Recently in Economy Category

In today's Sun (Sun., 5.4) we spotlight the local effect surging food prices are having on Naperville shoppers. Some food stores are doing their best to juggle rising costs and consumer concerns, but they wonder how long they can last. Shoppers are worried, too, as we cite the plight of one mom who is making more peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for school lunches and using less meat. No matter the product, our report shows how virtually every food stuff has risen dramatically in price, from bread to butter to kid juice-packs. We'd like to know how you're coping with rising food prices and whether it's impacting the menus that wind up either in the kids' lunch boxes or what goes on the table for dinner. Have you changed your grocery store buying habits? Tell us right here.

A gallon of gas costs $3.43 around town today, and the price of oil is setting new records, hitting $110 a barrel. How are the high gas prices affecting you? Are you changing your driving habits because of them?

On Wednesday members of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce head to Springfield. They're scheduled to meet with House Minority Leader Tom Cross, Attorney General Lisa Madigan and others to talk about legislative priorities. What topics do you think ought to be on the agenda?

It was Black Monday for employees of Warrenville-based Neumann Homes, who all lost their jobs when the company decided to seek bankruptcy protection. What does this say about the housing market, and the economy overall?