It's Curious City, where we take your questions about Chicago and the region, and investigate,

report, explore, from WBEZ.

I'm Erin Allen. How would you describe this Chicago winter?

Brutal? Kind of normal? Certainly not mild, right?

Exactly how hard old man winter hits us every year has consequences for your sanity and your wallet.

That led one Curious City listener to ask us this question. When the winter is mild, how does it impact Chicago's economy?

Curious Cities Justin Bull picks up this week's story.

Economies are complicated.

There are many compounding variables that affect winter spending.

But we did find something of an answer.

It involves discretionary spending in the short term and climate change in the longer term.

But first, let's look at some of the businesses that offer essential services and tend to do well when Chicago gets frosty.

I think in the extreme weather is when you just make more money than normal.

This is Mike Wendling, a union organizer for auto mechanics and auto body shop workers.

IAM local 701.

Because you're busy, you're hustling, you know, there's more stuff coming in to the shop.

Mike says weather extremes, and especially cold and ice, lead to more dead car batteries,

more busted up wheels and tires, and more fender benders.

And that means more money flowing to car mechanics and auto body shops.

There are other businesses that typically get a winter bump, like gas companies or furnace repairers,

or plumbers, or retailers who stock de-icing supplies or other winter gear.

But when you think about a local industry that would really feel the pain when a winter turns out mild,

...