Crain’s Who's Who list highlights people driving decisions, setting agendas and leading change across the Chicago area. Data editor Lyss Welding talks with host Amy Guth about the guide to the most influential figures shaping the region. Plus: CTU faces federal scrutiny over missing financial audits, a West Loop office tenant set to buy building from its landlord, One East Delaware sells in one of the year's priciest apartment deals and nursing schools sound alarm as feds restrict student loan access.

O'Hare air traffic has finally topped pre-pandemic levels and appears on track to break a record this year. Crain’s aviation reporter John Pletz discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: One of downtown's biggest distressed loans goes up for sale, Chicago Fed's Goolsbee says he's uneasy about "front loading" rate cuts, GE HealthCare to buy Intelerad for $2.3 billion in cash and feds accuse Chicago crypto firm and its CEO of laundering $10 million.

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to talk news from the local market, including a Barrington mansion unsold and unoccupied for 18 years. Plus: Local firm pays $44 million for Deerfield shopping center, United pulls $248 million junk muni deals for Houston airport, Northwestern names new Kellogg center after largest-ever donation to biz school and allegations of secret diamond deals push Gold Coast jeweler's parent into bankruptcy.

The city Finance Committee voted down Mayor Johnson's revenue plan, dealing a significant blow to his 2026 budget. Crain’s politics reporter Justin Laurence discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Hines eyes Boeing's West Loop tower after scuttled Sterling Bay deal, Big Ten's $2.4 billion deal talks extended after pushback, FTC drops fight for injunction blocking GTCR's Surmodics deal and a study finds NIH grant cuts leave hundreds of clinical trials, 74,000 patients in limbo.

Chicago homeowners have been hit with the steepest property tax bill hike in at least 30 years. Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Danny Ecker talks with host Amy Guth about contributing factors. Plus: Chicago trading floor gets second act powering AI-led future, downtown Chicago apartment rents jump again amid supply crunch, crypto firm's Burling Bank bid ready for state ruling and U of I bids out the next two buildings at quantum park.

Tucked inside the massive bill to end the government shutdown, a ban on hemp-derived THC products. Crain’s cannabis reporter John Schroyer discusses the fallout from the ban with host Amy Guth. Plus: Johnson unveils amended budget to a skeptical City Council, AbbVie reportedly exits $1.5 billion longevity drug deal with Calico, big Chicago systems win out as three hospitals slide to F grades in Leapfrog report and Michelin just stripped Alinea of its three-star status.

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin and host Amy Guth discuss the latest news from the local housing market, including luxury home sales breaking an annual record with weeks still to go in 2025. Plus: Walgreens lists massive Old Post Office space for sublease, BDO claims it was impossible to detect alleged fraud at First Brands, owner of former Rainforest Cafe building facing foreclosure suit and Chicago lands another quantum computer maker.

Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Rachel Herzog joins host Amy Guth to discuss the latest deals around Chicago's rental market and supply's impact on rents. Plus: Walgreens cuts pay for store workers after $10 billion buyout, Zurich moving downtown office to Willis Tower, Volkswagen defies dealership protests with plan to begin Illinois warranty fees and FAA curbs private jet use at O'Hare amid air capacity crunch.

Advocates say anxiety around ICE raids is taking toll on Chicago's mental health resources. Crain’s health care reporter Jon Asplund discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Private-label giant TreeHouse Foods acquired in $2.9 billion deal, Illinois awaits word on $1 billion in Big Beautiful Bill cash for rural hospitals, Sterling Bay's Lincoln Park life sciences building selling for medical office conversion and PNC opening 25 new Chicago locations as part of $2 billion branch expansion.

Chicago fast-casual chain Protein Bar is cashing in in on America's protein obsession. Crain's restaurants reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about the chain’s growth strategy and diner demands. Plus: Allstate profit more than triples in the third quarter, World Business Chicago reboots economic development strategy, Johnson defends budget plan despite warning of credit downgrade and electrical equipment maker lays off 185 in shift from Illinois to Indiana.

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin and host Amy Guth discuss the latest from the local housing market, including Cook County tax bill delays causing homebuyer headaches. Plus: The suite of health care bills passed by Illinois lawmakers, AAR inks big office lease at Merchandise Mart, GoHealth plans to cut nearly 500 more jobs and former Mayor Daley creates merchant bank with son and longtime associate.

Cboe is restructuring to capitalize on surging U.S. options trading and has tapped an industry veteran to lead its new retail trading segment. Crain’s finance reporter Mark Weinraub discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: City Council calls special meeting to grill Ernst & Young over budget audit, quantum park developers seek IEPA sign-off to begin work, Chicago Fed's Goolsbee more worried by inflation than job market and Manny's Deli steps in to support SNAP recipients amid federal shutdown.

Neighborhood development throughout the city continues to be lopsided. Crain's assistant managing editor Cassandra West joins host Amy Guth to talk about the most recent Forum’s focus on equitable development. Plus: Chicago school board approves controversial $175 million pension payment to the city, AbbVie raises outlook on strong sales of mainstay drugs, New York firm picks up Niles shopping center for $40 million and Cameo sues OpenAI over trademarked name.

A bailout package for Chicago transit passed in Springfield as the Bears' stadium funding efforts were again shut out. Crain’s politics reporter Justin Laurence discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: 1871 is on the move to Edelman's downtown HQ, Senate OKs energy bill that includes billions for battery storage and nixes nuke ban, Heartland Bank expands in Illinois and Missouri with $170 million CNB buy, and Baxter lowers guidance.

Crain's residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to talk news from the local housing market, including Chicago's narrowing lead over U.S. home price growth. Plus: Fed cuts rates quarter point, sets end to balance-sheet runoff, GE HealthCare takes $100 million hit from tariffs, Kraft Heinz lowers sales outlook as CEO warns of worst consumer sentiment in decades and Mondelez also trims outlook, and a developer gets $94 million construction loan for the first phase of its Motorola campus remake.

Illinois residents will face steep hikes in ACA health insurance premiums next year. Crain’s contributor Jon Asplund discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: New York real estate firms raising big bet on Loop offices, American Airlines isn't pulling back in Chicago, Chicago Fire FC moving HQ to Wrigley Building and Trader Joe's coming to Fulton Market.

Aldi is leaning into its own brand as private label sales surge. Crain's retail reporter Ally Marotti discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Moody's gives Illinois another credit upgrade — its 10th under Pritzker; Bally's could open a sports bar at Midway, but without slot machines; Baker Tilly Germany weighs selling stake to private equity; and a newly built Fulton Market apartments up for sale.

The Big Ten's $2 billion proposed private equity deal was dealt a major blow in Michigan. Crain’s education reporter Brandon Dupré discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: A Google power deal could clear the way for a $1 billion carbon capture plant in Illinois, Rivian will pay $250 million to settle IPO class-action lawsuit, Aldi leans into its own brand as private labels boom and why eating a burger in Houston is less climate-friendly than in Chicago.

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about news from the local housing market, including how Illinois counties are split on handling delinquent tax sales after a Supreme Court rebuke. Plus: Pritzker pushes back on head tax and Bears breaks — and urges transit action, Aqua tower apartments hit the market, Industrious opening second LaSalle Street co-working space, O'Hare sets record for summer travel and a Michael Jordan rookie card reportedly fetches $2.7 million in record sale.

Mayor Brandon Johnson's $16.6 billion budget revives the head tax and tests the limits of his support in the City Council. Crain’s reporter Justin Laurence discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Cboe looks to extend options hours in overnight trading push, nearly 2 million Illinoisans set to lose SNAP benefits amid congressional stalemate, BDO faces a reputational test after the First Brands bankruptcy, Medline net sales in first half reach $13.5 billion ahead of IPO and Spirit Halloween to open Christmas-themed stores in Illinois this season.