Chicago's first Native American affordable housing complex breaks ground
Why it matters: Chicago's metro area has the third-largest urban Native American population in the United States, about 65,000, WBEZ reported last year.
Driving the news: Mayor Brandon Johnson joined developers last week for a land blessing at Jigzibik, an apartment building in Irving Park that will have 45 affordable units for Native American residents.
Jigzibik is a Potawatomi word for "at the river's edge."
Zoom in: Each unit will have a balcony so residents can burn sage, Shelly Tucciarelli of Visionary Ventures, a Native American housing advocate, tells Axios, and they are working on getting native plants for a rooftop garden.
Apartments range from studios to 3-bedrooms amenable to multi-generational households.
Prices will be based on the low-income tax credit rate at the time when the building is completed next fall.
Follow the money: The Department of Housing contributed more than $6 million to the project, Chicago Housing Commissioner Lissette Castañeda said.
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Axios
35 minutes ago
- Axios
Spotify user growth soars, but social charges impact profit
Spotify's user growth blew past investor expectations in its second-quarter earnings report out Tuesday, a sign of just how much a pivotal court ruling against Apple in the U.S. boosted Spotify's business. Why it matters: Spotify has spearheaded pushing global regulators to take a closer look at how Apple's policies impact competition. "Obviously we would love to see what happened in the U.S. be expanded to Europe and other markets as well," CEO Daniel Ek told Axios in an interview Tuesday. Yes, but: The company also reported its first quarterly loss in a year, citing "social charges," or higher taxes in certain countries related to employee compensation awards. Shares of the audio giant fell 10% in early trading in response to weaker third-quarter forecasts due to those social charges. Zoom in: Spotify chief financial officer Christian Luiga said the social charges will fluctuate with the company's stock price, making it hard to predict. Still, Luiga said he supported Spotify's compensation plan. "We think it's a good model to have a share-based program with our employees, and it's been successful over the years," he said. The company's third-quarter profit forecasts are based on the company's share price at the end of the second quarter. Shares of Spotify have surged more than 50% so far this year. Zoom out: Spotify posted its first full year of profitability in 2024, a huge feat for the Swedish company, which was founded nearly two decades ago. Investors have been eager to see how well the tech firm can maintain and grow its margins as it invests more in new products and technology, such as audiobooks and artificial intelligence. Between the lines: One area that the company is hoping will help drive margins are improvements to its ads businesses. "We missed our internal expectations on ads," Ek said, reflecting on the quarter. "We're not too happy about that, so we're taking actions there." On Monday, Spotify parted ways with its ads lead Lee Brown, which sources said was a mutual decision. Brown led Spotify's ads team for nearly six years. While the business has grown to roughly $2 billion in annual revenue, it hasn't grown as fast as Spotify's premium business. Premium subscriber revenue grew 12% year-over-year last quarter, while ad-supported revenue declined 1%. "I still feel great about the strategy, but on the execution side, we should have been able to do better," Ek said. "In the spirit of transparency, that was perhaps the biggest low point of the quarter, relative social charges and currency [exchange rates], which are out of our control." By the numbers: Spotify's premium subscriber base jumped 12% year-over-year last quarter to 276 million globally, ahead of analyst expectations. Its monthly active user base grew 11% year-over-year to 696 million globally, also ahead of analyst expectations. The company attributed that growth to successful marketing campaigns in select developing markets and favorable competitive dynamics in certain markets, like TikTok Music shutting down. Its revenue and operating income came in short of investor expectations, mostly due to social charges and currency exchange headwinds. Because the company is Swedish and reports in euros, currency exchange rates tend to impact its earnings more than U.S. companies. Between the lines: A bright spot for Spotify's financials last quarter was that its gross margin finished at 31.5%, up 227 bps year-over-year, driven mostly by revenue growth outpacing music and audiobook costs. Short-term financial headwinds such as currency exchange rates and social charges have less of an impact on the company's gross margin, Luiga said. Long term, the company has said that it wants its gross profit margins to land between 30%-35% consistently. It's achieved that goal for the past four quarters. What to watch: Spotify spent more on marketing last quarter, but Ek said that investment was worth it because the company is becoming more efficient in how it spends its customer acquisition dollars.
Politico
3 hours ago
- Politico
Don Tracy considers governor bid
Good Tuesday morning, Illinois. Brace for it. Colbert cancellation could mean more Trump jokes, not fewer, reports WBEZ's Mike Davis Illinois Playbook at the Hideout on Aug. 7 featuring Congressman Mike Quigley. Details here TOP TALKER 2026 INTRIGUE: A familiar Republican name is eyeing the 2026 governor's race. Don Tracy, the former chair of the Illinois Republican Party, confirmed to Lee Enterprises' Brenden Moore that he is actively considering a bid for the state's top job. 'I'm taking a hard look at it,' Tracy told Moore, noting he's been 'making some calls' and that 'several people' have urged him to throw his hat into the ring. The potential candidacy comes at a time when the Illinois GOP is in a prolonged wilderness stretch, failing to win a statewide race in nearly a decade. Tracy may be the Republican to change that. He's a Springfield attorney and businessman with ties to the party's donor class. And though he stepped down as chair last year, Tracy's name still carries weight in Republican circles. It wouldn't be easy. Incumbent Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, a billionaire with virtually unlimited resources and a finely tuned political operation, announced in June that he will seek a third term. The governor has already signaled an aggressive campaign that focuses on attacking extremism. THE BUZZ SILLY SEASON: It turns out Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry isn't endorsing fellow Commissioner Donna Miller's bid for Congress after all. Last week, Miller's campaign trumpeted endorsements featuring suburban mayors and 10 of her County Board colleagues, including Lowry. It seemed like a show of unity. Not so fast. After seeing our report on the endorsements, Lowry's political spokesperson said he's not endorsing Miller, or anyone, in the IL-02 congressional race for the seat now held by Rep. Robin Kelly, who's running for U.S. Senate. The back story: More than a year ago, Lowry agreed to endorse Miller if she were to run for Congress, and she in turn would endorse him if he ran for Cook County Board president, according to folks in both their camps. But since Board President Toni Preckwinkle is seeking reelection, Lowry's not running. Preckwinkle, meanwhile, is backing state Sen. Robert Peters in the race. He said, she said: Lowry's team said they notified Miller's team in May about the non-endorsement. But Miller's team says Lowry's team signaled earlier this month that he was supporting her. The takeaway: In Illinois politics, alliances can be fragile and timing is everything. If you are Bill Lowry, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@ WHERE'S JB At Lessie Bates Senior Circle Cafe in East St. Louis at 11 a.m. to hold a roundtable discussion addressing SNAP cuts WHERE's BRANDON At City Hall at 9:30 a.m. for his regular media briefing — At the Rainbow Push Coalition at 6 p.m. for the Community Youth Lakeside Chat Where's Toni No official public events Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email skapos@ BUSINESS OF POLITICS — In IL-09: Daniel Biss has been endorsed by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim in his bid for the open IL-09 congressional seat. 'Daniel Biss is a tough advocate and effective leader for the people he has served,' Pappas said in a statement. 'He has been responsible with public money and made smart investments for his communities.' — In IL-02: The IAM Union, formally known as the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, has endorsed Robert Peters in the IL-02 congressional district race. Peters is a state senator who chairs the Illinois Senate Labor Committee. — State Sen. Sue Rezin, who serves as deputy Republican leader, is returning to the trail. 'After a lot of thought and discussions, I have decided to run for reelection to protect taxpayers' pocketbooks, strengthen public safety and keep and grow good-paying jobs right here at home in the 38th Senate District,' she said in a statement. Rezin has been serving in the General Assembly since 2010. Her launch video is here. THE STATEWIDES — Gov. JB Pritzker signs two more gun control measures: One requires Illinoisans to more quickly report lost firearms, and another mandates law enforcement agencies statewide participate in a federal gun tracing platform, by the Tribune's Olivia Olander and Jeremy Gorner. — Hospitals are scaling back trans care for youth. A rapid response team is stepping in: 'The team has a network of practitioners in Illinois who don't rely on payments from the federal government, which threatens to cut funding to gender-affirming care providers,' by WBEZ's Kristen Schorsch. — Rate increases, express lanes, new highways considered in tollway's latest strategic plan: 'Board directors on Monday approved a 20-year road map that intertwines road building and repairs with 'innovation, equity and sustainability,' by the Daily Herald's Marni Pyke. — ComEd closes $10M customer relief fund after 70,000 applications, by the Tribune's Robert Channick CHICAGO — Chicago Public Schools official tells families budget cuts will mean changes on their campuses: 'Students may see fewer hot school meals, delays in updating technology, fewer crossing guards and other changes,' by Chalkbeat's Mila Koumpilova. — Restaurants feeling impact of tariff uncertainty, policy shifts: 'New ordinances have required Chicago restaurants to give workers paid time off and higher hourly wages. Cook County property taxes have risen, and rents alongside them. Add in broad economic factors, and Chicago restaurants' labor and product costs have increased more than 35 percent since 2020, according to the Illinois Restaurant Association,' by Crain's Ally Marotti. COOK COUNTY — Rolling Meadows hopes for redevelopment near Bears' potential new home: 'The visibility of this location is really important as far as a gateway into and out of our community, and especially knowing what might be coming in the future down the road, that may make this site a highly desirable development site,' City Manager Rob Sabo said, by the Daily Herald's Christopher Placek. SPOTTED — Illinois Atty. Gen. Kwame Raoul hosted a fundraiser Monday at Joy District in Chicago for Virginia Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones. In the room: Congresswoman Robin Kelly, New York Attorney General Letitia James, former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, State Rep. Kim duBuclet, Ald. Matt Martin, former state Sen. Jacqueline Collins and former state Sen. Majority Leader James Clayborne. TAKING NAMES — Lenny Innocenzi, a restaurateur and community leader, has received the Highland Park Community Foundation's Jack Blane Community Service Award, named for longtime public servant Jack Blane. The award recognizes residents 'who go above and beyond in their dedication to the Highland Park-Highwood community.' Innocenzi is the former owner of Buffo's in Highwood and helped establish Highwood Days. — George Lucas finally comes to Comic-Con to give a preview of his new museum, by The Associated Press' Andrew Dalton Reader Digest We asked what mascot besides an elephant and donkey you'd choose for the major political parties. Michael Churchill: 'Pangolin because it would help raise awareness about endangered species that need our protection.' Cynthia Ann Given: 'Tiger because it's independent and represents strength, courage and strategic thinking.' Kent Gray: 'Niffler, from Harry Potter, for the Democratic Party.' Lucas Hawley: 'The capybara for an anti-war or anti-interventionist party because it is peaceful and a friend to all.' Jim Lyons: 'A female kangaroo. The pouch ... to store envelopes.' Joseph Monack: 'A capybara because it brings peace and joy.' Dennis Rendleman: 'For Independents, the pangolin. They are passive — their defense is to roll into a ball — and endangered, making them the most trafficked animals in the world. Other than eating only insects, they sound like Independents.' Charlie Schlenker: 'A mugwump.' NEXT QUESTION: Is it better to work inside the system for change, or challenge it from the outside? KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION — Durbin demands tapes of Ghislaine Maxwell interviews: 'The top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee also pressed the Justice Department for a promise that Maxwell will not be pardoned for her cooperation in matters related to the Jeffrey Epstein files,' by The New York Times' Annie Karni. THE NATIONAL TAKE — Federal employees can pray and preach in the workplace under new Trump rules, by POLITICO's Gregory Svirnovskiy — Trump, breaking with Netanyahu, acknowledges 'real starvation' in Gaza, by POLITICO's Myah Ward IN MEMORIAM — Hall of Famer and Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg dies after battle with prostate cancer: 'Sandberg still holds the modern-era franchise record for runs scored (1,316). Among right-handed hitters, he leads the pack in career singles (1,624) as a Cubs and triples in a single season (19 in 1984),' by the Sun-Times' Maddie Lee. TRANSITIONS — Tom Carney has been named assistant secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation. He's the former commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation. — Devin Carpenter is now a partner in Honigman's Litigation Department. He joins from DLA Piper. EVENTS — Tonight: Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is hosting a Community Town Hall featuring Democratic AGs Letitia James (New York), Keith Ellison (Minnesota), Peter Neronha (Rhode Island) and Nick Brown (Washington). Topic: The impact of federal actions on Illinois. RSVP here — Tonight: Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) will host a town hall at Aurora University's Crimi Auditorium starting at 6:30 p.m. — Tonight: State Sen. Bill Cunningham and state Reps. Mary Gill and Rick Ryan will host a 'Healthcare is a Human Right Town Hall' at 5:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Park Public Library in Chicago. — Wednesday: It's National Cheesecake Day, and Eli's Cheesecake will be passing 45-cent slices at its Forest Preserve Drive location and free slices at three locations around Chicago. Here's where you can find them. TRIVIA MONDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Brandon Lee for correctly answering that the late California Sen. S.I. Hayakawa wrote for the Chicago Defender during the 1940s. TODAY's QUESTION: Which Arlington Heights native and DePaul basketball alum spent a season coaching the Chicago Rockers of the Continental Basketball Association? Email your answer to: skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ashley Jenkins-Jordan, the chief of staff for Illinois Senate President Don Harmon; Yusuf Nekzad, legislative director for Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski; broadcaster Sam Brief and former NBA star and Farragut Academy alum Tony Brown. And belated greetings to Kieran Lawless of Sen. Dick Durbin's office, who celebrated Monday. -30-
Axios
3 hours ago
- Axios
NatureSweet campaign goes viral for honoring Mexican farmworkers
NatureSweet, a San Antonio-based produce company, is spotlighting the stories of its Mexican farmworkers one tomato at a time. Why it matters: As U.S.-Mexico trade tensions escalate, the campaign puts a human face on cross-border agriculture, letting consumers see the people behind their produce. Zoom in: Since 2018, NatureSweet's "Associates Under the Label" program has featured QR codes on its tomato, cucumber and pepper packaging, which are sold nationwide. Scanning the code opens a video profile of a farmworker — complete with a name, sketch portrait and video interview. Many employees discuss the pursuit of education for themselves or their children. Featured workers are based in Mexican states like Nayarit, Colima and Jalisco. The latest: The campaign gained new attention in June amid ICE-related protests across the country and after a TikTok post by @yocelim_catalan drew more than 500,000 likes. "This is the level of brand marketing I'm trying to see, especially as we see our Hispanic communities torn apart and labeled as criminals," TikTok user @yayago2 replied to the video. What they're saying:"The program was inspired by a simple but powerful idea: Agricultural workers deserve to be seen," NatureSweet spokesperson Lori Castillo tells Axios. "The stories we share transcend borders and partisanship — they're about dignity, opportunity and hard work." NatureSweet has been certified by the Equitable Food Initiative since 2016 and became Fair Trade-certified in 2021 — meeting hundreds of standards on labor conditions, food safety and worker wellbeing.
