Census figures show Chicago's downtown growing faster than any city in America. Plus: just who are President Obama and Mitt Romney's biggest local donors? Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM has those stories, and more top business headlines.

The philosophy of Ayn Rand has made its way to the presidential campaign. The head of the Ayn Rand Institute joins us to talk about Rand's philosophy, and why he thinks it may hold the solution to America's economic woes.

Illinois unemployment has risen for the third month in a row, and things could get worse if Congress elects to walk off the so-called "fiscal cliff." Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM joins us to discuss that story, and more top business headlines.

American Airlines sends out layoff warnings to 11,000 employees, including 900 in Chicago. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM has that story, and more top business headlines.

What will the economic impact of the teachers' strike be if a settlement is not reached soon? Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM joins us to discuss that story, and more top business headlines.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services announced Wednesday that it is lowering their rating on bonds issued by the state of Illinois from an A+ rating to an A rating. The cost of General Obligation bonds will now increase for taxpayers because of the lower A rating. S&P analysts noted that the rating was lowered due to “the state’s weak pension funding levels and lack of action on reform measures.”

Groupon shares plunge 27 percent as second quarter earnings underwhelm. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM has that story, and more top business headlines.

If you get sweet cravings at strange times, help is on hand. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM has that story, and more top business headlines.

Utility giant ComEd's first female president talks about the company's future plans to keep customers out of the dark.

The markets react as the Fed wraps up its latest meeting. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM has that story, and more top business headlines.

Some staffers at the Chicago Tribune are concerned over the paper's relationship with Journatic, a content provider accused of messy ethics. We discuss Journatic and the future of hyperlocal journalism.

A major score for Chicago as Motorola Mobility relocates to the city, bringing 3,000 jobs. But at what cost? Paris Schutz has the story.

Illinois companies are moving the markets this week because of their global presence. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM joins us to discuss that story, and more top business headlines.

A new Zillow report says the housing market has hit bottom, but is it the bottom? We discuss with Deal Estate's Dennis Rodkin.

We speak with former top White House economist Austan Goolsbee about Chicago's job performance.

The Chicago Tribune looks set to finally emerge from bankruptcy, while the disgraced head of futures brokerage PFGBest says "it was the regulator that made me do it." Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM has those stories, and more top business headlines.