Revised bank plan could save Geneva’s Pure Oil building

GENEVA — The 1930s-era Pure Oil Co. service station is closer to being converted for bank teller drive-through lanes.

On Tuesday, the Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved new plans that would convert the former gas station’s three service bays for use as drive-up service lanes, …

Aurora aldermen weigh in on tattoo shop licensing

AURORA — At a meeting Tuesday, some aldermen said they aren’t pleased with all of city staff’s recommendations for tattoo licensing rules. Under a proposed ordinance, tattoo shops would have to pay a $500 licensing fee to the city, a $250 annual renewal fee and …

Kane Board considers lowering road impact fee

Kane County officials have a question for local municipalities regarding their road impact fees: they want to know what they charge developers, and how the charge affected growth.

County officials renewed their road impact fee ordinance for a five-year basis recently, but they are given …

Fundraiser will feature cocktails on Batavia’s Clark Island

For your favorite cocktail on the island: Combine a picturesque view of the Fox River and the ambience of friendly conversation in downtown Batavia. Stir in soothing music with appetizers and mingle for three hours. Top with a sparkling night sky.

The Batavia MainStreet is …

Many employers plan a typical day at the office during NATO Summit

For some it’s an opportunity to work from home in their PJs. For others, it will translate into free lunch and paid time off. For many, it’s still a question whether they’ll work in the office or at home during the NATO summit. But most employers contacted by the Chicago Sun-Times said their workers can expect a typical day at the office, despite transportation headaches, protesters and stepped-up security.

Dow Jones average continues a two-week slide

Europe’s latest political impasse cast a gloom over financial markets Tuesday. The euro plunged, and the Dow Jones industrial average extended a slide that has wiped out nearly 5 percent of its value in two weeks. The markets meandered between gains and losses for much of the day, then turned decisively lower in the last hour of trading.

Groupon, Facebook carry risks, say analysts

The buzz surrounding Groupon and the frenzy over Facebook grow as they promise to change the face of Internet commerce. Yet, even after the share price’s bounce on its earnings, some analysts point to warning signals that should temper the growing exuberance both are enjoying.

Zuckerberg’s birthday kicks off Facebook’s biggest week ever

Facebook’s chief executive turns Mark Zuckerberg turns 28 on Monday, setting in motion the social network’s biggest week ever. The company is expected to start selling stock to the public for the first time and begin trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market on Friday. The IPO could value Facebook at nearly $100 billion.

Aquascape hosts Water Garden Weekend event

ST. CHARLES — Aquascape Inc, a leading producer of water features in North America and inventor of the low-maintenance ecosystem pond, invites the public to join it for its annual Water Garden Weekend May 19-20 at Aquascape’s headquarters, 901 Aqualand Way in St. Charles. The …

JPMorgan Chase top exec to retire after $2 billion fiasco

The chief investment officer at JPMorgan Chase, one of the highest-ranking women on Wall Street, will retire, the company said Monday. She becomes the first casualty of the bank’s $2 billion trading blunder.

Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson toppled by inaccurate biography

Yahoo still has credibility issues, even after casting aside CEO Scott Thompson because his official biography included a college degree that he never received.

U.S. stock futures fall after last week’s losses

A political stalemate in Greece rattled financial markets worldwide on Monday, driving U.S. stocks lower. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 125.25 points to close at 12,695.35. The Dow has lost more than half of its gains for the year in the past two weeks as worries resurface about Europe and the strength of the U.S. economy.

JPMorgan CEO Dimon: ‘Dead wrong’ about trading concerns

NEW YORK — The CEO of JPMorgan Chase, which disclosed a $2 billion loss last week, said he was “dead wrong” when he dismissed concerns about the bank’s trading last month. CEO Jamie Dimon said he did not know the extent of the problem when …

After JPMorgan loss, a call for stricter oversight

WASHINGTON (AP) — JPMorgan Chase faces intense criticism for claiming that a surprise $2 billion loss by one of its trading groups was the result of a sloppy but well-intentioned strategy to manage financial risk. More than three years after the financial industry almost collapsed, …