The Wintrust Business Lunch with John Williams from WGN Radio 720
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Wintrust Podcasts
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Wintrust Business Lunch 8/18/25: Job hugging, home values, Uber Freight shakeup, Chicago Slice Paddle in the Park
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 agenci…
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Wintrust Business Lunch 8/15/25: Tariff impact on prices, BLS data, small business survey, Social Security anniversary
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 re…
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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 abo…
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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. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7646644/8-13-25_Wintrust_Business_Lunch_Terry_Savage_stock_market_all_time_hig…
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Wintrust Business Minute: AbbVie to spend $200 million to expand North Chicago manufacturing plant
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 i…
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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 sal…
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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 Colla…
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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 Reserv…
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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, a…
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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, …
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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 at Chi…
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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 did see …
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Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins Jon Hansen 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 als…
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Wintrust Business Lunch 8/5/25: Work ethic, celebratory layoffs, TJ Stearns Financial Planning and Benefits
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 2: Philippe Weiss, P…
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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 i…
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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 tenants include Mango and…
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Wintrust Business Lunch 8/4/25: Jobs report revisions, rising prices, work flexibility, Canal Street Eatery
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. Segm…
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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 th…
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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 $7 million in am…
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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 …
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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 2: Tom Fortino, Founder and Pri…
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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 rates, a…
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Wintrust Business Lunch 7/25/25: Market rally, interest rate outlook, South Chicago Packing, Loop activity
Segment 1: Steven Esposito, President of Yellowstone Wealth Management in Lake Forest, talks to John about today’s market rally, the Trump v. Jerome Powell feud, why he thinks interest rates should be lower, why Powell might be hesitant to lower rates, his thoughts on the trade deals and what that could mean for the market, the rotation into the Ru…
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Dave Schwan has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. A governmental agency, one year older than the country, turns 250 tomorrow. The Postal Service was formed July 26, 1775 with Benjamin Franklin as postmaster general. Nearly every American gets some sort of mail daily, despite the service’s financial problems. The Postal…
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Ryan Burrow has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. The destruction of the old Sears headquarters in Hoffman Estates was completed this week. It took just under a year to demolish the nearly 2.5 million square-foot former home of the retail giant. That 273-acre site will soon become the home to five data centers, at just…
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Wintrust Business Lunch 7/24/25: Job survey, AI action plan, data center water crisis, Chicago Pizza Pass
Segment 1: Mark Hamrick, Washington Bureau Chief and Senior Economic Analyst for Bankrate.com, talks to John about a new Bankrate survey that shows nearly 1 in 2 workers plan to search for a new job in the coming year. Segment 2: Bree Fowler, Senior Writer, CNET, joins John Williams to talk about President Donald Trump unveiling a new plan for Amer…
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Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about how how the market has performed since President Trump’s tariff announcement, what that market swing means for your 401(k), why it’s a good time to revisit your asset allocation, and what it means that 401(k) plans have caught the eye of Wall Street …
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Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about the Coldplay ‘Kiss Cam’ couple and how to handle these situations when they show up in the workplace. Segment 2: Philippe Weiss, President, Seyfarth at Work, joins John to talk about the peril that often comes with more power. In a quest for companies to beco…
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Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo just held its 48th annual Zoo Ball and the event was the highest-grossing ball in the zoo’s history. Crain’s reports the ball raised $1.8 million. The event helps fund animal care, conservation and education programs. The money is also used…
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Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media and Best Money Moves, joins John Williams to talk about home inventory hitting a 5-year high, and the latest ping pong game of ‘he said-he said’ between President Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, tells Jo…
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Wintrust Business Lunch 7/18/25: Market round-up, small business success, June’s Fiserv Small Business Index and The LaSalle Chicago Hotel
Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media and Best Money Moves, joins John Williams to ‘color in’ the details surrounding what the markets have done this past week. Segment 2: Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Success for Constant Contact joins John Williams to talk about how small businesses stay on top during summer, the slow seas…
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Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. SC Johnson is moving 170 Chicago-based employees to Wisconsin. The company says the move will foster strong collaboration. The Chicago workers are being moved to the consumer goods company’s Racine-area facilities and the moves are expected to happen before the end o…
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Wintrust Business Lunch 7/17/25: Credit cards, Mark Zuckerberg and Meta lawsuit, candle to help Texas relief
Segment 1: Ted Rossman, Senior Industry Analyst at Bankrate, joins John to share tips on how to pay off credit card debt. Segment 2: Bree Fowler, Senior Writer, CNET, cnet.com, joins John to talk about the class action $8 billion investors’ lawsuit against Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and the company leaders, and other business news. Segment 3: Emily S…
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Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. Portillo’s and Lou Malnati’s are collaborating on Chicago Dog Deep Dish Pizza. It’s a pizza with all seven ingredients that you’d find on a classic Chicago style dog, including mustard, relish, onions, tomato, pickle, sport peppers and celery salt. There’s a sliced-u…
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Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. Jack in the Box has made good on its promise to return to the Chicago area. Last year, the west coast eatery announced 12 new locations in the Chicago area and made good on the promise earlier this week. The first of those locations opened Monday in southwest suburba…
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Craig Bolanos, Co-founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins John Williams on The Wintrust Business Lunch to talk about President Trump’s reversal on a ban of selling H20 A.I. chips to China. Craig also discusses the rise in consumer prices last month as well as how the Federal Reserve will likely hold off on an interest rate cut …
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Wintrust Business Lunch 7/15/25: CPS layoffs, the pros and cons of the CTA and Consumer prices rose 0.3% last month
Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about CPS layoffs and what types of jobs those people try and get post-layoffs. Tom then pivots and discusses the importance of the CTA as well as the problems with it and how those aspects impact Chicago businesses and commuters. Segment 2: Craig Bolanos, Co-found…
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Segment 1: Paul Nolte, Senior Wealth Advisor and Market Strategist, Murphy & Sylvest, joins John to talk about the ongoing news surrounding tariffs. Then, Paul breaks down bank earnings and inflation data. Segment 2: Brad Folkens, Co-founder, iAsk.ai joins John to talk about what makes this software so useful for all A.I. curious users. Segment 3: …
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Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. There’s been no comment from Chicago-based Kraft Heinz about a report that it’s planning to break up its business. The Wall Street Journal first reported last week about a plan to spin off a large portion of the Kraft Heinz grocery business. The new entity would be v…
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Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. Pure Lithium is moving to Chicago. The next-generation battery technology company will relocate its entire operation from Boston to Fulton Market. Its $46 million investment will enable the company to manufacture the first commercially viable lithium metal battery he…
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Segment 1: Michael Miller, Economics Professor, Western Washington University and Professor Emeritus at DePaul University, joins John Williams to talk explain how one person has so much power over tariffs and the economy, the role immigrants play in our economy, why fertility is falling across the world, and how much weather forecasters can impact …
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Segment 1: Jared Dillian, Best selling financial author of the new book, ‘Rule 62: Meditations on Success and Spirituality,’ joins John Williams the latest rounds of tariffs including the tariff on Brazil and copper. Jared also explains his journey of writing his newest self-help book. Segment 2: Bree Fowler, Senior Writer, CNET, joins John William…
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Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. A company with ties to the Chicago area has a deal to buy the WK Kellogg company for $3.1 billion. Ferrero is based in Italy but has manufacturing facilities in Chicago and suburban Franklin Park. The company also operates an innovation center in the Loop. The deal f…
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Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about what we need to know about Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill. Terry explains what the bill does, what it doesn’t do, and to clear up confusion about taxes and social security benefits. And as always, Terry answers all of your financial questions. And John a…
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Wintrust Business Minute: American Airlines ask for injunction against United Airlines over awarded O’Hare gates
Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. There’s a new development in the fight over gates at O’Hare Airport. American Airlines is asking a court for an injunction to block the awarding of more gates to United Airlines. The City of Chicago is reallocating gates and United is poised to gain five gates. Ameri…
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Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to talk about how to make yourself a valuable commodity at work. Segment 2: Philippe Weiss, President, Seyfarth at Work, joins John to talk about how AI is enhancing human management habits. Segment 3: Dennis Rodkin, residential real estate reporter for Crain’s, joins John…
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Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. There’s a new CEO at Deerfield’s Baxter International. Crain’s reports the company has appointed Andrew Hider as President, CEO and board member. He’s expected to start later this year. He’ll replace Brent Shafer who moves to independent chair of Baxter. He’s been se…
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Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media and Chief Communications Officer and Chief Wellness Officer, Best Money Moves, joins John Williams to talk about extreme greed taking over the market, what’s in the Big Beautiful Bill, and some stats on the massive gig economy. Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Co…
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Segment 1: Jack Ablin, Chief Investment Officer and Founding Partner, Cresset Capital, talks to John about the market powering back despite ongoing uncertainty, what’s behind the market hitting all-time highs, the complex bond market picture, and the U.S. dollar experiencing its worst first half since 1973. Segment 2: Greg Glass, CEO, Fanstake, joi…
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Don Kleppin has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. Illinois closed its fiscal year with a record $54 billion in revenue—$717 million over budget. Strong personal income tax growth led the gains, but officials warn federal cuts could pressure next year’s finances. Comptroller Mendoza added to the state’s rainy day fund a…
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