Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about what employees need to know if they are posting on social media and how business leaders need to be transparent about company policy.

Segment 2: Philippe Weiss, President, Seyfarth at Work, joins John to talk about how business leaders can take lessons from athletes competing in the Paris Olympics.

Segment 3: Jennifer Bias, Owner, Camp Aramoni, joins John to talk about the camp being a destination for boutique camping, how she came about to running a campground, how she ‘stumbled’ into finding the land, what the facility is like when you come for a stay, the restaurant on site for the campers, what other amenities they offer, how close they are to beautiful state parks, the great towns nearby where you can take a day trip, and their upcoming “Dinner in the Field” event on Saturday July 27.

Segment 1: Phillip Shaw, CFP, Senior Advisor, Goldstone Financial Group, tells John about inflation continuing to come down, what that means for Fed policy and interest rates, how many rate cuts he expects to see this year, why he says inflation is personal, the concern over mounting credit card debt, and how people should navigate their investments right now.

Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, tells John about a Chicago biotech startup hauling in $45M in new funding, a Chicago cancer-fighting startup helping the Mayo Clinic and others top institutions to help surgeons better see and fight tumors, and why tech funding in Chicago is continuing a downward trend.

Segment 3: Dawn Melchiorre, Executive Director of Cradles to Crayons Chicago, joins John to talk about the mission of Cradles to Crayons to break down hidden barriers to education and empower children to feel safe, valued, and ready to learn. Dawn explains how Cradles to Crayons provides school supplies to children to give them the best opportunity to succeed in the classroom.

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

A Chicago-based cannabis operator raised nearly $95 million in April. And according to a group that tracks fundraising by startups, it’s the largest money round for a Chicago startup in the second quarter of this year. PharmaCann made the haul according to Pitchbook. Biotech company Advanced Medicine Partners landed the second-highest funding round of the quarter in Chicago with $60 million. Chicago Inno says other companies raising big funds were Clearcover at $55 million and Hopscotch Primary Care at $45 million.

Also, Crain’s reports a mostly vacant office building on the Magnificent Mile could become residential soon.

Segment 1: Paul Nolte, Senior Wealth Advisor and Market Strategist, Murphy & Sylvest, joins John to talk about the inflation data released yesterday, how the market has been reacting to inflation data, what last week’s job report might mean for the economy, what all this data means for Fed policy on interest rates, and how many rate cuts he expects the Fed to make this year.

Segment 2: Robert Sevim, President, Chicago Region, Savills, joins John to talk about the state of the commercial real estate industry in Chicago.

Segment 3: Dr. Beth Conerty, iFAB regional innovation officer and associate director of business development at the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory, part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at U. of I., joins John Williams to talk about the Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing (iFAB) Tech Hub being awarded approximately $51 million from the Tech Hubs Program through the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. Dr. Conerty explains what the tech hub does, and what they will do with the money.

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

The Revival Food Hall in Chicago’s Loop will be revived under a new name and with new ownership. The owners of the food court on Clark Street said it would close by the end of the month because they failed to get favorable lease terms. Now, an Atlanta-based hospitality firm has announced acquisition of Revival and says it plans to keep everything the same except for the name. A new name for the food court is expected to announced later. 

Also, A major financial boost for Stellantis will help expand its Belvidere plant and create more jobs. Listen for more below:

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

Chicago’s downtown office vacancy rate hit a record high of nearly 26% in the first half of 2024. It jumped from 25% in the first quarter of the year. Real estate services firm CBRE says the downtown vacancy rate has hit new record highs in 13 of the past 15 quarters as remote work continues to be the trend. Crain’s reports companies have collectively cut back on nearly 2 million square feet of office space over the past year. The office vacancy rate has also negatively impacted the retail environment of downtown Chicago.

Also, Chicago-based medical tech startup SimBioSys is planning more expansion after receiving clearance from the Food and Drug Administration for its platform. Listen for more below:

Segment 1: Emily Stewart, Senior Correspondent, Business Insider, tells John about ‘quiet vacationing‘ and what it tells us about the American workplace.

Segment 2: Bree Fowler, Senior Writer, CNET, joins John to talk about the Biden administration awarding nearly $2 billion in grants to help restart or expand electric vehicle manufacturing, and Samsung using AI for its wearable devices

Segment 3: Elliot Richardson, Co-founder and President, Small Business Advocacy Council, joins John to talk about a new law in Illinois that significantly increases the tax credits available to businesses that hire formerly incarcerated individuals.

Segment 4: Robert Garvey, founder of Robert’s Pizza & Dough Co., joins John to talk about their pizza being recognized as one of the top pizzas in the world! Robert talks about what makes their place special, what makes their food stand out, when he decided to get into the pizza business, and the various types of pizza (and other food!) they offer.

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about the importance of remaining calm when the market fluctuates. Additionally, she answers a number of questions from WGN Radio listeners.

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

Kroger and Albertson’s have released a list of stores that the companies plan to sell, if a merger between the grocery giants wins approval from regulators. The merger was announced in 2022 but the Federal Trade Commission sued to stop it earlier this year. Kroger is the parent company of Mariano’s Fresh Markets and Albertson’s is the parent company of Jewel-Osco. The list includes 35 stores in the Chicago area, mostly Mariano’s locations, that’ll be sold to C&S Wholesale Grocers, which owns Piggly Wiggly. Workers at the impacted stores will become employees of C&S. The Kroger-Albertson’s merger may not happen. Regulators may block the deal because of antitrust issues. 

Also, Portillo’s is adding another location in Michigan. Listen for more below:

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about why some people are finding it tougher to find a job right now, and how he feels AI is impacting the job market.

Segment 2: Sarah Foster, Analyst, Bankrate, talks to John about a new survey that shows the average American feels they need to earn over $186K a year just to live comfortably.

Segment 2: Dennis Rodkin, residential real estate reporter for Crain’s, joins John to talk about Jonathan Toews selling his condo on Orleans Street in Lincoln Park, Chicago giving first-time homebuyers the most buying power, and why upper-price home sales are still healthy despite higher interest rates.