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1. LAST-MINUTE DEAL REOPENS GOVERNMENT
A potentially crippling U.S. debt default was averted late last night, as Congress passed legislation to end a political showdown that rattled financial markets, splintered the GOP and shut down the government. Though the government will reopen through Jan. 15, the agreement offers only a temporary reprieve, writes the Wall Street Journal.
— Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports on how the shutdown leaves the weakened economy facing new threats. 2. MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS OFFERS BUYOUTS
Hundreds of managers and senior-level employees are offered buyouts at Motorola Solutions' Schaumburg headquarters, as it pushes to reduce costs amid sluggish sales. Is it a precursor to layoffs? Crain's John Pletz has details. 3. WILL ILLIANA EXPRESSWAY GET GREEN OR RED LIGHT?
The final decision in a bi-state political brawl involving billions of dollars will come this evening, when a little-known but powerful panel is scheduled to vote on whether to endorse the proposed Illiana expressway. Crain's Greg Hinz reports on its chances. 4. HOW LIFE SPINE BECAME PATENT RICH
Crain's profiles Life Spine CEO Michael Butler, who tasks his Hoffman Estates-based workforce to come up with something identifiably new once a month, whether it's a breakthrough medical device or a tweak to one of the company's spinal surgery implants. 5. CHICAGO VENTURE FUNDING REBOUNDS
Third-quarter venture investment in Chicago companies dropped 13 percent from a year earlier, to $133.8 million. But that was more than twice this year's second-quarter total of $54 million, and the number of deals was up sharply. Crain's has more. 6. NEW U.S. ATTORNEY CONFIRMED
More than 15 months after Patrick Fitzgerald stepped down, the Northern District of Illinois officially has a new U.S. Attorney: Zachary Fardon, a partner at Latham & Watkins known for his role in the George Ryan trial, according to the Chicago Tribune and the Sun-Times. 7. ALLEGED SPENDING SPREES SEND TRUDEAU BACK TO THE SLAMMER
After allegations emerged that infomercial pitchman Kevin Trudeau had $12,000 gold-and-diamond cuff links, an exasperated federal judge ordered him jailed until he comes clean about his assets. The Chicago Tribune story is here. 8. SHOULD TRANSIT BOARDS BE COMBINED INTO ONE?
A consultant recommended yesterday that the Chicago area replace the RTA, CTA, Metra and Pace boards with one board driven by a regional focus rather than parochial concerns, according to the Sun-Times. 9. HOUSE-FLIPPING RISES, BUT TREND SLOWS
Chicago-area home flipping jumped in the third quarter, but the overall trend is slowing locally and nationally. Chicago Real Estate Daily looks at a new report on single-family homes that are bought and sold again within six months. 10. RONALD MCDONALD, BANKSY STYLE
British street artist Banksy is taking on McDonald's this week, unveiling a menacing Ronald having his giant shoes shined. It's part of the artist's residency on the streets of New York. More from Adweek.
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