Noon Business Lunch

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to give some tips on what you should do if you are applying for a new job right now.

Segment 2: Jim Glueckert, Co-chair of Frontier Days Festival in Arlington Heights, tells John everything you should know about this year’s festival!

Segment 3: Jack Ablin, Founding Partner & Chief Investment Strategist, Cresset Capital, talks to John about the market rebound the last couple of days, what is propelling the markets right now, and if he expects the Fed to raise rates in 2026.

Segment 4: Elliot Richardson, Co-founder and President, Small Business Advocacy Council, joins John to tell John about some of the positive things that came out of the spring legislative session in Illinois that will assist small businesses.

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media, and publisher of Love, Money + Real Estate on Substack, joins John Williams to talk break down a new study on financial fulfillment.

Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, tells John about Chicago’s quantum campus beginning to take shape, a Chicago-based tech investor that made early bets on SpaceX raising $2.5B for its next fund, and The University of Chicago, Northwestern University and the University of Illinois and five other leading research universities have officially opened the Third Coast Foundry in San Francisco

Segment 3: Rich Gentile, Founder, Santa for a Day, tells John about the mission of their organization, how they provide Christmas gifts to low-income, marginalized, and vulnerable communities, and their upcoming ‘Christmas in July’ fundraiser at Evanston SPACE next month.

Segment 1: Craig Bolanos, Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins Jon Hansen to talk about the possibility of interest rate hikes as the Fed looks to combat inflation, how SpaceX is doing after the initial IPO, why AI stocks were hit hard this week, the bipartisan housing bill that is waiting to signed by President Trump, and why he’s still optimistic about the economy moving forward.

Segment 2: David Saffrin of Sunrun Solar, joins Jon to talk about the history of the company, the the stability of solar power, how the pricing and installation works, how much a typical home can save on costs, and the many benefits of the Sunrun home battery.

Segment 3: Lenny Feil, Designated Managing Broker and Owner at Century 21 Harthside Realtors, joins Jon Hansen for the Front Porch Report. Lenny talks about the health of the Chicago area real estate market, and some areas that are seeing steady growth for homebuyers. For more information, visit lennyfeil.com or call 708-870-0514.

Segment 1: Chris Stephens, Executive Director of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, joins John to talk about the large amount of events they host each year, how many people visit the convention center, why repeat business is integral to their success, the way the city of Rosemont supports the convention business, and why Rosemont remains a convention powerhouse.

Segment 2: Scott Stein, Editor at Large, CNET, joins John Williams to talk about Apple abruptly raising prices on some of their most popular products.

Segment 3: Tom Fortino, Founder and Principal, Alpha Wealth Group, and host of “The Alpha Wealth Hour” on WGN Radio, joins John to talk about how the market is performing today, why he thinks there is opportunity for investors, the concern over rising inflation, and why it’s an appropriate time to discuss taxes in retirement, and his thoughts on the viability of Social Security.

Segment 1: Steven Esposito, President of Yellowstone Wealth Management in Lake Forest, joins John to talk about the latest on the war with Iran and the price of oil, where the market trends are going, why he’s encouraged by the broadening of the market, the price of housing, what he’s expecting for interest rates and inflation, and why there is a lot of opportunity for investors right now.

Segment 2: Carl “Gus” Porter III, President/CEO, WGN Flag & Decorating Co., talks to John about the history of their business, the types of products they make, where you see their work around Chicagoland, how many people they employ, what kind of flags they sell, and how business has been going as the country celebrates 250!

Segment 3: Joe Cicero, President of Marketing and Promotions, McHenry Outdoor Theater, joins John to talk about their big MLB event on the 4th of July that features a showing of ‘The Sandlot,’ the Cubs-Cardinals game, and fireworks! Joe also tells us what other movies you can see this summer!

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to explain what employers should consider when hiring young workers on top of what they accomplished at an internship. Tom also talks about why so many young people are living with their parents.

Segment 2: Philippe Weiss, President, Seyfarth at Work, joins John to talk about why businesses need to think twice before adding a second name to the company. The controversy surrounding the Kennedy Center serves as a timely reminder that names attached to organizations can carry consequences far beyond their original intent.

Segment 3: Jenny Dalton-Hill, General Manager, Chicago Bandits, joins John Williams to tell us about Chicago’s professional softball team, the AUSL season, the home games being played in Rosemont, their partnership with MLB, and how the sport has grown through the years.

Segment 4: Maple Walker Lloyd, VP of Partnerships, Block Club Chicago, tells John all about Block Club’s upcoming workforce development fair.

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media, and publisher of Love, Money + Real Estate on Substack, joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about why existing home sales are at a three-decade low.

Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, tells Jon about Chicago startup EeroQ saying it has demonstrated a new approach to building a quantum computer, the University of Chicago partnering with a Paris startup campus to connect the city to the French tech scene, and Formic Technologies opening new Bolingbrook headquarters.

Segment 3: Daryn Schwartz, Co-Founder, The Space Together, talks to Jon about their new concept that brings together the trifecta of wellness, co-working, and community. Daryn tells Jon what makes The Space Together stand out from the competition.

Segment 1: Marc Lillibridge, PR Director, Nikco Sports, joins John to talk about their gorgeous Chicago Cubs 150th Anniversary 34″ bat.

Segment 2: Jamal Malone, CEO, Ada S. McKinley Community Services, joins John to talk about the mission of their nonprofit organization, the type of students they serve, what we should know about the Trunk Scholarship Program, and the upcoming Truck Scholarship celebration the Obama Presidential Center in July.

Segment 3: Chris Atiyah, CEO and co-founder of Chicago-based Engtal, joins John to talk about running one of the fastest-growing staffing firms, their focus on some of the highest-demand markets, how AI is helping their company, and what makes Engtal so unique.

Segment 4: Katie Anderson-Tedder, Co-owner, Anderson’s Candy Shop, joins John Williams to talk about Anderson’s 100th anniversary celebration!

Segment 1: Rob Bhatt, Senior Writer and Insurance expert, Lending Tree, joins John Williams to talk about the state of home insurance in 2026. Rob breaks down why insurance rates in Illinois are rising.

Segment 2: Owen Poole, Senior Video Producer, CNET, joins John Williams to talk about Fox announcing that it will acquire Roku, and Apple’s Tim Cook saying price increases are ‘unavoidable.’

Segment 3: Michael Miller, Economics Professor, Western Washington University and Professor Emeritus at DePaul University, joins John to analyze how the hike in energy prices due to the Iran war has impacted the economy, if he’s generally optimistic about the state of the economy, and how one day can make an impact on the labor market when it comes to remote work.

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage, along with Pam Krueger, Founder and CEO, Wealthramp, join John Williams to offer tips on how to find a reputable fee-only financial advisor.