Brian Fabes

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee speaks Sept. 30, 2026, on the relationship between consumer sentiment and the economy. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Brian Fabes: Is the economy good for Chicagoans? It depends on your salary.

October 15, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

For Chicagoans who are thriving financially, the economy has never been better, but for those with lower incomes, life is precarious.

Mark Van Grinsven, of Civic Consulting Alliance, center left, and Joe Laipple, of Kintla, center right, work through a reentry simulation with other attendees during the Corporate Coalition of Chicago’s presentation on fair chance hiring June 13, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Brian Fabes and Maha Jweied: The Clean Slate Act is now Illinois law. Here’s why it matters to employers.

April 24, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Illinois employers don’t need to wait to reap the benefits of hiring workers who have been impacted by the justice system in their workforces.

An employer prepares a sign for a job fair at the United Auto Workers local hall in Belvidere, Illinois, in 2019.

Jeff Korzenik and Brian Fabes: Why we should give people with a criminal record a fair chance at getting hired

February 21, 2023 at 2:44 p.m.

Chicago just took a big step toward expanding individual opportunity and supporting a more vibrant regional economy. Rather than allowing even minor offenses from decades prior to derail a job...

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