Illinois is home to the first ever Dairy Queen in the United States! Though Dairy Queen now operates over 7,700 locations with more than 250 of those being in Illinois, DQ came from humble beginnings.

The key to Dairy Queen’s early success was the development of their unique soft serve. Developed by John Fremont McCullough and his son Alex, the soft serve was first put to market at an ice cream store in Kankakee, selling more than 1,600 servings in its first day. Inspired by the success, McCullough partnered with the ice cream store and went on to open the first Dairy Queen in Joliet in 1940. The store in Joliet was so successful it began the run of a mainstay in the American fast food market.

After its initial success, DQ expanded to a franchise model that grew to 100 stores by 1947, more than 1,400 by 1950 and 2,600 in 1955. A rapid success, soft serve ice cream is now a symbol of American culture and a classic pastime.

Still a designated landmark today, the original Joliet Dairy Queen serves as a testament to Illinois’ innovation and sweet success.

Site Selection Magazine – an international industry-leading business publication – released its annual corporate expansion and relocation rankings, naming Illinois No. 2 in the nation for corporate projects for the third consecutive year, and Chicago the Top Metro for the 12th year in a row.

Illinois saw 664 business expansion or relocation projects in 2024 (up from 552 in 2023).

Companies that located or expanded throughout Illinois in 2024 include:

• PsiQuantum: Serving as the anchor tenant of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, creating at least 150 new jobs and $1.09 billion in capital investment.

• Sysmex America, Inc.: Growing its operations in northeast Illinois, creating 110 new full-time jobs and retaining nearly 550 existing jobs through a $20.6 million investment.

• Aluflexpack AG: Expanding its operations to Bolingbrook with a $10 million investment and 30 new full-time jobs.

• Wieland Rolled Products North America: Investing $500 million, reinforcing its long-term commitment to six facilities across the state.

• Bedrock Materials: Locating its research and development headquarters in Chicago and plans to expand its footprint in Illinois with a $2.5 million investment.

• Ymer Technology: Opened its U.S. headquarters in Buffalo Grove with a $5.7 million investment.

In order to qualify, projects must meet one or more of these criteria: investment of $1 million or more, creation of 20 or more new jobs, or 20,000 square feet or more of new space.

Illinois’ strong fiscal growth has laid the foundation for continued growth in key industries outlined in Illinois’ Economic Growth Plan. With these targeted investments, the state is becoming a nation-leader in emerging industries including quantum technology, electric vehicle manufacturing, clean energy production, next-generation agriculture and more.

Imagine you are a small minority owned brewery in Chicago and the owner of Samuel Adams, Jim Kock, drinks your beer right in front of you and tells you that he can smell the hops exploding! Talk about a surreal moment!

For Funkytown Brewery co-founders Richard Bloomfield, Gregory Williams and Zachary Day, they did not have to imagine a moment like that, because it became their reality at the 12th Annual Samuel Adams Brewing and Business Experienceship Craft Beer Competition.

The three childhood friends from Oak Park entered into the competition among 50 other businesses and became finalists at the New York Crafting Dreams Beer Bash. Their victory sent them to the national competition, where they reigned supreme giving them access to mentorship, networking, and funding from Samuel Adams Brewing.

Funkytown Brewery is more than just craft beer. They build their business on values centered around culture and community involvement. They believe in making craft beer more accessible to women, Black people, and other demographics that are usually not at the top of the market minds of brewers.

.Funkytown started from small brew batches in their parent’s garage and is now sold at over 600 locations across the Chicagoland area and Wisconsin including Wrigley Field and the United Center. This September the co-founders will create a craft beer to showcase at the Great American beer Festival in partnership with the brewers at Samuel Adams’ Boston headquarters.

For more information about Funkytown Brewery and how they are using their entrepreneurship to give back to their community visit them here.

What was only meant to last one summer has now lasted for three quarters of a century! The Superdawg Drive-In in Chicago’s Norwood Park neighborhood celebrated its 75^th anniversary on May 2 of this year. The shop is known in the city as a historic destination hot dog stand with a full carhop service. This family-owned business has thrived for decades and has become a staple for residents and visitors alike. U.S. Representative Mike Quigley entered the anniversary into the official Congressional record on May 2. Additionally, 39th Ward Alderwoman Samantha Nugent unveiled an honorary street sign for the original owners called Maurie & Flaurie Berman Way. This sign will be in addition to the already existing and legendary “Superdawg Way” sign on the corner of Milwaukee and Highland avenues.

Flaurie and Maurie opened shop in 1948. What was only meant to be a summer hot dog stand turned into a long-lasting family business. Their daughter and her husband, Lisa and Don Drucker, and their son Scott Berman currently own Superdawg. Flaurie and Maurie were high school sweethearts who opened the stand as newlyweds. Their love for each other, their family and their hot dog stand is still clear today.

Throughout the entire month of May, Superdawg will be giving away $10 gift cards at random. If you are a fan of the Chicago-style hot dog or just a good burger, you should visit their locations today for the chance to win a gift card!

Do you like your eggs over-easy, scrambled or sunny-side-up? Well, any way you like them, you are guaranteed some of the best breakfast food in the nation at seven different restaurants in the Chicago area. OpenTable released its list for 100 Most Popular Brunch Spots in the U.S. using more than 13 million diner reviews. The top 100 span over 22 states, with Illinois claiming seven of the spots.

Whether you are a fan of pancakes, omelets or biscuits and gravy, Illinois has got you covered. The top seven best brunch locations include 3 Arts Club Café, Café Ba-Ba-Reeba, Summer House Santa Monica, The Dearborn, Beatrix and Mason Sabika. Beatrix is located in Oak Park and Meson Sabika is located in Naperville. The other five restaurants can all be found in Chicago.

Every location offers their own unique décor, ranging from humble café to chandeliers. You can dine indoors or outdoors at these breakfast locations. Some also serve dinner once the time for brunch is over. Menus may vary, but at every location you will find the classic pancakes and bacon with eggs.

Just in time for Mother’s Day, take your family down to some of the best brunch restaurants in town! See the full list of 100 Most Popular Brunch Spots in the U.S. here.