastructure investments across Kankakee County. Transportation: Pinsly Railroad Company acquired the Kankakee, Beaverville and Southern Railroad, while an Illinois River Cities initiative aims to expand maritime opportunities. Chicago Business: Stonepeak completed its acquisition of Chicago Parking Meters, which operates more than 38,000 spaces. Mayor Brandon Johnson also proposed a 15-cent tax on most package deliveries, pending City Council approval. Manufacturing: Viakable plans a $55 million electrical-cable manufacturing expansion in Illinois. Meanwhile, former Gerresheimer workers are seeking unpaid retention bonuses after the Chicago Heights plant closed. Energy and Development: A data center is proposed for the former Alton Steel site, as questions about community benefits and the power demands of data centers gain attention statewide.

Jobs and Manufacturing: Illinois’ unemployment rate fell to 4.6% in September, while Viakable plans a $55 million electrical-cable manufacturing expansion in the state. Energy and Utilities: The grid faces growing pressure from data centers, even as Ameren brings a solar facility online in Peoria; a new study also says protections for displaced energy workers fall short. Agriculture: Fertilizer costs are climbing ahead of the 2027 growing season, with researchers warning supply disruptions could keep prices elevated into spring. Transportation: The I-490 project near O’Hare is now projected to cost $4.3 billion, up from $3.4 billion, and finish in 2029—two years later than planned.

Airlines: Chicago-based United Airlines expects fourth-quarter profit below Wall Street estimates as higher fuel costs erode gains from strong travel demand and record revenue. Manufacturing: Viakable plans a $55 million electrical-cable manufacturing expansion in Illinois, while PACK EXPO International brought four days of industry innovation and connections to Chicago. Clean Energy: A 126-megawatt community solar portfolio is in development in Illinois and Maryland; Ameren also added $10 million to energy-assistance programs. Food Retail: Illinois announced $26 million in grants to improve grocery stores. Industrial Property: Brown Commercial Group arranged a 45,196-square-foot industrial lease in Bartlett. Transportation: Wisconsin secured nearly $220 million for passenger rail service linking Chicago with Madison and other communities.

Financial Services: Chicago-based TransUnion launched new credit-washing and synthetic-fraud scores that let lenders explain adverse credit decisions to consumers. Auto Repair: CCC Intelligent Solutions added calibration guidance to repair-estimating workflows, addressing growing complexity in advanced driver-assistance systems. AI and Data Centers: Schaumburg’s Kinetic Seas released three enterprise AI software platforms, while Fort Technology’s Logia USA secured a distributor covering Chicago-area counties for fuel-maintenance systems used in data centers and other critical facilities. Energy Costs: Ameren added $10 million to customer energy-assistance programs in Illinois and Missouri as Chicago gasoline prices topped $5 a gallon. Manufacturing: Italy-based Aermec North America plans manufacturing operations in DeKalb County, adding to Illinois’ industrial footprint.

Agriculture & Trade: U.S. soy suppliers are counting on consistent quality to sustain strong demand from Philippine feed buyers, a focus of the Soy Connext gathering in Chicago. Energy Transition: A University of Illinois report says the state’s Displaced Energy Workers Bill of Rights left nonunion Viper Coal workers with less support than unionized workers facing power-plant closures. Grid Investment: Illinois battery incentives could nearly erase the cost of a $3 million commercial storage system, as policymakers weigh support for energy storage. Manufacturing: Aermec North America plans to establish manufacturing operations in DeKalb County. Chicago automation company beRobox also introduced a robotic palletizer safety system at PACK EXPO. Utilities: Illinois regulators approved an $81 million Nicor Gas rate increase after cutting $139 million from the company’s request. Exelon is due to report quarterly earnings Oct. 30, with analysts forecasting a year-over-year profit decline.

Chicago Business: SenesTech says a 12-month rat-control pilot in Wicker Park-Bucktown cut measured rat activity 88%; the company also reported preliminary quarterly revenue of $1.1 million, its first above that mark. Technology Services: Accelerate Partners acquired Orland Park-based Cost Containment Solutions, adding its technology and energy sourcing expertise to the advisory firm’s platform. EV Manufacturing: Rivian and Redwood Materials expanded their partnership to recycle battery scrap from Rivian’s Normal plant and assess used EV batteries for storage or materials recovery. Markets & Energy: CME Group plans to launch tungsten futures in early 2027, pending approval. In Illinois, coverage focused on battery incentives and tax credits that could sharply reduce the cost of commercial storage; a $20 million solar energy center is also complete in northwest Peoria. Food & Beverage: Yido, a new Near West Side brewery, is making makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine, for Chicago’s growing craft-drink scene.