Carol Marin and her panel of journalists take a look at some of the biggest political stories, including the state budget and the election.

We find out how Swedish Covenant Hospital took an unusual approach to dealing with the recession, and its employees.

Lawmakers expect to pass a budget this week in Springfield. Just how will they make up the budget shortfall and what agencies will feel the pinch? Carol Marin and her panel discuss this and more. For more on the story...

United and Continental are officially birds of a feather. We talk to WBBM Newsradio's Kris Kridel about the big merger that makes Chicago-based United the largest airline company in the world.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: President Obama gives a boost to the Giannoulias campaign during a visit to Illinois this week; Mayor Daley balks at the suggestion of sending in the National Guard to help police Chicago's deadly streets; United and Continental Airlines are reportedly close to striking a mega-merger deal; immigration protests are planned in Chicago and across the country this weekend; Walmart is going to meet face to face with organized labor about its proposed Chicago expansion plans; and the Blackhawks advance to the conference semifinals against the V

What does it mean that federal regulators have seized the more than 30-year-old Giannoulias family-owned Broadway Bank? Kris Kridel discusses this and other business news.

The battle over regulating the financial markets is heating up this week. Carol Marin examines what's on the table and the looming fight on Capitol Hill. For more on the story...

We talk to Charles Evans, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, about economic recovery and much more.

What role did the Chicago-based Society of Women Engineers play in the latest Barbie incarnation? Kris Kridel joins us with those details, plus a roundup of the rest of the week's business news.

WBBM News radio 780's Kris Kridel fills us in on the week's top business stories, including a local business connection to Sunday's demolition of Texas Stadium.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Governor Quinn is trailing Republican challenger Bill Brady by 10 points, according to a new poll; Forrest Claypool is running as an independent in the Cook County Assessor's race; United Airlines and US Airways have renewed merger talks; violence is surging on Chicago's deadly streets; and the Cubs and Sox embark on a new season. Guests:

The financial meltdown caught everyone by surprise in 2008 -- except the rogue traders who saw it coming and made billions from it. The bestselling author of the new book The Big Short is here with the inside story of what brought Wall Street down.

The new owner of the Ambassador East Hotel has a new vision for the building. So what does this mean for the hotel's legendary Pump Room restaurant? Kris Kridel will be here with that story, plus the rest of the week's business news.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: The state's bond rating was downgraded to the second-lowest in the country; voters are getting to know Governor Quinn's running mate, Sheila Simon; drivers are bracing for construction season delays; trade show customers are threatening to leave pricey McCormick Place; and the Cubs and Sox open the new baseball season next week. Guests:

There's another casualty in Chicago's high-end fashion scene. Kris Kridel brings us another familiar story in this recession.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines; Governor Quinn is backing Paul Simon's daughter, Sheila, for his running mate; Illinois lawmakers finally pass pension reforms; U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan allegedly kept a clout list of requests to get into coveted Chicago magnet schools; President Obama signs historic health care legislation; an alleged beating by off-duty Chicago police officers was caught on tape; and the Cubs and Sox Opening Day lineups are taking shape. Guests: