WFLD - Business

CTA rolls back some controversial Ventra fees

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:58:00 EDT

CTA Ventra payment card holders who use the card's controversial debit features won't be charged for talking to public transit customer service operators or using the cards for cash ATM withdrawals.

City Council to hear Emanuel`s parking meter proposal

Anita Padilla — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:32:00 EDT

Some aldermen have questions as a City Council committee gets ready to hold a hearing on Mayor Emanuel's proposed changes to the Chicago parking meter deal.

Travelers take to the road, airports this holiday weekend

Joanie Lum — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:40:00 EDT

Things are going to be very busy at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport this weekend. Many travelers will also hit the roads for Memorial Day, and they'll pay the price at the pump.

Jury sides with Donald Trump in Chicago condo trial

Tisha Lewis — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:21:00 EDT

An 87-year-old grandmother took on billionaire Donald Trump. And on Thursday - she lost.

Lawmakers seek disaster declaration in 16 counties

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:53:00 EDT

Illinois' congressional delegation has asked President Obama to add 16 Illinois counties to the list of those eligible to receive disaster aid after last month's flooding.

Yahoo looks to regain its cool with Tumblr deal

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:15:00 EDT

After falling woefully out of fashion, Yahoo wants to be cool again while catering to the capitalistic demands of its shareholders. That goal led CEO Marissa Mayer to make a $1.1 billion bet on online blogging forum Tumblr...

12 Ill. players close to $600M Powerball jackpot, single winner sold in Fla.

Sun, 19 May 2013 11:50:00 EDT

One number in Saturday night's Powerball drawing was the difference for a dozen Illinois players between being $10,000 richer and living the life of a multi-millionaire - whose ticket was purchased in Florida.

RECALL: Plastic found in some Nestle Pizza Company frozen pizzas

Fri, 3 May 2013 09:07:00 EDT

Nestle Pizza Company in Wisconsin is calling back an undetermined number of frozen pizzas, after complaints of consumers finding small pieces of plastic on them.

Deals site LivingSocial hacked, users should change passwords

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:35:00 EDT

Online deals service LivingSocial said Friday that its website was hacked, and the personal data of more than 50 million customers may have been affected.

Exxon-Mobil found liable in NH groundwater pollution trial

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 14:21:00 EDT

A jury in New Hampshire has found the oil company Exxon-Mobile liable in a long-running lawsuit over groundwater contamination.

Boeing planning $1 billion expansion in SC

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 12:07:00 EDT

The Boeing Co. is expanding in South Carolina, announcing it will invest $1 billion and create 2,000 new jobs over the next eight years.

Federal officials warn of tax fraud as April 15 deadline approaches

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 14:15:00 EDT

Federal officials say recent arrests for alleged income tax crimes are a good reminder to the public to file taxes on time and in accordance with the law.

Caterpillar laying off more than 400 at Ill. plant

Fri, 5 Apr 2013 14:21:00 EDT

Caterpillar Inc. says it plans to lay off more than 460 employees this June at its plant in Decatur.

Store charging customers fee for 'just browsing'

Adam Zielinski — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:50:00 EDT

A store in Australia is charging its customers even if they don't buy anything.

Study says 37% of working moms now want full-time jobs

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:29:00 EDT

A new poll shows a shift in the wants of working mothers. The Pew Research Center said there's a big spike in the amount of women who want full-time jobs.

Soaring gun sales mean big profits for Smith & Wesson

Wed, 6 Mar 2013 12:48:00 EST

Smith and Wesson said profits for the second quarter have tripled, and it is now raising its outlook for gun sales for the rest of the year.

Home and Housewares Show brings the new gadgets to Chicago

Patrick Elwood — Mon, 4 Mar 2013 11:06:00 EST

The International Home and Housewares Show has come to Chicago, with the latest gadgets and technology to make our lives easier.

Nestle finds horse meat in beef pasta meals

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 08:55:00 EST

The world's biggest food and drinks maker Nestle SA has become the latest company to pull some of its products off European shelves after they were found to contain undeclared horse meat.

Report: Google stores to open before Christmas

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 18:37:00 EST

You could soon see Google stores popping up to compete with Apple stores.

Obama to stress jobs; troop withdrawal in State of the Union address

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:23:00 EST

To focus on nation-building at home, Obama's State of the Union address will call for more spending on infrastructure and manufacturing, while announcing the withdrawal of 34,000 troops from Afghanistan within a year.

Lean Cuisine mezzaluna ravioli may have glass: Recall

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:24:00 EST

Lean Cuisine issued a recall Tuesday for its popular "Culinary Collection Mushroom Mezzaluna Ravioli."

(UN)just Hair: Can we be fit and fashionable at the same time?

Robin Robinson — Wed, 6 Feb 2013 22:47:00 EST

Has anything changed since we first reported on the dilemma facing women with naturally curly hair?

Triaminic, Theraflu recalled due to faulty kid safety caps

Fri, 1 Feb 2013 12:21:00 EST

The company that makes Triaminic and Theraflu are recalling more than 2 million bottles after four kids were able to open the child resistant caps and accidentally drink it.

US gains 157K jobs; jobless rate rises to 7.9%

Fri, 1 Feb 2013 10:34:00 EST

U.S. employers added 157,000 jobs in January and hiring was much stronger at the end of 2012, providing reassurance that the job market held steady even as economic growth stalled.

What's on a consumer credit report?

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:03:00 EDT

While most people realize that their personal creditworthiness is tracked on something called a credit report, few know much about it or their scoring system.

Why you need a will

Mon, 20 May 2013 09:00:00 EDT

Wills are not only for the wealthy or the old. Every adult should have one.

6 things you think add value to your home - but really don't

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:13:00 EDT

Certain projects, such as adding a well thought-out family room can be a wise investment, as they do add to the value of the home. Other projects, however, allow little opportunity to recover the costs when it's time to sell.

How the 2014 Obama budget could affect your finances

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:08:00 EDT

Depending on which estimate you believe, Obama's proposed budget would raise the tax bill of a household with a yearly income of $50,000 to $75,000 between $63 and $100 per year. However, that's not all you should know.

How to handle and prevent identity theft

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:54:00 EDT

Every year, identity thieves misuse the personal information of more than 11 million Americans. This makes identity theft one of the fastest-growing crimes in the country.

Browser extensions that save you money

Fri, 10 May 2013 17:14:00 EDT

There is a widening range of online tools that have been designed to help save hard-earned cash. The following Internet browser extensions have achieved popularity among consumers, thanks to a series of unique and practical benefits.

Financial considerations for college grads moving home

Thu, 2 May 2013 09:21:00 EDT

Tips for making the transition work for everyone.

Will Obama's chained CPI help keep inflation from eating into your savings?

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EDT

This week we examine ways in which inflation nibbles away at your retirement income, especially in light of the President's proposal for Chained CPI adjustments to Social Security.

Why you need an emergency fund

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EDT

An emergency fund will help see you through an unexpected and potentially costly life event, such as a health crisis, a job layoff or a major home repair.

Save money for Mother's Day, or any day

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EDT

Whether you've always wanted to take mom to Mexico or splurge on a day at the spa, here are some easy tips for saving up dinero for Mother's Day and all year round!

News Corp. OKs poison pill, buyback before split

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:58:00 EDT

News Corp. said its board of directors has approved plans to split its entertainment and publishing businesses into two separate companies. The company also adopted a shareholder-rights plan designed to prevent a hostile...

FDA warns of infections tied to Tennessee pharmacy

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:28:00 EDT

Health officials are investigating cases involving patients who suffered complications after being injected with potentially contaminated medications made by a Tennessee specialty pharmacy.

Barrick fined $16m for Pascua-Lama violations

Fri, 24 May 2013 18:38:00 EDT

Chile's environmental regulator blocked Barrick Gold Corp.'s $8.5 billion Pascua-Lama project on Friday and imposed its maximum fine on the world's largest gold miner, citing "very serious" violations of its...

Schumer urges look at security in Sprint deal

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:38:00 EDT

Sen. Charles Schumer urged regulators to "use extreme caution" when reviewing the proposed acquisition of No. 3 cell carrier Sprint Nextel by Japan's Softbank, saying the Japanese company's use of Chinese networking...

Stocks barely budge; market ends week with loss

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:18:00 EDT

Major stock indexes closed out their first weekly loss in a month in quiet trading Friday.

Netflix looks to hook subscribers with 'Arrested'

Fri, 24 May 2013 16:59:00 EDT

Netflix is hoping this weekend's release of the resurrected TV series "Arrested Development" will draw more subscribers to its Internet video service.

Delta ups the ante in battle for NY travel market

Fri, 24 May 2013 16:48:00 EDT

Delta's formula for winning over New York travelers is simple: floor-to-ceiling windows, abundant power outlets and a burger joint with a cult-like following.

Stocks fade, post first weekly loss in a month

Fri, 24 May 2013 16:19:00 EDT

Stocks prices are closing mostly lower on Wall Street, giving the market its first weekly loss in a month.

Oil ends week down 2 pct on tepid demand outlook

Fri, 24 May 2013 16:08:00 EDT

The price of oil fell 2 percent this week, as oil traders worried about global demand and shared the stock market's concerns about possible changes to the Federal Reserve economic stimulus program.

Venezuela to create new workers militia

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:28:00 EDT

Venezuela's president has ordered the creation of a new workers' militia to defend the country's "Bolivarian revolution" at a time when the government faces economic problems and political turmoil.

The secret to a long life? Hard work

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 09:30:00 EDT

Avoid stress, be optimistic, retire early, hit the gym and you'll thrive, right? Nope. New research has discovered that a long career of hard work is the key to a long and successful life.

Harsh winter weather drives up auto insurance claims

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 15:28:00 EST

There are more auto insurance claims during the cold weather months than during any other time of the year. Here are a few things you can do to stay safe this winter.

Drivers more likely to get tickets during economic slowdowns

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:40:00 EST

With severe budget cuts forcing cities and states to increase revenue, some police departments are filling the gap by citing more drivers for speeding and other moving violations.

Is your property protected if someone breaks into your car?

Mon, 5 Oct 2009 09:29:00 EDT

If personal items are stolen from inside your vehicle, car insurance will not cover you -- you'll need to file a home insurance claim to recoup your losses.

Is your kid college-bound? It could save you a fortune on car insurance

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:19:00 EDT

Sending a child away to college is ridiculously expensive, but when a child leaves for college, parents can save hundreds of dollars by updating their car insurance.

Buying vs. renting: How do your insurance needs change?

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:32:00 EDT

Your insurance needs change drastically when moving from a home to a rental, and prospective renters should take a long, hard look at those insurance needs before they move.

Parents: It's time for a back-to-school insurance review

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:47:00 EDT

It's back-to-school time, and while you're probably thinking more about homework than homeowners coverage, the new school year is a great time to review your insurance needs.

Safeguarding your summer fun with home insurance

Fri, 29 May 2009 15:49:00 EDT

Summer has officially arrived and what a wonderful time it is. Before you fire up the grill and gear up for the spring and summer months, take a few moments to make sure that your home insurance policy covers all of your outdoor needs.

10 things home insurance won’t cover

Fri, 29 May 2009 13:23:00 EDT

It's important for every homeowner to know the ins and outs of his or her home insurance policy. Here are 10 perils that most standard home insurance policies won't cover.

Get ready to ride: Motorcycle insurance basics and four ways to save

Thu, 14 May 2009 16:10:00 EDT

As the weather improves, more motorcycle riders are hitting the roadways. No matter what you ride, there are some basic types of coverage that you must have.