Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Governor Quinn reportedly considering hiking income taxes by 50 percent; 27 Chicago Public School students already killed this school year; CTA fare hikes and service cuts on the table; the Sears Tower being renamed; the Art Institute boosting admission cost 50 percent; Chicago aldermen balk at being investigated by the city's inspector general; and the Bulls and Blackhawks battling for playoff positions. Guests:

General Motors could be on the brink of bankruptcy while Ford and Chrysler are struggling to survive. How did the big three automakers reach such dire straits, and what will be the economic impact if even one files for bankruptcy? We tackle those questions and more in tonight's installment of "The Bottom Line." More on "The Bottom Line"

Desperate times can call for desperate measures, like visiting a psychic for financial advice. We meet investors turning to tarot cards for help.

Donald Trump settles a high-profile lawsuit over his Chicago tower, but other high profile high-rises are not fairing so well. Kris Kridel of the "Noon Business Hour" on WBBM Newsradio 780 joins us with more on this and the day's other business headlines.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Mayor Daley's former Streets and Sanitation commissioner on trial for alleged hiring fraud; Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley wins the Democratic primary to fill Rahm Emanuel's congressional seat; former governor Rod Blagojevich lands a six-figure book deal; Chicago foreclosure rates soaring; the Cubs and Sox battle in spring training; and the Bulls Norm Van Lier and Johnny "Red" Kerr laid to rest. Guests:

The Dow drops 281 points to a new 12-year low. Morningstar's Paul Larson joins us with analysis.

If President Obama gets his way, next year's federal budget will be the costliest ever and it comes with big changes to the tax code. We take a look at who will be paying more and who will get a break in tonight's installment of "The Bottom Line." More on "The Bottom Line"

Is a bottom anywhere in sight for the stock market or is the worst yet to come? Eddie Arruza discusses the country's economic outlook with financial analyst Terry Savage and the Chicago Tribune's Greg Burns.

The Dow Jones industrial average dropped below 7,000 for the first time since 1997 closing at 6,762. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780's "Noon Business Hour" joins us with more.

Starbucks is hoping its new instant coffee attracts some buzz and jolts the company's lackluster performance. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz talks about how his coffee empire is weathering the weak economy.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Embattled Sen. Roland Burris refuses to step down; former Chicago Alderman Ed Vrdolyak escapes jail time; Gov. Quinn running for re-election in 2010; Chicago Public School officials vote to close or consolidate 16 underperforming schools; federal bailout recipient Northern Trust Bank under fire for sponsoring a golf tournament and throwing lavish parties; and Chicago mourns the loss of Bulls legends Norm Van Lier and Johnny "Red" Kerr. Guests:

The federal government has injected hundreds of billions of dollars into the nation's banking system, but two of the country's biggest banks are teetering on insolvency. What will it take to save the floundering financial industry? That is our focus tonight in our economic segment, "The Bottom Line." More on "The Bottom Line"

"The Fixer," Stephanie Zimmerman, tells us how the troubled economy has become the bait for drawing more victims into consumer fraud. She shares the details of some of those scams and how to avoid them.

Understanding the nation's current financial crisis is no easy task, but has the press helped or hurt the public's understanding of the economic downturn? Carol Marin sits down with a panel of business reporters who discuss the media's coverage of the financial downturn.

Only 600 condominiums sold in downtown Chicago last year, compared to the previous year when nearly 4,000 sold. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780's "Noon Business Hour" joins us with the details of that story plus the stories behind the rest of the week's business headlines.

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