Robert Channick

Robert Channick is a business reporter for the Tribune. A former broadcast consultant and radio station manager, he began freelancing for the Chicago Tribune in 2002, joining the Tribune staff as a business reporter in 2011. He has a bachelor's degree in English from Kenyon College and a master's in journalism from Northwestern University.

The Rivian electric vehicle plant in Normal, Illinois, on Oct. 16, 2024. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Rivian building $120 million supplier park in Normal to boost EV production

May 5, 2025 at 4:35 p.m.

Construction on the 1.2 million-square-foot supplier park is underway and expected to be completed in 2026, in time for the launch of the much-anticipated Rivian R2.

Demolition at the former Freedom Center site, making way for the Bally’s Chicago Casino in Chicago on Jan. 29, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

Gaming Board stops construction at Bally’s Chicago casino site over unauthorized waste hauler

May 2, 2025 at 5:47 p.m.

It was discovered that the construction project was using an unauthorized subcontracted waste hauler previously alleged to have had ties to organized crime.

People wait for takeout orders at Antique Taco in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood on April 30, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

Hollywood Casino food courts in Joliet, Aurora to get Stephanie Izard’s Goat, Antique Taco

May 1, 2025 at 11:49 a.m.

The food halls at the Hollywood casinos will include Lucky Goat, a new burger restaurant by celebrity chef Stephanie Izard.

A still from the DirecTV ad featuring Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson in a bald cap. (Jon Johnson/Pulse Films)

Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson goes bald in DirecTV commercial as it pitches streaming

April 29, 2025 at 9:01 a.m.

While the new commercial will seek a national digital audience, having a Chicago player in a starring role may help drive home DirecTV’s message about sports programming sans satellite dish...

People walk past Bally’s temporary casino in Medinah Temple in Chicago on April 11, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Bally’s Chicago files amended IPO eliminating women and minority investor requirement

April 28, 2025 at 3:54 p.m.

Casino executives say they are confident the IPO will pass muster with regulators and still meet a 25% minority investment requirement.

Chicago Bulls guard Kevin Huerter (13) fouls Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the third quarter of a play-in game at the United Center on April 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

CHSN may need to think outside the Comcast cable box with Bulls and Blackhawks done and White Sox struggling

April 19, 2025 at 9:36 a.m.

Six months after Chicago Sports Network launched, the channel remains blacked out for one million Chicago-area Comcast subscribers.

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business at the Gleacher Center on April 14, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Booth renaming executive MBA program after alum donates $100M

April 15, 2025 at 10:28 a.m.

A Russian-born entrepreneur and private equity investor whose career was launched at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business has given a $100 million donation to the MBA program.

The University of Chicago campus on Nov. 16, 2021. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Funded by $15 million gift, new training program for all Chicago police supervisors aims to reduce gun violence

April 11, 2025 at 2:33 p.m.

The Sue Ling Gin Foundation announced a $15 million gift Friday to develop a leadership and management education program for Chicago police supervisors.

President Donald Trump makes remarks during an ambassador meeting in the White House in Washington on March 25, 2025. Trump last month signed an executive order that targeted the prominent Chicago-based Jenner & Block law firm where Andrew Weissmann, who served in a senior role in an investigation into possible Russian interference in the 2016 election, once worked. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

Chicago-based law firm fights Trump executive orders

April 9, 2025 at 5:49 p.m.

In the escalating court battle between the Justice Department and major law firms over President Trump’s punitive executive orders, Chicago-based Jenner & Block is leading a counteroffensive.

Lobby of the Wind Creek Chicago Southland hotel in East Hazel Crest. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Wind Creek to open hotel Friday at Chicago area’s fastest-growing casino

April 10, 2025 at 12:21 p.m.

Wind Creek Chicago Southland is upping the ante Friday with the soft opening of its 255-room hotel.

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