Wintrust 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 […]

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 […]

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: […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about why she believes the Fed will likely be cutting rates in September, what would happen if the Fed does cut rates, how interest rates actually work, and the benefits and pitfalls of AI. And as always, Terry answers all of your financial questions.

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. Chicago favorites, Garrett’s Popcorn and Home Run Inn are blending flavors. A new Garrett’s popcorn is mixed with Home Run Inn’s ‘Everything But the Pizza seasoning’. They’re calling it Garrett’s Chicago Pizza Popcorn. The new flavor is available at several grocery […]

Faron Daugs, CFP, Founder and CEO, Harrison Wallace Financial Group, joins John to talk about the market not having much of a reaction to President Trump trying to fire Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook, the overall health of the economy, the impact of tariffs still being relatively unknown, consumer confidence coming in stronger than expected, and the […]

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. A public-private initiative to attract businesses to Illinois has been renamed but its mission will remain the same. Intersect Illinois will now be called the Illinois Economic Development Corp. The initiative was launched 10 years ago as a way to partially […]

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media, joins John Williams to talk about if August is a good time to put a house on the market, current mortgage rates, why the government took a 10% stake in Intel, when the Fed is likely to cut interest rates, and how the market typically performs after the Fed cuts […]

Segment 1: Craig Bolanos, Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins John to talk about today’s big market rally after Fed Chairman Jerome Powell suggested interest rate cuts would be coming soon, how many rate cuts he expects to see for the rest of 2025, and when we we’ll see the full impact of tariffs. […]

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. Chicago’s Navy Pier has issued requests for concepts as it prepares to redevelop its east end. That portion of Navy Pier includes the Festival Hall meeting space, Lakeview Terrace with beer gardens and a grand ballroom. Those areas would be redeveloped […]

Segment 1: Steven Esposito, President of Yellowstone Wealth Management in Lake Forest, joins John to talk about why the markets have been down recently, the odds of a Fed interest rate cut, how many rate cuts he can expect this year, and why this may be a good buying opportunity. Segment 2: Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief, ZDNET, joins John […]

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to answer all of your financial questions.

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about a recent Wall Street Journal article that breaks down why America’s mobility is stalling. Segment 2: Philippe Weiss, President, Seyfarth at Work, joins John to talk about the surge in mergers and acquisitions activity and what companies and employees should be aware of […]

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media, joins John Williams to talk about the trend of ‘job hugging’ and how workers are clinging to their jobs, where home values are rising and falling. Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, tells John about a Chicago startup that helps social service agencies book hotels for people in need being […]

Segment 1: Michael Miller, Economics Professor, Western Washington University and Professor Emeritus at DePaul University, joins John Williams to talk about how tariffs will impact general prices, why markets are still hitting all-time highs, when the Fed might cut interest rates, and to explain why initial labor report numbers are typically not reliable. Segment 2: Mike Spriggs, […]

Segment 1: Jason Turner, Chief Investment Strategist for Wintrust Wealth Management, joins John to talk about why the stock market continues to rise despite economic uncertainty, his thoughts on today’s hot inflation report, and if he thinks the Fed might cut rates in September. Segment 2: Jason Hiner, Editor in Chief, ZDNET, joins John to talk […]

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about the market hitting all-time highs and what to know if you are planning for retirement. Terry also answers all of your financial questions.

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. Abbott Laboratories spinoff AbbVie will spend nearly $200 million to expand its manufacturing plant in North Chicago. The plan is to expand domestic drug production and this project is part of the company’s previously announced $10 billion U.S. Capital plan. AbbVie […]

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about the job market tightening and the sacrifices that might need to be made to land a job. Tom also talks about the importance of making friends at work. Segment 2: Dennis Rodkin, residential real estate reporter for Crain's, joins John to talk about new home […]

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media, joins John Williams to talk about how many people are using ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ services, Nvidia and AMD agreeing to pay 15% of revenues from chip sales to China to the U.S. government, and how AI is creating billionaires. Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, tells John about […]

Segment 1: Craig Bolanos, Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about the overall health of the markets and the economy, how market volatility has almost collapsed, why it’s a good time to rebalance your portfolio, Trump nominating CEA chair Stephen Miran to the Federal Reserve […]

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. Chicago-based McDonald’s is debuting a retro adult Happy Meal next week. It comes with either a Quarter Pounder with cheese or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, fries, and a collectible souvenir featuring nostalgic characters. Ronald McDonald, Hamburglar, Mayor McCheese, and Grimace, will be […]

Segment 1: Elmwood Park Village President Angelo “Skip” Saviano tells John everything you need to know about the 2025 Taste of Elmwood Park! Segment 2: Business Journalist Mallika Mitra joins Jon Hansen to share the story behind her article, “The Case for Taking Mini-Retirements Along the Way in Your Career.” Mitra explains why more professionals, especially […]

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. Chicago’s Adler Planetarium has a new CEO. Elizabeth Babcock will replace Michelle Larson who had the job for more than a decade. Babcock was most recently director of the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum in Washington. She’s a former vice president […]

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. McDonald’s reported positive sales growth in the second quarter as it expanded its menu in an effort to bring back customers who are concerned about rising prices. Global sales are up 3.8% year-over-year as of June, well above market expectations. McDonald’s […]

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about the vibe shift happening surrounding the strength of the economy, the uncertainty over tariffs and how they will impact consumers, the softening of the job market, the latest on student loans, and what to know about interest rates and T Bills. Terry also answers […]

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about how some workers today are more concerned about individual wants rather than what is necessary to achieve. Tom says sometimes you just need to put your head down and work and success will come. Segment […]

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. Hoffman Estates-based Claire’s is closer to filing for bankruptcy. Bloomberg says the teen accessory chain missed June and July rent payments on some stores. The bankruptcy filing may come as soon as this week. Claire’s has also been exploring restructuring options […]

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. There’s some improvement to report in the retail vacancy rate on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Crain’s reports the rate dropped to 29.3% in July. That’s down from 34% in 2023. The report says it’s the first year-over-year drop in a decade. New […]

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media, joins Jon Hansen to talk about Fridays job report, revisions, the importance of getting real data, President Trump firing Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, if she believes prices are going to rise, and what you should know about the recently passed “trigger leads” law. Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director […]

Segment 1: Jane Oates, Senior Policy Advisor and recent President at WorkingNation, joins John Williams to breakdown the July labor report, why the monthly revisions were so concerning, and if the numbers will put more pressure on the Fed to cut rates. Segment 2: Matt Adams, principal at Deloitte Consulting specializing in retail, gives John all the details […]

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. Lollapalooza is back in Chicago and its economic impact is expected to be nearly a half billion dollars. Festival organizers say that figure was $440 million in 2024, including a $10 million rent payment to the city. Lollapalooza also generated about […]

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about Mayor Johnson’s efforts to tax the ultra-rich, the economic data released today including a strong GDP report, why the housing market is a cause for concern, the dilemma the Fed is facing about cutting rates, and what she expects from Friday’s labor report. Terry […]

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about the death of Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, how great chemistry is key to building a good team, the value of an internship and getting your foot in the door, and the importance of building bonds with your co-workers. Segment […]

Segment 1: Phillip Shaw, CFP, Senior Advisor, Goldstone Financial Group, joins John to talk about the markets being impervious to economic uncertainty, if it’s too early to assess the impact of tariffs, where he’s telling clients to park their money, what he expects from the Fed meeting this week, when the Fed should start cutting interest […]