AGP Executive Report

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.

Agriculture: USDA raised its U.S. soybean production forecast to a record, while trimming Illinois’ corn yield estimate to 208 bushels per acre—six below 2025. Logistics Workforce: Illinois transportation and warehousing employers filed 79 H-1B petitions in 2025, up 25.4% from the year before; 77 were approved. Energy Costs: Illinois regulators cut $139 million from Nicor Gas’ requested rate increase. Separately, tax credits could nearly cover the cost of a $3 million commercial battery, as a developer pitched an energy-storage facility in Manteno. Manufacturing: PACK EXPO International brought four days of industry showcases to Chicago, including packaging equipment designed to clean one production line while another keeps running, and boilers with real-time remote monitoring. Industrial Real Estate: A Romeoville logistics property spanning more than 716,000 square feet sold to Michelin North America for $151 million.

Manufacturing: CuBE Packaging is investing more than $30 million in Illinois production, while TMW’s $35 million Red Bud expansion is expected to add jobs. A Rockford-area career expo is also connecting students with local manufacturers. Energy: Illinois tax credits could nearly erase the $3 million cost of a commercial battery project, as the ICC approved an $81 million Nicor rate hike. Arevon has secured long-term clean-energy contracts for its 200-megawatt Illinois solar project. Agriculture: Illinois farmers can qualify for insurance-premium savings by planting cover crops this fall, supporting the state’s nutrient-loss reduction efforts. Labor: Stellantis workers began a two-day vote on whether to authorize a strike, putting labor relations in focus across the auto industry.

Agriculture: Illinois farmers can apply for fall cover-crop insurance discounts of up to $5 an acre for 2027 crops; funding covers 190,000 acres and is first-come, first-served. Clean Energy: A $20 million solar energy center is complete in northwest Peoria, adding to the state’s renewable power supply. Manufacturing: Stellantis workers have begun voting on a strike mandate as contract talks remain stalled. Utility Costs: The Illinois Commerce Commission approved a reduced $81 million Nicor rate increase, less than the company sought. Food Production: CuBE Packaging is investing more than $30 million to expand production in Illinois. Trade: Illinois hosted Mexican corn buyers to strengthen export ties.

Clean Energy: A $20 million solar center is complete in northwest Peoria, while Illinois regulators approved an $81 million Nicor Gas rate increase. Transportation: Metra’s draft $9 billion plan would bring 15-minute service to more routes and build a regional rail network; Wisconsin also secured $218 million for passenger rail linking Chicago and Madison. Manufacturing: Illinois packaging company CuBE Packaging is putting more than $30 million into a plant expansion, and Richardson Electronics is expanding local battery-storage manufacturing with ComEd and state support. Data Centers: Gov. JB Pritzker says data-center legislation remains in play, as debate continues over power demands and community impacts. Commercial Property: Zara founder Amancio Ortega bought a 51-story Chicago tower for $550 million. Agriculture: Illinois hosted Mexican corn buyers to strengthen export ties, and the state opened a $1.8 million grant program for local food infrastructure.

Workforce & Housing: Illinois employers say the housing shortage is making it harder to recruit workers, adding pressure to an already tight labor market. Transit & Freight: Metra’s draft $9 billion plan envisions trains every 15 minutes on some routes and more regional connections. Separately, a $218 million federal grant will advance passenger rail between Chicago and Madison while improving a freight corridor used by manufacturers and farmers. Energy Costs: Illinois regulators approved an $81 million Nicor Gas rate increase after trimming $139 million from the utility’s request, keeping business energy bills in focus. Agriculture: Illinois hosted Mexican corn buyers to strengthen export ties, while growers report good commercial pumpkin quality despite a wet season. State guidance also clarifies recordkeeping rules for farmers using dyed diesel under temporary penalty relief. Manufacturing: Richardson Electronics is expanding battery-storage manufacturing in Illinois with support from ComEd and the state.

Utility Rates: Illinois regulators approved an $82 million Nicor Gas rate increase, well below the company’s $139 million request, under a settlement with the state attorney general. Agriculture: Gov. JB Pritzker is making farm visits as Illinois producers contend with lost export markets and rising costs. The state has also opened a cover-crop insurance savings program for 2027. Manufacturing: CuBE plans to invest more than $30 million in Illinois food-packaging production, adding to the state’s industrial base. Clean Energy: Arevon secured long-term renewable-energy credit contracts for an Illinois solar project, while the state seeks feedback after falling short in a large-scale battery-storage procurement. Richardson Electronics is also expanding Illinois battery-storage manufacturing with ComEd and state support.