Noon Business Lunch

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about how America prioritizes sensitivity over resilience (has America gotten soft?), the importance of fighting through down times to find happiness, and what college graduates can expect in a shifting job market.

Segment 2: Michael Miller, Economics Professor, Western Washington University and Professor Emeritus at DePaul University, chats with John about American productivity, and the impact tariffs could have on the economy.

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media and Best Money Moves, joins John Williams to talk about how many hours a minimum wage employee would have to work to afford the typical US apartment, The highest-earning 10% of Americans accounting for nearly 50% of spending, existing home sales decreasing in January, and the likelihood we see a recession.

Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, tells John about a Chicago startup that makes water bottle accessories appearing on ‘Shark Tank,’ a new venture studio aiming to work ‘shoulder-to-shoulder’ with Chicago entrepreneurs, and philanthropist Michael Polsky donating $100M to the University of Chicago to boost green tech.

Segment 3: Elmwood Park Village President Angelo “Skip” Saviano tells John everything you need to know about this year’s Elmwood Park Restaurant Week. Mayor Saviano also chats a bit about his long friendship with former Governor Rod Blagojevich.

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

Illinois could soon have its own version of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Democratic State Senator Mark Walker of Arlington Heights has introduced legislation to create similar oversight in the state, just as the Trump administration makes cuts to the federal agency. Walker’s Consumer Financial Protection Law calls for expanding the authority of the Department of Financial & Professional Regulation.

Also, a Chicago chef has been tapped to run the food service at the Obama Presidential Center when it opens next year. Listen for more below:

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: