Noon Business Hour on WBBM Newsradio

A look at how tough-love parenting can help guide better financial decisions by teaching self-discipline and long-term responsibility. Also, Easter spending is expected to hit a record $25 billion, as more consumers prioritize experiences and focus on critical safety tips when traveling overseas.

Amid rising global tensions, the U.S. is urging caution when traveling abroad, and experts say preparation, awareness, and smart habits are key to staying safe overseas. Mark Wolters of Wolters World Travel and Culture on YouTube, and Associate Professor of Business Administration at the University of Illinois Gies College of Business in Urbana-Champaign, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with need-to-know tips.

A look at Six Flags Great America as it celebrates 50 years, the movie “Project Hail Mary” opens past $80 million, and Friday could be key in the TSA worker shortage.

It feels like something out of Her - EVA AI is opening a first-of-its-kind cafe where users can take their AI partners on real-world dates, carving out a niche in the crowded craft beer and taproom scene. Meanwhile, spring is turning the corner in Chicago, as a sea of runners in green fills the streets for the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle, kicking off the local running season this Sunday.

As spring arrives, many essential home tasks get overlooked - making now the perfect time to tackle your maintenance checklist. Chicago neighborhood restaurants are navigating tough conditions by cutting hours, trimming menus, and focusing on loyal regulars to survive. Plus, tips on cleaning up your digital life - organize emails, apps, accounts, and finances to cut clutter and regain control.

As spring arrives, many essential home tasks get overlooked - making now the perfect time to tackle your maintenance checklist. Casey Finn, founder of The DIY Playbook here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with need-to-know tips...

Inflation data comes in hotter than expected, Chicago White Sox owner-in-waiting Justin Ishbia is nearing a deal to buy a 47-acre South Loop rail yard - signaling momentum for possible new stadium development - and as March Madness tips off, it's a good reminder that tournament losses can take a psychological toll and trigger reactive stock selling.

Chicago White Sox owner-in-waiting Justin Ishbia nears deal for 47-acre South Loop rail yard, signaling potential momentum toward a new stadium development. Justin Laurence, reporter for Crain's Chicago Business, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

A lot of young people looking for a job have more skills and experience than they think - but there's a good chance they just aren't framing it correctly. Meanwhile, the race for faster shipping is heating up as Amazon pushes one-hour delivery to more locations, and summer trips with an “international Feel” that don't require a passport are gaining popularity.

Skip the passport this summer - there are a host of U.S. destinations that deliver European, Caribbean, or desert vibes without the international travel hassle. Cindy Richards, Editor-in-Chief of SheBuysTravel.com here in Chicago, joins Judson Richards on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

For first-time investors, downturns can be a great entry point. March Madness returns, and office bracket pools may boost workplace morale and productivity - plus low-cost upgrades that could help a home sell faster.

March Madness tips off this week - office brackets and friendly competition turning college basketball into a workplace tradition... Offices that choose to embrace it often end up being the true winners. Michelle Reisdorf, Chicago Jobs Expert at Robert Half here in Chicago joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details...

Young applicants entering the workforce can benefit greatly from guidance from parents or mentors - and small details can make all the difference. Meanwhile, St. Patrick's Day weekend means “corned beef time” in the Chicago area, and it's also a big weekend for a local snack maker.

St. Patrick's Day weekend is one of the busiest of the year for liquor retailers, with shoppers stocking up on holiday favorites like Jameson, Baileys, and Guinness. Carly Katz, owner of Bottles and Cans in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

Oil prices are sharply higher as Middle East tensions escalate, a look at the economic impact of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and the old public-relations saying - “there's no such thing as bad publicity” - may be proving true again in today's social-media age.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon - set for Sunday, October 11th this year - is a major economic engine for the city, boosting tourism, hospitality spending, and driving hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity. Carey Pinkowski, Executive Race Director of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with a preview.

Inflation held steady last month, but rising energy prices following the Iran attacks could quickly re-ignite price pressures. Also: two Chicago craft beer brands join forces, and tips on putting your tax refund to work.

For many Americans, a tax refund is one of the only lump-sum cash windfalls they receive all year. Instead of splurging on something temporary, consider putting that money to work to strengthen your financial future. Bill Ulivieri, owner of Cenacle Capital Management in Glenview, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss how to make the most of your tax refund.

A revived plan for a Soldier Field-area mega-project gains traction in Springfield as the Chicago Bears eye Arlington Heights, why Lego continues to be a bright spot in the toy industry, and how to turn college tours into memorable family trips.

College tours can double as family adventures - mixing campus visits with fun side trips and activities for siblings of all ages. Angie Rice, co-founder of Boutique Travel Advisors in Scottsdale, Arizona, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

Michael Jordan's first appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated just sold for a record $229,000 - the highest price ever for a graded magazine. Plus, downtown Chicago rents surge as apartment supply struggles to keep up, and a preview of the Chicago-area golf season ahead.

Latest on today's big government jobs report. We talk Nashville hot chicken — and expansion — with the founder of Fry the Coop. And a sleep expert explains the health impact of daylight saving time.

What began as a Nashville hot chicken sandwich shop in Oak Lawn has grown into a Chicagoland chain expanding across city neighborhoods and the suburbs. Joe Fontana, founder and owner of Fry the Coop joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss…

As young people enter a competitive job market, parents can make a real difference - offering guidance, structure, and perspective without hovering over every decision. Also ahead: strategies for couples looking to merge their money - and how AI-driven data-center demand could push electricity use and household power bills higher.

As young people enter a competitive job market, parents can make a real difference by offering guidance, structure, and perspective - without hovering over every decision. Rick Cobb, founder of the Chicago-based workplace consulting firm 2-Discern, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

More younger Americans are embracing a healthier lifestyle and businesses are taking note. Also ahead: why you may want to avoid oversharing vacation posts on social media - and essential personal finance rules everyone should follow.

As people start heading out for Spring Break trips, it's a good reminder not to overshare on social media while on vacation - it can put people at risk - revealing empty homes, real-time locations and personal details to criminals. Mark Wolters of Wolters World Travel and Culture on YouTube, and Teaching Associate Professor of Business Administration at the University of Illinois' Gies College of Business in Urbana-Champaign, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with need-to-know advice.

A look at how the attack on Iran could impact global oil markets, Chicago advances as a finalist to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention and Maximize your bucket-list trip by training for it.

Before booking a bucket-list trip - let's use Antarctica as an example - consider a test run, like an Alaskan cruise, first. Build up gradually to maximize both the experience and your investment. Angie Rice, co-founder of Boutique Travel Advisors in Scottsdale, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss...

More retirees are rethinking retirement - spending months at sea, mixing extended cruises with stays with family and time in low-cost apartments between voyages, all while potentially saving money. Cindy Richards, editor-in-chief of SheBuysTravel.com here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with key advice.

A look at how the attack on Iran could impact global markets, why the stigma of taking a first date to a fast-food restaurant is fading, and a visit with our Monday afternoon stock picker.

A guide to spring car-buying season - from South Side roots to flagship reality, the man behind Soul & Smoke sees his barbecue vision fully realized - and Burger King rolls out AI headsets to monitor employee friendliness.

A local entrepreneur behind Soul & Smoke sees his long-awaited dream restaurant become reality, marking a bold new chapter for the award-winning barbecue brand. D' Andre Carter, Executive Chef and Co-Founder of Soul & Smoke with locations in Evanston - Avondale and Chicago's West Loop joins Mai Martinez on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

State lawmakers in Illinois and Indiana are poised to vote today on decisions that could determine where the Chicago Bears ultimately build their next stadium. We'll also examine how AI is driving demand for an entirely new set of technical skills - while still requiring strong critical thinking, communication, and ethical decision-making - and we'll look at the future of smart cities.

Cash-only weekends are gaining popularity as a simple, old-school strategy to curb spending in today's tap-to-pay world. Ed Gjertsen, Certified Financial Planner and Founder of Engage Wealth Group here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

AI is driving demand for an entirely new set of technical skills - while still requiring strong critical thinking, communication, and ethical decision-making. Shelly Palmer, CEO of the Palmer Group and Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to explain.

Implementing the so-called 72-hour rule can be a simple way to curb impulse spending and protect your long-term wealth. Shari Greco Reiches, Regional Director of E-P Wealth here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to explain.

Nvidia, now a market bellwether - reports earnings after the bell, while former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn launches a petition to keep the Bears in Illinois and why invoking the 72-hour rule can help you avoid an unnecessary purchase.

Team USA's surprise gold sparks a jersey frenzy, but Nike's forecast leaves fans empty-handed. Plus, smart planning for a safe Spring Break - and how a sad monkey named Punch is inspiring a surge in stuffy sales.

A lot can go awry on a trip, so it's smart to be prepared. Before Spring Break, parents should set a plan, confirm logistics, and square away finances to help ensure their child has a safe, fun getaway. Mark Wolters of Wolters World Travel and Culture on YouTube, and Associate Professor of Business Administration at the University of Illinois Gies College of Business in Urbana-Champaign, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with key advice.

Travel headaches mount as a major storm slams the U.S. Northeast - plus investing cues from millennials and the latest on travel to and from Mexico amid cartel violence.

In a 6–3 decision, the Supreme Court has sharply limited President Trump's authority to impose tariffs. Summer camps are filling up fast - we'll explain what parents need to know before signing their kids up. And pepper-and-egg season is here, as the Chicago Lenten classic returns to Italian beef stands across the area.