Chicago-based United Airlines reported record third-quarter total operating revenue of $17.9 billion, a 17 percent increase year over year, driven by growth across all revenue categories and a record 49.5 million customers. The airline projects fourth-quarter revenue growth of more than 20 percent year over year.
Pending home sales fell 7.3 percent in September from August and 11.3 percent year over year, the National Association of Realtors reported, as surging mortgage rates cooled buyer demand across all four U.S. regions. NAR’s chief economist said rates may be nearing a ceiling but cautioned that energy-driven inflation remains a significant uncertainty.
Chicago-based TransUnion launched the first-ever adverse-actionable credit scores targeting synthetic identity fraud and credit washing, enabling lenders to make more informed decisions while giving consumers reason codes when credit is denied. The company estimates total lender exposure to synthetic identity fraud at $2.4 billion as of June 2026.
BMO Financial Group named Tim Cox as U.S. Country Head and CEO of its U.S. subsidiaries, effective Nov. 1, replacing Darrel Hackett, who is retiring after more than 22 years with the bank. Cox, who has served as U.S. General Counsel since 2022, brings a background in regulatory compliance and legal affairs to the role.
The Chicago Bears (4-2) shifted focus quickly from their 31-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons to a Thursday Night Football home game against the equally-matched 4-2 New England Patriots, with coach Ben Johnson emphasizing the need to string together consecutive strong performances. The Bears will again play shorthanded on defense, missing suspended DE Montez Sweat and injured DE Dayo Odeyingbo.
The Chicago Bears’ Week 7 Thursday Night Football game against the New England Patriots kicks off at 7:15 p.m. CT on Oct. 22 at Soldier Field, with national coverage on Amazon Prime Video, local broadcast on FOX32 and radio on ESPN Chicago. The game is also available for streaming through NFL+.
The Chicago Bears and PNC Bank named That’s Caring, a corporate gifting company from Elk Grove Village, as the second winner of the 2026 Small Business All-Pros program, which provides a four-week marketing partnership and community exposure to Chicago-area small businesses. Now in its seventh year, the program recognizes local entrepreneurs who drive economic growth and strengthen neighborhoods.
The Chicago-based MacArthur Foundation spotlighted “The Damage Done,” a reporting series by grantee Capital & Main documenting climate change’s human and environmental toll across Texas, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Colorado and California. The foundation has invested more than $610 million in climate solutions since 2014, funding 427 grants to 196 organizations.
Penguin Random House and the American Library Association’s United for Libraries division announced a 2027 grant program awarding $25,000 in cash grants and in-kind book donations to rural and small libraries across the United States. Applications open Dec. 8, 2026, and are limited to Friends of Library groups serving communities of 25,000 or fewer residents.
BMO Financial Group earned Gold-level certification from the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business’ PAIR program for the eighth consecutive year, an unprecedented milestone for a financial institution. The bank said the achievement reflects sustained efforts to create opportunities for Indigenous clients, employees and communities through initiatives spanning employment, financial empowerment and education.