Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias joins us to discuss what role he played in his now-struggling family bank.

Jake and Elwood may have started the job and now the state plans to finish it. The demolition of the Dixieland Mall is underway. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM has that and other top business stories.

We meet a Chicago man who wants to change the way America thinks about table tennis. Where to play ping pong/table tennis in Chicago

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: As the state's budget crisis continues to grow, support is growing for a major income tax hike; legislation to end free CTA rides for all seniors is moving forward in Springfield; 8 underperforming Chicago Public Schools are set to be closed or completely overhauled; O'Hare airport gets full body scanners; Mayor Daley suggests privatizing parts of pricey McCormick Place; and the Cubs and Sox are working off the rust in spring training. Guests:

Eddie Arruza has the latest from the Chicago Board of Education on the school closings.

Full body scanners will be installed at O'Hare in the coming weeks. Carol Marin and her panel take a closer look at what they do, how they do it, and why they make some people nervous.

Chicago architect Jeanne Gang's Chicago highrise, Aqua, tops a 2009 list of international "skyscrapers of the year." We revisit our recent interview with the architect.

A unique dining experience is coming to a table near you. We go inside the secretive world of underground supper clubs. Clandestino

The president of the CTA's bus union and CTA President Richard Rodriguez join us to talk about what how they can work together to roll back layoffs and service cuts.

Who will end up owning Chicago's iconic Water Tower Place? A nasty battle is heating up between regional rivals General Growth Properties and Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group. Kris Kridel tells us who has the edge.

New credit card reforms designed to protect consumers went into effect today. We talk to the Chicago Tribune's personal finance columnist about the changes. "What You Need to Know: New Credit Card Rules" -- Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

The state is facing financial doomsday, and if lawmakers don't enact major tax increases and spending cuts, it's only going to get worse. That according to a report released today from the Civic Federation of Chicago. We talk to the author of the report and get his take on how the state can regain its financial health. "A Fiscal Rehabilitation Plan for the State of Illinois" -- The Civic Federation

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: George Ryan's wife reaches out to President Obama to release the former governor from prison early; Mayor Daley is letting the public apply for open aldermanic seats; more controversy is brewing in the race for lieutenant governor; Governor Quinn signs a bill that ousts the entire McCormick Place board; red-light cameras are being scrutinized by lawmakers in Springfield; and the Bulls were busy at the trade deadline. Guests:

The $800+ billion dollar stimulus bill was signed into law one year ago. Has it worked? We have insight from Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, whom Newsweek calls "an economic prophet."

We find out what the buzz behind Google's latest creation is all about. Google Buzz

Would it make you feel better or worse if a few savvy investors were making big money from this winter's big snowfalls? Kris Kridel joins us with the details of that story, plus the rest of the week's business news.