Content about Illinois

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. — Redbox, with the help of Orville Redenbacher's gourmet popping corn, is encouraging Facebook fans to go head-to-head with film critic Richard Roeper to predict this season's movie award winners.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Pactiv is rolling out a line of compostable paper plates for its Hefty brand.

Hefty Basics are disposable paper plates that have the strength to support almost any meal. The plates are biodegradable in home composting and are microwavable, Pactiv said.

The plates are available at select grocery stores throughout the Northeast region of the United States in 45-count, 8 and 5/8-in. lunch plate packages and 24-count, 10 and 1/4-in. dinner plate packages.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings' SVP procurement and finance has been promoted.

Deidra Cheeks Merriwether now holds the title of SVP and president of retail services, succeeding James Haworth. In this role, Merriwether, who joined the corporation in 2001, will be responsible for the oversight and leadership of retail services for the broadline retailer's Kmart and Sears stores.

Merriwether currently serves as a member of Sears Canada's board of directors and is the executive sponsor of the company's African-American Associate Network.

LISLE, Ill. — SXC Health Solutions announced Wednesday that it had completed its acquisition of independent specialty pharmacy provider MedfusionRx in a deal worth $100 million in cash, with an additional $5.5 million subject to the achievement of certain performance targets in fiscal year 2012.

The waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act expired Dec. 24.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — In a resounding declaration that its massive revitalization efforts have been the right strategy at the right time, Walgreens on Wednesday reported its net earnings jumped to a record $580 million in first quarter fiscal 2011, rising nearly 19% over prior-year levels. Sales for the period ended Nov. 30 also rose 6% to $17.3 billion, another record for the nation’s top drug retailer.

LOVES PARK, Ill. — A certified gluten-free crackers brand has gained retail distribution in Walmart Supercenter stores.

Crunchmaster's original flavor multigrain crisps now are available in 4.5-oz. boxes for a suggested retail price of $2.48. The oven-baked, 100% whole grain crisps are made with a blend of California brown rice and four seeds: sesame, quinoa, flax and amaranth.

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kraft Foods is continuing its commitment to the fight against hunger with its football-themed hunger-relief initiative.

Kraft said Monday that the Huddle to Fight Hunger program reached 18.5 million meals, which is 93% of the program's goal. Its initiative encourages Americans to generate meal donations for Feeding America through several social media initiatives, including Facebook and Twitter.

The promotions lead up to the first-ever Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl on Jan. 9, which will be held in San Francisco.

MIAMI — The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology on Wednesday presented a new analysis of the effects of omega-3 essential fatty acids as potential treatment options for depression.

Two critical omega-3 essential fatty acids available from certain food or nutritional supplements but not manufactured by the body — eicosapentenoic acid and docosahexaenoic — play a role in optimal brain functioning and have antidepressant benefits that have not been fully recognized, the professional society stated during its annual meeting in Miami.

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. — Sara Lee announced on Monday that it has completed the sale of its global body care and European detergents businesses to Unilever for 1.21 billion euro ($1.6 billion).

The sale is part of Sara Lee's ongoing process of divesting its household and body care businesses.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens saw a rise in sales across the board for the month of November and fiscal first quarter 2011, the drug store chain said Friday.

Total sales for the chain rose 8.6% to $5.83 billion in November, with 2.8 percentage points contributed by Duane Reade stores. Comparable-store sales for the month also saw a gain of 3.2%, although comps results do not include Duane Reade sales. Total sales for the quarter saw a strong gain of 5.9% to $17.33 billion, as comparable-store sales increased 0.8%.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is making a high-impact health statement to mark World AIDS Day that will be hard to ignore.

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kraft filed an arbitration proceeding against Starbucks on Monday after the java giant attempted to end an agreement with the company.

Kraft claimed that it boosted Starbucks' retail grocery coffee business since 1998, which has garnered approximately $500 million in annual revenues. Kraft also is demanding that Starbucks compensate the company for the fair market value of the business, plus a premium of up to 35% of that value.