Brian J. Rogal

Brian J. Rogal is a lifelong Chicagoan if you count a childhood spent in the suburbs. The Bucktown resident is a graduate of DePaul University and then spent several years as an investigative reporter with The Chicago Reporter, mostly writing about the CHA’s transformation. He has covered commercial real estate full-time since 2013.

The planned Amtrak maintenance facility near Rate Field Tuesday includes railroad tracks around West 35th Street between White Sox parking lots and the surrounding Bridgeport community, Oct. 6, 2026. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Controversial Amtrak yard proposal to get environmental assessment by Federal Railroad Administration

October 26, 2026 at 3:48 p.m.

It’s potentially a big turnaround from earlier this year, and comes after passionate outcry against the plan from neighborhood residents and local elected officials.

Gene Siskel, left, and Roger Ebert, right, confer with "At the Movies" executive producer Joe Antelo at a taping of the show on July 11, 1985. (Bill Hogan/Chicago Tribune)

Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert to get life-size bronze tribute near Millennium Park

October 22, 2026 at 4:56 p.m.

A life-size bronze sculpture of dueling film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert will soon be unveiled at the One Two Pru office complex near Millennium Park and The Magnificent...

People walk through Block 37, the retail and entertainment complex, on Oct. 7, 2026, in Chicago’s Loop. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Block 37 changes hands, and its new owner promises a makeover

October 7, 2026 at 3:52 p.m.

Edwards Realty Co. promises to transform Block 37 into an experiential retail center that hosts year-round events, and attracts new entertainment options and restaurants.

View from a two-bedroom, two-bath unit on the 26th floor of 400 Lake Shore Drive on Oct. 2, 2026. the building is still under construction and won't open until March, but the developers say they've signed over 100 leases. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

As downtown Chicago reinvents itself, demand is high for luxury apartment complexes as building costs rise

October 5, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

As downtown Chicago continues its transformation from a business-focused district into a mixed-use neighborhood with grocery stores, parks and coffee shops, there is huge demand for luxury rentals.

Pedestrians pass renovations at Google’s future Midwest headquarters in the James R. Thompson Center on Sept. 30, 2026. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Morningstar to move global headquarters to the Thompson Center

October 1, 2026 at 10:18 a.m.

Investment firm Morningstar announced Wednesday it will move its global headquarters into the James R. Thompson Center, the downtown landmark being renovated by internet giant Google.

State Rep. Theresa Mah and Cook County Commissioner John Daley attend a community meeting to discuss a proposed Amtrak maintenance facility in the Bridgeport neighborhood on Sept. 17, 2026, at the Carpenter Training Center in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Preckwinkle and Cook County Board, most aldermen oppose Amtrak-Ishbia plan

September 24, 2026 at 7:55 p.m.

The Cook County Board Thursday opposed a proposed new Amtrak maintenance facility in Bridgeport tied to the White Sox potentially moving to a new ballpark in the South Loop.

Ann Caruso, center right, yells in response to a panel member's statement during the question-and-answer segment of a community meeting to discuss a proposed Amtrak maintenance facility west of Rate Field in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago, on Sept. 17, 2026, at the Carpenter Training Center. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Overflow crowd rejects plan for Amtrak maintenance yard near Rate Field: ‘Nasty real estate deal’

September 18, 2026 at 5:16 p.m.

Amtrak’s proposed maintenance yard would stretch for about 2 miles along Canal Street on the current Union Pacific railyard just west of the Chicago White Sox’s Rate Field.

Google released new renderings of a renovated James R. Thompson Center on Sept. 16, 2026, giving the public a glimpse of the interior. (Pixelflakes for Google)

Google provides a glimpse inside the renovated Thompson Center

September 16, 2026 at 12:01 a.m.

The building’s soaring atrium will be preserved, along with its iconic, black-and-white mosaic on the marble-clad ground floor.

Dave's Furniture & Mattress Outlet at 8148 S. Cicero Ave. in Burbank runs a final store-closing and liquidation sale on Sept. 14, 2026, before it becomes the new location for a JCPenney's. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

JCPenney to open a new store to replace its shuttered Ford City location

September 14, 2026 at 4:11 p.m.

JCPenney plans to open a new store in the next few months to replace its longtime home in Chicago’s Ford City Mall, according to a company spokesperson.

Chicagoans protesting against Amtrak moving a maintenance facility into their community attend a press conference across from Rate Field on Sept. 8, 2026. The Amtrak facility would be adjacent to the current White Sox stadium in a residential neighborhood, according to the proposed plan, and the stadium would move to a South Loop location on the Chicago River. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Residents and elected leaders protest proposal to move the Chicago White Sox

September 8, 2026 at 9:22 p.m.

Justin Ishbia unveiled a proposal called The Railyards, which involves putting a new White Sox ballpark on Amtrak’s current maintenance site near the Chicago River.

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