Noon Business Lunch

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about the weak labor report, how the labor market is being impacted by uncertainty, the difficulty finding a job right now, and some tips to help you get (and keep) that elusive job.

Segment 2: Dennis Rodkin, residential real estate reporter for Crain’s, joins John to talk about a Winnetka estate selling for $31.25 million, homebuyers jittery about the economy walking away from their contracts, and assessments of home values in Cook County becoming more fair under Fritz Kaegi.

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media, joins John Williams to talk about mortgage rates coming down, Friday’s weak labor report, the likelihood the Fed cuts rates in September and October, the nine metro areas with housing markets worth more than $1 trillion, and a new survey shows a retirement confidence gap.

Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, tells John about Northwestern Medicine partnering with Tempus AI, battery manufacturer Pure Lithium relocating to Chicago, and Kin raising $50 million to help homeowners adapt to increased risk of extreme weather.

Segment 3: Dave Oberg, Executive Director, Elmhurst History Museum, tells John everything you need to know about the 10th anniversary of the Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest.

Segment 1: Jane Oates, Senior Policy Advisor and recent President at WorkingNation, joins John Williams to break down the latest data on today’s ‘devastating’ labor report. Jane also explains why she still has great faith in the BLS. And do the weak labor numbers mean that the Fed will cut rates later this month.

Segment 2: : Tom Appel, Publisher, Consumer Guide Automotive and host of the Consumer Guide Car Stuff podcast, joins John Williams to talk about his experience buying a new car with his daughter, what he learned about the shopping experience, and to offer some tips on what to look for when shopping for a new car. Tom also updates us on the EV market, the cars that people are buying right now (including Cadillac EV), and to answer all of your automotive questions.

Segment 1: Jeff Wolfthal, Program development specialist, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, joins John to talk about he eighth annual celebration of the beloved monarch butterflies as they begin their migration. Purchase tickets here!

Segment 2: Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief, ZDNET, joins John to talk about Apple about to announce an iPhone Air that sets the stage for a foldable iPhone next year, Anthropic becoming the leading AI partner for businesses, and what to know about Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses.

Segment 3: Phillip Shaw, CFP, Senior Advisor, Goldstone Financial Group, joins John to talk about market volatility this week, the impact of AI on the stock market, the cooling labor market, when the Fed will start cutting rates, the independence of the Fed, where he expects the Dow to be at the end of the year.

Tom Fortino, Founder and Principal, Alpha Wealth Group and host of “The Alpha Wealth Hour” on WGN Radio, joins John Williams to talk about how September is typically a weak month for stocks, the strong market performance in August, what has been holding the market up, what we can expect from this Friday’s labor report, and if he thinks the Fed will cut rates later this month.

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about the economic forecast for the remainder of 2025. Terry and John are joined by the always engaging Dr. Bob Froehlich, who makes his stock market (Dow) prediction for the rest of the year.

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about people discounting the value of relationships, and why authentic relationships are best built in-person rather than Zoom.

Segment 2: Philippe Weiss, President, Seyfarth at Work, joins John to talk about what executives need to know about effectively responding to a critical organizational crisis.

Segment 3: Tom Fortino, Founder and Principal, Alpha Wealth Group and host of “The Alpha Wealth Hour” on WGN Radio, joins John Williams to talk about how September is typically a weak month for stocks, the strong market performance in August, what has been holding the market up, what we can expect from this Friday’s labor report, and if he thinks the Fed will cut rates later this month.

Segment 4: Keenan Thanprathit, Marketing Manager, Mendocino Farms, joins John Williams to talk about the Chicago launch (and first Midwest location) of Mendocino Farms, a new fast-casual restaurant opening in River North. Keenan explains what’s on the menu and how they separate themselves from other fast-casual restaurants.

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

Kraft Heinz is splitting into two companies a decade after they joined in a merger. One of the companies will include shelf stable meals and include brands such as Heinz, Philadelphia cream cheese and Kraft Mac & Cheese. The other will include brands such as Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles and Lunchables. The names of the two companies will be released later. Kraft Heinz said in May that it was conducting a strategic review in part to help maximize the value of its brands. Separating the two areas could help generate new cash flow and enhance the top-performing products. The companies will keep headquarters in Chicago and Pittsburgh.

Also, American brands are on the outs among global consumers because of their perceptions about the country. Listen for more below:

Segment 1: Michael Miller, Economics Professor, Western Washington University and Professor Emeritus at DePaul University, joins John Williams to talk about GDP growth, if we should be skeptical of economic data revisions, core inflation rising, if he thinks the Fed should cut rates in September, the fate of Fed governor Lisa Cook, and the importance that the Federal Reserve remains independent

Segment 2: Chip Lupo, Writer and Analyst, WalletHub, tells John the results of a new Labor Day survey.

Segment 3: Joyce Porter, Founder, Oak Park IL Film Festival, tells John everything we need to know about this year’s film festival!

Segment 1: Jack Ablin, Chief Investment Officer and Founding Partner, Cresset Capital, gives John an in-depth look at the U.S. housing crisis. Jack also talks about the market still performing very well after Nvidia earnings.

Segment 2: Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief, ZDNET, joins John to talk about the latest iPhone falling behind other phones when it comes to AI features, what to know about Apple’s iPhone 17 launch event, and Oura deepening its relationship with the Department of Defense.

Segment 3: James Rodriguez, Senior Reporter, Business Insider, joins John Williams to talk about how some homebuyers who made a big bet on lower mortgage rates are now in a financial bind.

Segment 4: Stephanie Klett, President and CEO, Visit Lake Geneva, joins John Williams to talk about the beauty of Delavan Lake, the spectacular Frank Lloyd Wright homes that surround the lake, the eclectic dining scene in Delavan, the fantastic Lake Lawn Resort, and why taking a visit to the area is a perfect fall destination.