Your Money Matters with Jon Hansen

Tom Fortino, Founder and Principal, Alpha Wealth Group, and host of “The Alpha Wealth Hour” on WGN Radio, joins Jon Hansen to talk about inflation, social security, and AI trade. TUNE IN to WGN Radio and listen to The Alpha Wealth Hour on Sundays at 7 AM. Catch up on previous episodes on WGNRadio.com, and subscribe […]

Idhant Ranjant joins us for our first Build-A-Biz financial literacy lesson! Idhant breaks down the 50/30/20 rule: allocating 50% to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings. Plus, Jon and Idhant talk about why a high-yield savings account in a credit union is a smart money move. Build-A-Biz is a student-led financial literacy nonprofit […]

Tim Stearns, owner and president of TJ Stearns Financial Planning & Benefits, joins Jon Hansen to discuss inflation and what stocks you should be looking at for your portfolio. Plus, Tim shares how to prepare for market fluctuations. For more information, call 800-640-2256.

Steve Bugg, President & CEO of Great Lakes Credit Union, joins WGN's Jon Hansen to discuss the 100-year anniversary of Chicago Municipal Employees Credit Union and the partnership they have with GLCU. For more information, visit: www.glcu.org.

Lenny Feil, Designated Managing Broker and Owner at Century 21 Harthside Realtors, joins Jon Hansen for the Front Porch Report. Lenny shares what you should do to your home before putting it on the market. For more information, visit lennyfeil.com or call 708-870-0514.

Former WGN agri-business broadcaster Max Armstrong joins Jon Hansen to talk about screwworms and how they can cause beef prices to rise. Plus, the two chat about how rain is a welcome sight for farmers.

Where are you with your finances, and where do you want to be? Every Monday, Jon Hansen is joined by a specialist from Mesirow to discuss a different financial topic on Your Money Matters. In this episode, Sophia Yudkowsky, Vice President and Wealth Advisor at Mesirow, talks about equality in the household when it comes to investing. Sophia explains […]

On this airing of Your Money Matters: Certified fraud examiner, Professor at Governors State University, and expert on all things fraud, William Kresse, joins Jon Hansen to discuss Facebook disabling accounts for scammers. Tim Paradis, a Future-of-work correspondent at Business Insider, joins to discuss the need for guards at data centers and how much companies are willing […]

Robert W. Mann Jr., Airline Industry Analyst and Consultant at R.W. Mann & Company, joins Jon Hansen to discuss why air travel will be more expensive this summer.

Craig Bolanos, Co-founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins Jon Hansen on Your Money Matters to discuss the latest market numbers. On topics like spending, borrowing, investing, and retirement, US adults correctly answered only 47% of questions on the TIAA Institute's 2026 test. Craig breaks down why that is and how money values can transcend […]

Meet the AI robot companion that helps with healthcare needs and more. Assaf Gad, General Manager and Chief Strategy Officer at Intuition Robotics, joins Jon Hansen to talk about ElliQ. Assaf shares how ElliQ forms conversations around your needs. Whether it’s helping with medication, social isolation, or daily tasks, it makes every day easier and more […]

Dave Schlueter of the Law Offices of David R. Schlueter joins Jon Hansen to explain why you can’t be the source of legal help if you are not a lawyer yourself. To learn more about what Dave Schlueter can help you with, go to schlueterlawoffice.com or call 1-630-285-5300.

Lenny Feil, Designated Managing Broker and Owner at Century 21 Harthside Realtors, joins Jon Hansen for the Front Porch Report. Lenny shares why selling your home now might be the smartest move you make this year. For more information, visit lennyfeil.com or call 708-870-0514.

Every Monday, Jon Hansen is joined by a specialist from Mesirow to discuss a different financial topic on Your Money Matters. In this episode, Sophia Yudkowsky, Vice President and Wealth Advisor at Mesirow Wealth Management, joins Jon Hansen to talk about equality in the household when it comes to investing. On average, women live longer than men, they are now […]

Brian Hoogeveen, The Cash Man from Americash Jewelry & Coin Buyers, joins Jon Hansen on Your Money Matters to talk about items that could be worth money. Listeners ask about Mickey Mantle autographs, Beanie Babies, and oil paintings. If you think you have items you'd like to have appraised, visit topcashbuyer.com or call (630) 969-9600

Shrader's Goods, which specializes in Chicago firefighter-themed clothing and merchandise, was sent a cease-and-desist letter by the city for selling items “confusingly similar to the City Logos.” Erin Russell of The Russell Firm joins Jon Hansen to talk about this story and break down whether the city has a case. If you have a copyright or trademark […]

Donna Reynolds, Tourism Operations Manager for Ottawa Visitors Center, joins Jon Hansen to talk about future events that listeners can look forward to in Ottawa.

Patrick Dolan, Employment Lawyer at Conti & Dolan, joins Jon Hansen to discuss how AI is affecting the workplace. Is Claude helping or hindering employees? Patrick and Jon chat about this and more. For more information, visit www.contidolanlaw.com or call 312-332-7800.

Craig Bolanos, Co-founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins Jon Hansen on Your Money Matters to discuss the latest market numbers. The Trump account app goes live, oil prices, and how the Middle East conflict is affecting the markets. For more information, go to GetRetiredStayRetired.com.

Tim Stearns, owner and president of TJ Stearns Financial Planning & Benefits, joins Jon Hansen to discuss planning for retirement and Roth options. For more information, call 800-640-2256.

Rebecca J. Solomon, Senior Vice President and Estate Planning Specialist at Mesirow, joins Jon Hansen on Mesirow Monday. The two talk about getting ready for retirement and settling an estate. Visit www.mesirow.com for more information.

Jon Hansen is joined by James Rodriguez, Senior Real Estate Reporter at Business Insider, to discuss why renters have more power in today's market and how landlords are cutting deals to keep tenants from moving out. James explains how a glut of new apartments, softening rents, and added concessions like free months or flat renewals […]

Steve Bugg, President & CEO of Great Lakes Credit Union, joins WGN's Jon Hansen to discuss Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act (IFPA) and what it means for consumers and community financial institutions. Steve explains what interchange fees are, why the new Illinois law is problematic for credit unions and community banks, and how it could ultimately […]

Managing Director of Innovation DuPage Dan Facchini joins Jon Hansen on Your Money Matters to discuss how their programs are helping businesses and organizations grow. Tony Demma, Owner of Green Grease, joins them to share how they participated in the Clean Energy Incubator Program and how they process used cooking oil into biodiesel fuel. Tony talks about […]

Faran Krentcil, Business of Fashion columnist and founder of fashionista.com, joins Jon Hansen on Your Money Matters to discuss brands creating custom red carpet looks. Why create the pieces and not make them available for purchase? What are companies expecting from red carpet looks? Faran answers these questions and more! To stay up to date on […]

Justin Laurence, Reporter at Crain’s Chicago Business, joins Jon Hansen on Your Money Matters to discuss how a private equity firm has made a deal to obtain ownership of Chicago’s 75-year parking concession contract.

Rebecca J. Solomon, Senior Vice President and Estate Planning Specialist at Mesirow, joins Jon Hansen on Mesirow Monday. The two talk about the importance of having a safe space to house all of your important documents and keeping them organized. Make sure you are ready for retirement or an emergency with Mesirow. Visit www.mesirow.com for more […]

Some women are frequently torn down when they outearn their partners. Author of THE AMBITION PENALTY: How Corporate Culture Tells Women to Step Up — and Then Pushes Them Down, Stefanie O’Connell, joins Jon Hansen on Your Money Matters to talk about the disconnection between financial success and gender roles in the dating world.

Brian Hoogeveen, The Cash Man from Americash Jewelry & Coin Buyers, joins Jon Hansen to discuss items that could be worth money. Looking to sell your silver or gold? What about a pearl necklace or Michael Jordan memorabilia? Brian can help you and answer your questions! If you think you have items you'd like to have appraised, visit topcashbuyer.com or […]

Jake Hayes, Owner of Deep Roots Native Nursery, joins Jon Hansen to talk about how he started growing native plants. With over 7,000 plants in his inventory, Jake is hoping to bring more native plants to our area. Jake shares his goal of working with plants full-time, his work in habitat restoration, and more. For […]

Craig Bolanos, Co-founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins Jon Hansen on Your Money Matters to discuss the latest market numbers. The Nasdaq hits record highs, Kevin Warsh is confirmed as the new Fed chair as inflation is kicking higher, and credit card delinquencies are high. Jon and Craig break down these topics and more. […]

Tim Stearns, owner and president of TJ Stearns Financial Planning & Benefits, joins Jon Hansen to discuss what happens if the market drops right after you retire. Tim talks about the importance of having a financial plan and breaks down why longevity risk is the biggest retirement risk out there. For more information, call 800-640-2256.

Build-A-Biz is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial literacy education to students from Kindergarten to young adults. Two of the minds behind the organization join Jon on Your Money Matters. Students Idhant Ranjan and Ankita Senapati share how Build-A-Biz got started. The duo shares how they give classes twice a week, their work in […]

Former WGN agri-business broadcaster Max Armstrong joins Jon Hansen on Your Money Matters to discuss the latest in agriculture news. Max and Jon talk about diesel prices, fertilizer, and what Max predicts for the world of farming in the future months.

Sean O'Kane, Senior Reporter of Transportation at TechCrunch, joins Jon Hasen to discuss how Avride, Uber’s partner, is under investigation for crashes involving their driverless cars. To read more stories that Sean has covered, visit techcrunch.com/author/sean-okane/.

Dave Schlueter of the Law Offices of David R. Schlueter joins Jon Hansen to explain joint tenancy with right of survivorship and what you should know about it. To learn more about what Dave Schlueter can help you with, go to schlueterlawoffice.com or call 1-630-285-5300.

Rebecca J. Solomon, Senior Vice President and Estate Planning Specialist at Mesirow, joins Jon Hansen on Mesirow Monday. Once your child turns 18, you can't make medical decisions for them. Rebecca talks about the importance of having a power of attorney for health decisions in case something happens to your child.

Rae Kaplan of Kaplan Law joins Jon Hansen to discuss the story of a borrower who received a letter stating her loans had been paid off, then received a lawsuit from the company to collect her full balance. Plus, Rae shares the changes coming to Parent PLUS loan borrowers.

Stephen Kates, Financial Advisor at Bankrate, joins Jon Hansen on Your Money Matters to discuss the latest market numbers plus the opportunity for prospective buyers based on current prices. For more information about Stephen, visit www.bankrate.com/authors/stephen-kates.

Steve Baranowski, Senior Vice President of Residential Lending at Marquette Bank, joins Jon Hansen on Your Money Matters to talk about hidden inventory and private listings. Steve shares how waiting for lower rates might cost buyers, as the market will be flooded with buyers and home prices will rise. Plus, Steve shares the mistakes buyers are […]

Dominick Reuter, Senior Retail Reporter at Business Insider, joins Jon Hansen to talk about how Walmart is using digital price tags and how both customers and workers are reacting to them.

Rebecca J. Solomon, Senior Vice President and Estate Planning Specialist at Mesirow, joins Jon Hansen on Mesirow Monday to discuss gifting. The two talk about gifting your children money for a down payment, tax hits, and where things can get complicated. Rebecca and Jon talk about how to make the best decision if you want […]