Noon Business Lunch

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media, joins John Williams to unpack why 2025 has been so punishing for first-time home buyers, how soaring prices, tight inventory, all-cash offers and lagging new construction are reshaping the market for buyers.

Segment 2: Segment 2: Elliot Richardson, Co-founder and President, Small Business Advocacy Council, joins John to talk about Chicago’s City Council and what that means for new taxes, fees, and fines hitting small businesses, and the proactive steps City Hall should take in 2026.

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about her latest column and the stock market rallying to end the year. And, as always, she answers questions from listeners.

Craig Bolanos, Co-Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins John Williams to analyze year-end market trends, the so-called Santa Claus rally, inflation and unemployment pressures, consumer confidence, and what data suggests for 2026.

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about leadership, workplace culture, and how management decisions affect performance in both sports and business. The discussion shifts to changing work attitudes surrounding sick days and when workers should and shouldn’t push through illness.

Segment 2: Philippe Weiss, President, Seyfarth at Work, breaks down a troubling trend in corporate America: a sharp increase in layoffs during the holiday season. Weiss and Williams discuss why companies are more willing to let workers go in November and December and the emotional toll it can take.

Segment 3:  Craig Bolanos, Co-Founder and wealth advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins John to analyze year-end market trends, the so-called Santa Claus rally, inflation and unemployment pressures, consumer confidence, and what data suggests for 2026.

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media, joins John Williams to break down year-end economic trends, including inflation, unemployment, wage growth over the past 50 years, and why housing costs continue to squeeze renters and homeowners alike.

Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, tells John about major developments in Chicago tech and innovation. Topics include a Northwestern biotech raising millions to advance regenerative medicine and Chicago’s growing role in the future of quantum technology.

Segment 3: Ary Krivopisk, CEO of The Yard Signature, joins John to discuss the rise of high-end flexible workspaces and how companies are rethinking office needs in a post-pandemic world.

Segment 1: Jason Turner, Chief Investment Strategist for Wintrust Wealth Management joins John Williams to to break down year-end market trends, the rebound in AI stocks and what to expect from the Fed in 2026.

Segment 2: Tim Paradis, Future-of-work & Trending Correspondent at Business Insider joins John to expand on his article detailing “the golden age” of employee monitoring.

Segment 3: Richard Demirjian, President, TCCI Manufacturing joins John in a discussion about how his Decatur-based company powers commercial vehicles worldwide, its role in EV and hybrid technology, and the future of thermal management.

Segment 1: Stephen Kates, CFP, Financial Analyst, Bankrate, joins John Williams to break down today’s inflation data and what that means for the economy as we head into 2026.

Segment 2: Brandon Ewing, Director, Community Retail Branches, BCU, joins John to talk about their credit union, the difference between a credit union and a bank, the various products they offer, the benefits of a credit union, who is eligible to become a member of BCU, and how they are a full service financial institution.

Segment 3: Harold Redman, CEO, ECHO, tells John how ECHO has partnered with Friends of the Forest Preserves, donating 27 pieces of professional-grade equipment now being used to speed up invasive removal efforts. Harold also tells John how business has been, the rise of autonomous mowers, and how they have navigated through tariffs.

Segment 4: John Manchester, co-owner, Windy City Sweets, join John Williams to talk about how business has been this holiday season, their most popular items, the ‘naughty’ and ‘nice’ cookies and other holiday treats, and their new cookie that supports the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about four moderate House Republicans joining Democrats to force a vote on extending key Affordable Care Act subsidies, a new poll showing President Trump’s approval rating on the economy, and a reminder about fraud protection during the holiday season.

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about the latest jobs numbers, why he sees a weakening economy, AI’s impact on the job market, and to share his thoughts on the return of the office party, and why he believes in the importance of meetings. Also, the Bears!

Segment 2: Dennis Rodkin, residential real estate reporter for Crain’s, joins John Williams to talk about a number of his recent stories including Ken Griffin’s last remaining Chicago condo landing a buyer, the owner of Michael Jordan’s former home pitching new plan for the estate, and the growth of high-end home sales.

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media, joins John Williams to talk about a new survey that shows nearly two-thirds of Americans have used a mobile wallet, the latest homeownership rate rose to 65.3% in the third quarter of 2025, and Zillow’s most viewed house in Illinois.

Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, tells John about McDonald’s pulling an AI Christmas ad that consumers did not like, and The Chicago Tribune and New York Times suing a large AI company over copyright issues.

Segment 3: Isaac Reichman, Director, Corporate Communications, Choose Chicago, joins John Williams to preview the stacked 2026 Chicago convention calendar. After a successful 2025, Chicago’s convention business hopes to build on that momentum next year.