Crain’s health care reporter Jon Asplund talks with host Amy Guth to review major health care stories of 2025 and those that could be big themes in the year ahead, including changes to Walgreens and Medline, access to research funding and care, and the evolving role of AI in health care and the role of the state. Plus: The City Council 2026 budget passed over Mayor Johnson's objections; feds say CTA security plan isn't good enough; apartment investor pays $135 million for West Loop tower; and Pr...
Dec 22, 2025•27 min•Ep. 1384
Crain's politics reporter Justin Laurence joins host Amy Guth to break down elements of the 2026 Chicago budget disputed in City Hall. Plus: Friends of the Parks wants a $50 million cut of the South Works quantum revamp, Baker Tilly enters South Florida market with deal for Berkowitz Pollack Brant, MetraMarket retail space up for sale and Lake Forest MBA program to shutter in June due to declining enrollment. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our...
Dec 19, 2025•20 min•Ep. 1383
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin and host Amy Guth discuss the latest local market news, including the owner of Michael Jordan's former home pitching a new plan for the estate. Plus: JPMorgan Chase to open Mag Mile flagship catering to affluent clients, Illinois among states suing Trump over $100,000 H-1B visa fee, Winston & Strawn creates new transatlantic law firm with Taylor Wessing merger and report warns northern Illinois just a few years away from electricity shor...
Dec 17, 2025•41 min•Ep. 1382
Illinois' marketplace has extended its health insurance enrollment deadline for plans starting Jan. 1. Crain’s contributor Jon Asplund discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Chicago dealmaking primed for 2026 uptick as tariff woes ease, Kraft Heinz replaces CEO ahead of split into two public companies, law firm beefs up Wacker Drive office space, DePaul University cuts more than 100 jobs and Portillo's plans to open in the Loop. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for info...
Dec 16, 2025•19 min•Ep. 1381
Crain's commercial real estate reporters Rachel Herzog and Danny Ecker talk with host Amy Guth about the themes that have defined 2025 — including economic uncertainty, office distress, stadium developments and the challenges facing the apartment market — as well as looking ahead to 2026. Plus: CME adds new crypto futures contracts in push for more retail traders, McKinsey plans thousands of job cuts in consulting industry slowdown, Byline Bank plans stock repurchase as shares hit 12-month high ...
Dec 15, 2025•39 min•Ep. 1380
Crain's reporter Ally Marotti joins host Amy Guth to reflect on trends and themes in the food and beverage industry throughout 2025, including rising costs and shifts in consumer behavior, and what's in store for the year ahead. Plus: New study says Cook County property tax incentives need a refresh, Pritzker signs controversial " medical aid in dying " bill into law, Enova inks $369 million deal to transform from online lender to bank holding company and philanthropists give $11 million for Lur...
Dec 13, 2025•40 min•Ep. 1379
Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Rachel Herzog joins host Amy Guth to discuss recent retail news, including Rivian’s planned dealership in Northbrook, Culver’s coming to the South Loop and Stratford Square Mall’s revamp . Plus: Judge rules Cook County's tax sale system unconstitutional, holiday spending slowdown squeezes smaller Chicago shops, American Airlines is picking up more O'Hare gates from Spirit and details emerge about the Gibson’s spot opening in Fulton Market. Hosted by Simple...
Dec 10, 2025•18 min•Ep. 1378
At a recent Crain’s event, hospital CEOs warned of fraying health care safety nets in the year ahead. Crain’s health care reporter Jon Asplund talks with host Amy Guth about where local health care leaders say they are planning their focus in the year ahead. Plus: Feds warn CTA to boost policing or lose transit funding, Mars wins unconditional EU nod for $36B Kellanova deal, United Airlines CEO Kirby nets nearly $13M in first big stock sale and GE HealthCare touts slate of new tech plus collabor...
Dec 09, 2025•20 min•Ep. 1377
Another State Street retail property sells at a big discount . Crain’s reporter Rachel Herzog discusses the Loop retail corridor with host Amy Guth. Plus: Blue Cross parent CEO got a hefty raise in 2024 despite 54% income drop; CME data center outage caused by human error, Cyrus One says; Morningstar to revamp analysis of mutual funds; and Smith family of Northern Trust and ITW gives record-breaking donation to Rush cancer center. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for...
Dec 08, 2025•19 min•Ep. 1376
A local developer is reviving and expanding an office-to-warehouses plan in Glenview that fell apart amid opposition from residents. Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Danny Ecker discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Mayor Johnson pours cold water on council bloc's alternative budget plan, New York investor buys Orland Park shopping center, Ulta Beauty raises outlook as demand for cosmetics remains robust and Foxtrot is reopening its old Loop location. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz compan...
Dec 05, 2025•19 min•Ep. 1375
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to talk news from the local housing market, including the region's shrinking home affordability at every tier. Plus: Breakaway aldermen offer counter-budget that kills head tax, developer seeks $47 million tax break for Loop office-to-residential project, Streeterville high-rise sale marks priciest local apartment deal since 2023 and Medline to weigh marketing $5 billion IPO. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See ...
Dec 03, 2025•47 min•Ep. 1374
CME Group's recent Aurora data center outage exposed a flaw in the exchange operator’s disaster recovery plan. Crain’s finance reporter Mark Weinraub discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: City asks airlines to rethink terminal construction plans as O'Hare traffic rises, Goldman Sachs to pay $2 billion for ETF issuer Innovator Capital, NU's ex-football coach Pat Fitzgerald hired by Michigan State and a new report says Trump cuts could shrink Illinois economy by $10 billion. Hosted by Simplecast, an...
Dec 02, 2025•27 min•Ep. 1373
The Siebel Institute, the country’s oldest brewing school, is leaving Chicago for Montreal . Crain's restaurants reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about why that matters for Chicago and the local craft beer industry. Plus: CME outage puts PE-owned Aurora data center under scrutiny, Northwestern joins Columbia in reaching deal with Trump team, Deere's disappointing outlook shows farm recovery is elusive and state cannabis taxes slipping as prices continue to fall. Hosted by Simplecas...
Dec 01, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1372
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about the dual markets in the Chicago area, with one soaring as the other stays flat. Plus: CTU to turn over financial audits to congressional committee, Medicare negotiates discounts on two AbbVie drugs, Thoma Bravo's Realpage settles DOJ rental collusion case and Abbott to replace glucose monitors after deaths possibly linked to false readings. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for infor...
Nov 26, 2025•43 min•Ep. 1371
Wining and dining has taken on new meaning as Chicago execs are now helicoptering clients to Michigan wine country. Crain's restaurants reporter Ally Marotti discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Argonne joins the AI arms race with allies Nvidia and Oracle, Amazon plans $15 billion data center buildout in northwest Indiana, USG shrinks downtown office footprint with lease renewal and Cameo wins restraining order against OpenAI in trademark lawsuit. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm...
Nov 25, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1370
Crain’s Who's Who list highlights people driving decisions, setting agendas and leading change across the Chicago area. Data editor Lyss Welding talks with host Amy Guth about the guide to the most influential figures shaping the region. Plus: CTU faces federal scrutiny over missing financial audits, a West Loop office tenant set to buy building from its landlord, One East Delaware sells in one of the year's priciest apartment deals and nursing schools sound alarm as feds restrict student loan a...
Nov 24, 2025•24 min•Ep. 1369
O'Hare air traffic has finally topped pre-pandemic levels and appears on track to break a record this year. Crain’s aviation reporter John Pletz discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: One of downtown's biggest distressed loans goes up for sale, Chicago Fed's Goolsbee says he's uneasy about "front loading" rate cuts, GE HealthCare to buy Intelerad for $2.3 billion in cash and feds accuse Chicago crypto firm and its CEO of laundering $10 million. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adsw...
Nov 21, 2025•18 min•Ep. 1368
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to talk news from the local market, including a Barrington mansion unsold and unoccupied for 18 years. Plus: Local firm pays $44 million for Deerfield shopping center, United pulls $248 million junk muni deals for Houston airport, Northwestern names new Kellogg center after largest-ever donation to biz school and allegations of secret diamond deals push Gold Coast jeweler's parent into bankruptcy. Hosted by Simplecast, an...
Nov 19, 2025•30 min•Ep. 1367
The city Finance Committee voted down Mayor Johnson's revenue plan , dealing a significant blow to his 2026 budget. Crain’s politics reporter Justin Laurence discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Hines eyes Boeing's West Loop tower after scuttled Sterling Bay deal, Big Ten's $2.4 billion deal talks extended after pushback, FTC drops fight for injunction blocking GTCR's Surmodics deal and a study finds NIH grant cuts leave hundreds of clinical trials, 74,000 patients in limbo. Hosted by Simplecast,...
Nov 18, 2025•26 min•Ep. 1366
Chicago homeowners have been hit with the steepest property tax bill hike in at least 30 years. Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Danny Ecker talks with host Amy Guth about contributing factors. Plus: Chicago trading floor gets second act powering AI-led future, downtown Chicago apartment rents jump again amid supply crunch, crypto firm's Burling Bank bid ready for state ruling and U of I bids out the next two buildings at quantum park. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.ads...
Nov 17, 2025•31 min•Ep. 1365
Tucked inside the massive bill to end the government shutdown, a ban on hemp-derived THC products . Crain’s cannabis reporter John Schroyer discusses the fallout from the ban with host Amy Guth. Plus: Johnson unveils amended budget to a skeptical City Council, AbbVie reportedly exits $1.5 billion longevity drug deal with Calico, big Chicago systems win out as three hospitals slide to F grades in Leapfrog report and Michelin just stripped Alinea of its three-star status. Hosted by Simplecast, an ...
Nov 14, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1364
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin and host Amy Guth discuss the latest news from the local housing market, including luxury home sales breaking an annual record with weeks still to go in 2025. Plus: Walgreens lists massive Old Post Office space for sublease, BDO claims it was impossible to detect alleged fraud at First Brands, owner of former Rainforest Cafe building facing foreclosure suit and Chicago lands another quantum computer maker. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz co...
Nov 12, 2025•35 min•Ep. 1363
Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Rachel Herzog joins host Amy Guth to discuss the latest deals around Chicago's rental market and supply's impact on rents. Plus: Walgreens cuts pay for store workers after $10 billion buyout, Zurich moving downtown office to Willis Tower, Volkswagen defies dealership protests with plan to begin Illinois warranty fees and FAA curbs private jet use at O'Hare amid air capacity crunch. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for informati...
Nov 11, 2025•20 min•Ep. 1362
Advocates say anxiety around ICE raids is taking toll on Chicago's mental health resources. Crain’s health care reporter Jon Asplund discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Private-label giant TreeHouse Foods acquired in $2.9 billion deal, Illinois awaits word on $1 billion in Big Beautiful Bill cash for rural hospitals, Sterling Bay's Lincoln Park life sciences building selling for medical office conversion and PNC opening 25 new Chicago locations as part of $2 billion branch expansion. Hosted by S...
Nov 10, 2025•21 min•Ep. 1361
Chicago fast-casual chain Protein Bar is cashing in in on America's protein obsession. Crain's restaurants reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about the chain’s growth strategy and diner demands. Plus: Allstate profit more than triples in the third quarter, World Business Chicago reboots economic development strategy, Johnson defends budget plan despite warning of credit downgrade and electrical equipment maker lays off 185 in shift from Illinois to Indiana. Hosted by Simplecast, an A...
Nov 07, 2025•24 min•Ep. 1360
Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin and host Amy Guth discuss the latest from the local housing market, including Cook County tax bill delays causing homebuyer headaches . Plus: The suite of health care bills passed by Illinois lawmakers, AAR inks big office lease at Merchandise Mart, GoHealth plans to cut nearly 500 more jobs and former Mayor Daley creates merchant bank with son and longtime associate. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for informat...
Nov 05, 2025•44 min•Ep. 1359
Cboe is restructuring to capitalize on surging U.S. options trading and has tapped an industry veteran to lead its new retail trading segment. Crain’s finance reporter Mark Weinraub discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: City Council calls special meeting to grill Ernst & Young over budget audit, quantum park developers seek IEPA sign-off to begin work, Chicago Fed's Goolsbee more worried by inflation than job market and Manny's Deli steps in to support SNAP recipients amid federal shutdown. Ho...
Nov 04, 2025•24 min•Ep. 1358
Neighborhood development throughout the city continues to be lopsided . Crain's assistant managing editor Cassandra West joins host Amy Guth to talk about the most recent Forum’s focus on equitable development. Plus: Chicago school board approves controversial $175 million pension payment to the city, AbbVie raises outlook on strong sales of mainstay drugs, New York firm picks up Niles shopping center for $40 million and Cameo sues OpenAI over trademarked name. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz c...
Nov 03, 2025•28 min•Ep. 1357
A bailout package for Chicago transit passed in Springfield as the Bears' stadium funding efforts were again shut out . Crain’s politics reporter Justin Laurence discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: 1871 is on the move to Edelman's downtown HQ, Senate OKs energy bill that includes billions for battery storage and nixes nuke ban, Heartland Bank expands in Illinois and Missouri with $170 million CNB buy, and Baxter lowers guidance. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for i...
Oct 31, 2025•24 min•Ep. 1356
Crain's residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to talk news from the local housing market, including Chicago's narrowing lead over U.S. home price growth. Plus: Fed cuts rates quarter point, sets end to balance-sheet runoff, GE HealthCare takes $100 million hit from tariffs, Kraft Heinz lowers sales outlook as CEO warns of worst consumer sentiment in decades and Mondelez also trims outlook, and a developer gets $94 million construction loan for the first phase of its ...
Oct 29, 2025•39 min•Ep. 1355
