Alicia Peiffer is proud to call herself a "mom blogger" whose writings about her children’s special needs have caused support groups of parents with similar issues to spring up. Peiffer describes in her blog, Making Time for Mommy (MakingTimeForMommy.com), how she copes with 2-year-old Lucas’ autism spectrum disorder and 3-year-old Jacob’s processing delay issue s, "I believe if I’m open about it, I can help another parent or bring people together to connect," said the 28-year-old Plainfield resident and Orland Park native. "When I first got Lucas’ diagnosis, I didn’t know anyone who was dealing with the issue. I started …

The unemployment rate in the Chicago area fell to 9 percent in April from 9.5 percent a year earlier, according to a report released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security Thursday.

The first Dodge Darts to come out of a revitalized Chrysler plant in Belvidere were shipped to dealers this week, setting the stage for what chief executive Sergio Marchionne called the automaker’s "real battle" in the compact market. The 2013 Dart five-seat sedan, made at the northern Illinois assembly plant, has received good reviews from automotive analysts so far and will now be judged by consumers.

The first Dodge Darts to come out of a revitalized Chrysler plant in northern Illinois were shipped off to dealers this week, setting the stage for what chief executive Sergio Marchionne called the automaker’s "real battle" in the compact market.

Profits at big U.S. companies broke records last year, and so did pay for CEOs. The head of a typical public company made $9.6 million in 2011, according to an analysis by The Associated Press using data from Equilar, an executive pay research firm.

U.S. stock futures were mixed Friday ahead of the long holiday weekend on concerns over the lack of a concrete plan to keep Greece in the European currency union.

A Chicago commodities trader used millions of dollars in investors’ funds to support a lavish lifestyle that included luxury cars and a high-rise condo, leaving his clients short more than $4 million, the federal government charged Thursday.

Michael Ferro Jr., chairman of Sun-Times Media owner Wrapports LLC, unveiled new Sun-Times products that will feature fresh, colorful coverage ranging from society, fashion and gossip to business and sports, and he announced a new multi-million-dollar Sun-Times Foundation to help charitable causes.

Facebook’s rocky initial public offering hasn’t stopped life at the world’s biggest online social network. On Thursday, the company unveiled a camera app for the iPhone.

The annual shareholders meeting at McDonald’s Thursday is one of the fast-food industry’s most important changing of the guards in years — the last meeting presided over by CEO Jim Skinner, 67, who steps down June 30 after guiding McDonald’s through one of its most successful, yet change-embracing, periods.

McDonald’s shareholders soundly rejected a proposal by members of Corporate Responsibility that would limit the fast-food giant’s marketing to children, according to the Chicago Tribune: http://suntm.es/Lu0F5C

The average U.S. rate for the 30-year fixed mortgage fell to a record low for a fourth straight week. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the rate dipped to 3.78 percent. The 15-year mortgage held steady at 3.04, matching the record low hit last week.

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, gasoline prices will continue to put less of a hurt on your wallet thanks to the continuing plunge in oil prices, which dropped below $90 a barrel for the first time in seven months Wednesday. But travelers will pay more for hotels and airfares this holiday weekend.

Celebrity chef Rick Bayless, who has two restaurants at O’Hare International Airport, is hoping to land a spot at Chicago Midway International Airport.

Hewlett-Packard helped pull the Dow Jones industrial average to a slight gain Thursday, giving the index only its fourth gain this month. The Dow closed up 33.60 points at 12,529.75. Fears that Europe’s troubles could turn into a worldwide financial crisis have pushed the 30-stock average down 5 percent this month, erasing most of its gains for the year.

Facebook investors who assumed getting in on an IPO was a get-rich-quick scheme, just got a hard slap across the cheek, instead.