Shanzeh Ahmad

Shanzeh Ahmad is a general assignment reporter on the business desk. She has a master’s degree in journalism and public affairs from American University in Washington, D.C., and previously lived in Madison, Wisconsin, where she worked at the Wisconsin State Journal.

Former Signature Room coworkers Victor Valentine, center, and Gabriel Montesinos greet each other at a celebration with UNITE HERE Local 1 outside 875 N. Michigan Ave., the building formerly known as the John Hancock Center, after the owner of the restaurant was found liable and ordered to pay over $1.5 million in back pay and benefits, March 28, 2024. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Business |
Former Signature Room workers owed $1.5 million after abrupt closure, federal judge rules

March 28, 2024 at 7:01 p.m.

A federal judge issued a default judgment against the restaurant's management firm, Infusion Management Group Inc., after the company failed to respond to the lawsuit.

Echo Global Logistics, a transportation and supply chain management firm, takes up 185,000 square feet at 600 W. Chicago and became the building's second-largest tenant with about 1,100 employees.

Business |
Former Groupon headquarters renamed for Echo logistics firm, now the second-largest tenant

March 26, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.

Echo Global Logistics, a transportation and supply chain management firm, takes up 185,000 square feet at 600 W. Chicago and became the building's second-largest tenant with about 1,100 employees.

Business |
Hamburger Helper, kitchen mainstay since the ’70s, looks to stay relevant with help of local innovation center

March 26, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Eagle Foods, a Cleveland-based company that purchased Hamburger Helper from General Mills in 2022, is refreshing the brand and opened a new innovation center in Buffalo Grove.

A person walks past the Blommer Chocolate Company at 600 W. Kinzie St. in Chicago on March 22, 2024. The company plans to shut down the Chicago factory after 85 years. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Business |
Blommer Chocolate’s downtown Chicago factory to close

March 23, 2024 at 1:21 p.m.

Blommer Chocolate is closing its downtown Chicago factory following plummeting sales and increased maintenance and repair costs for the 85-year-old building, the company announced Friday. Built in 1939, the brick...

Asrai Garden has been open in Wicker Park for nearly 25 years. The shop also had locations in Ukranian Village and West Loop during its long run.

Business |
Asrai Garden, a Wicker Park mainstay for flowers and more, to close March 31 after 25 years

March 7, 2024 at 2:40 p.m.

Asrai Garden has been open in Wicker Park for nearly 25 years. The shop also had locations in Ukranian Village and West Loop during its long run.

The strike is set for March 14 to call attention to staffing concerns amid a breakdown in contract negotiations.

Business |
Nurses at UChicago Medicine plan one-day strike

March 4, 2024 at 6:13 p.m.

The strike is set for March 14 to call attention to staffing concerns amid a breakdown in contract negotiations.

The first notification shortly before 11 a.m. informed of a train scheduled to depart the 93rd Street South Chicago station at 10:45 a.m. that was delayed.

Transportation |
Metra service being restored after earlier delays; evening commuters could still see disruptions

February 27, 2024 at 1:33 p.m.

The first notification shortly before 11 a.m. informed of a train scheduled to depart the 93rd Street South Chicago station at 10:45 a.m. that was delayed.

Maryum Ali visited Villa Park's Islamic Foundation, whose school gym was renamed in honor of the athlete and activist.

Education |
Daughter of Muhammad Ali celebrates suburban mosque’s 50th anniversary with a ceremony to honor the boxing legend

February 22, 2024 at 3:33 p.m.

Maryum Ali visited Villa Park's Islamic Foundation, whose school gym was renamed in honor of the athlete and activist.

The restaurants, which include locations in Bucktown and River North, have struggled financially since breaking off from Maple & Ash.

Business |
Etta restaurant group files for Ch. 11 following closure of River North location

February 16, 2024 at 6:06 p.m.

The restaurants, which include locations in Bucktown and River North, have struggled financially since breaking off from Maple & Ash.

The lack of a widespread strike by ride-share drivers at O'Hare Airport Wednesday meant many travelers had no trouble getting rides.

Transportation |
Some Chicago ride-share drivers took part in Valentine’s Day strike, but for many it was business as usual

February 14, 2024 at 7:04 p.m.

The lack of a widespread strike by ride-share drivers at O'Hare Airport Wednesday meant many travelers had no trouble getting rides.

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