Segment 1: Craig Bolanos, Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins John Williams to talk about CEO confidence hitting a high, consumer sentiment dropping, if he thinks inflation will go higher, what has been causing the market to move lower the last few days, why the overall market performance is still something to be excited about, what he expects from Fed policy this year, his thoughts on the DOGE Dividend concept, and what will impact the market the most this year.

Segment 2: Carl Prouty, “The Technologist” at Abt Electronics in Glenview, talks to John about what’s new at Abt including vanity televisions and the world’s first transparent TV, the new infrared sauna, a self-flying drone, the more reasonably priced Apple phone, and the best value for laptops right now.

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute.

American Airlines is rolling out more flights from O’Hare Airport, including new direct service to Honolulu. The carrier will boost departures from Chicago by 22% with nonstop trips also being added to Naples, Italy this summer. American will fly to nine new cities from O’Hare including Madrid and Halifax, Canada. Once all the new routes get going, American will operate up to 480 daily flights from O’Hare. It’ll have ten daily flights to popular European hubs including London’s Heathrow Airport. American is also adding flights to Bismarck, North Dakota; Boise, Idaho; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Spokane, Washington; and Hyannis, Massachusetts.

Also, Kindred Hospitals of Chicago is closing two local sites, and more than 150 workers are being let go. Listen for more below:

Segment 1: Sarah Foster, Economic Analyst, Bankrate, joins John in-studio to talk about Fed policy and what we can expect from interest rate cuts, why the inflation target is still at 2%, and why high prices are still a problem.

Segment 2: Bree Fowler, Senior Writer, CNET, joins John Williams to talk about Gov. JB Pritzker joining the ranks of state officials looking to ban cellphones in classrooms, Apple launching the iPhone 16E, and Huawei holding a global launch for the industry’s first tri-foldable phone.

Segment 3: Brian Gordon, President, Gordon Associates, talks to John about long-term care insurance, when people should start thinking about long-term care insurance, the benefits of buying the insurance when you are younger, who the policies are typically for, what policies normally pay, the expenses and average premiums for long-term care insurance, and what triggers the benefit. Brian also answers all of your long-term care insurance questions.

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about the stock market continuing to roll along, the concerns over federal government cuts and access to information, the general unrest over Chicken Money, and a reality check of financial things you should and should not worry about right now. And as always, Terry answers all of your financial questions.

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to share his thoughts on Cameo offering employees $10,000 to return to the office.

Segment 2: Philippe Weiss, President, Seyfarth at Work, joins John to talk explain why so many executives are starting to feel stressed out.

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute.

A new survey shows optimism among Chicago corporate leaders who have plans to boost hiring and increase office space in 2025. A survey conducted by KPMG, reported by Crain’s, shows 84% of business leaders expect an increase in hiring this year. 71% plan to increase office size. The report says leaders view Chicago as a market with a robust talent base where plenty of space is available for expansion. The downtown Chicago office market has yet to recover from COVID and the work-from-home era, so if if this survey holds true, it would be good news for the city. 

Also, another Foxtrot location is reopening. Listen for more below:

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute.

Chicago’s video shout out company Cameo is giving $10,000 pay raises to employees who come back to the office four days a week. The company had previously said it had no need for office space and embraced the work from home model. Now, the company’s CEO says people are more valuable in person. The new back to the office schedule is Monday through Thursday. Cameo is also picking up lunches, parking and gym memberships. 26 of the company’s 50 employees are in Chicago.

Also, Walgreens Boots Alliance has received a negative outlook by Moody’s Ratings. Listen for more below:

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media and Best Money Moves, joins John Williams to talk about a new study that shows 51% of Americans believe buying a home is realistic, the cost of owning a home, real estate commissions being relatively unchanged, and the best President’s Day deals.

Segment 2: Shannon Martin, Insurance Analyst, Bankrate, joins John to break down Bankrate’s 2025 Cost of Insurance report.

Segment 3: Loryn Huff, National Program Director of Midtown Palatine, gives John some advice for picking a successful workout regimen, what you need to know if you are recovering from an injury or if you are just starting out, and the programs they offer at Midtown Athletic Clubs.

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute.

Fabio Viviani is reportedly eyeing Lake Zurich for another new restaurant. According to Crain’s, the 2008 “Top Chef” and a partner have bought vacant space but the planning is still in the early stages. Viviani is said to be doing due diligence on feasibility and the vision for the restaurant hasn’t been decided yet. The location is 377 N. Rand Road in Lake Zurich. A timeline for the new restaurant hasn’t been disclosed. This location would be across the street from his first restaurant in Lake Zurich, Lago. You can hear Viviani with our own Kevin Powell and Michael Piff talk about opening Lago in Lake Zurich on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats Podcast.

Also, a new Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers is about to open in Chicago, this one in Fulton Market. Listen for more below:

Segment 1:  Faron Daugs, CFP, Founder and CEO, Harrison Wallace Financial Group, joins John to talk about the market taking a little breath today, his thoughts on inflation data released earlier this week, if we should get used to inflation being a little high, and the latest on the Trump administration’s implementation of tariffs.

Segment 2: Chip Lupo, Writer and Analyst, WalletHub, tells John the results of a new survey that shows the impact of household debt.

Segment 4: Jason Lesniewicz, Senior Director of Cultural Tourism, Choose Chicago, tells John all about the Choose Chicago 2025 Visitors Guide.