A surprising rise in Illinois's unemployment rate in September tops the week's business headlines. WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel joins us with the details on that plus the rest of the recent business news.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines; The CTA proposing $3 fares and service cuts; Mayor Daley urges lawmakers to repeal free senior transit rides; 90 African-American ministers endorse Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's re-election bid; downtown office vacancies at a 3-year high; Playboy hoping their new CEO can spark a revival; and the Bears getting ready for the Falcons. Guests:

We hear what you have to say about some of our recent stories when we read our viewer mail, including why Prevention magazine says microwave popcorn is one of the foods that should never cross your lips.

The Dow broke through the 10,000 mark today for the first time in a year. Is it a sign that the economy is rebounding? Eddie Arruza and his panelists look at where we are in terms of recovery.

Putting Marge Simpson on the cover of Playboy is just one of the ways the Chicago-based company's new CEO is trying to attract younger readers. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio's Noon Business Hour joins us with the details, plus the rest of the week's business news.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: President Obama sends in key cabinet members to meet with city officials about Chicago's surging youth violence; a bankruptcy judge approves the sale of the Chicago Sun-Times to financier Jim Tyree; the CTA is in yet another budget crunch; video poker is banned in Cook County; Chicago is still stunned by its first-round Olympic elimination; the Cubs sale is approved by Major League Baseball owners; and the Bears are riding the hot arm of Jay Cutler. Guests:

The man attempting to buy the Chicago Sun-Times, Jim Tyree, sits down with Eddie Arruza to talk about the future of the newspaper.

Rich Samuels has the latest on the continuing debate over the ban of video gambling in unincorporated areas of Cook County.

What's the economic impact of Chicago's Olympic washout? Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780's Noon Business Hour joins us with the fallout, plus the rest of the week's business news.

We meet a Northwest suburban couple and find out how they're coping with mid-life unemployment during the recession.

We hear what you had to say about Chicago's failed bid when we read our viewer mail.

Video Poker Ban Legalized video poker will not be coming to unincorporated areas of Cook County. Rich Samuels tells us what was behind the vote county commissioners took today.

Small business owners have had a hard time getting credit since the onset of the recession. We meet some savvy entrepreneurs who have weathered the storm with the help of "microcredit." ACCION Chicago CEDA Chicago Community Ventures Jewish Vocational Service

What do Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Radio Flyer -- maker of the famous red wagons -- have in common? They are two of the top places to work in the country, according to the Wall Street Journal. We talk to each of them about why they got the honor. The Top Small Workplaces 2009 -- The Wall Street Journal

We hear what you have to say about some of our recent stories when we read our viewer mail.

Chicago's Boeing is well known for building planes, but their next project could be far loftier. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio's Noon Business Hour shares those details, plus the rest of the week's business news.