Crain’s finance reporter Mark Weinraub joins host Amy Guth to review cryptocurrency moves in 2025 and likely themes in the year ahead, including bank and institutional adoption of digital currencies and growth among retail trading customers. Plus: Trump's Venezuela move sparks sharp divide among area pols, online sports betting lives on in Chicago as tax lawsuit moves ahead, Lakeview apartment tower trades for $57 million and McCormick & Schmick's closes in the Loop.

Crain’s reporter John Pletz talks with host Amy Guth to review the major aviation industry stories of 2025 and those that are likely to be big themes in the year ahead, including the O’Hare renovation project and tech improvements. Plus: Mayor Johnson blinks on budget veto and pivots to executive orders, investors tee up $455 million deal for Chicago-area apartment portfolio, Beat Kitchen sues Chicago over Riverwalk contract and Chicago hotels want to tax themselves to supercharge city tourism.

Crain’s health care reporter Jon Asplund talks with host Amy Guth to review major health care stories of 2025 and those that could be big themes in the year ahead, including changes to Walgreens and Medline, access to research funding and care, and the evolving role of AI in health care and the role of the state. Plus: The City Council 2026 budget passed over Mayor Johnson's objections; feds say CTA security plan isn't good enough; apartment investor pays $135 million for West Loop tower; and Pritzker Traubert Foundation names new winner of $10 million Chicago Prize.

Crain's politics reporter Justin Laurence joins host Amy Guth to break down elements of the 2026 Chicago budget disputed in City Hall. Plus: Friends of the Parks wants a $50 million cut of the South Works quantum revamp, Baker Tilly enters South Florida market with deal for Berkowitz Pollack Brant, MetraMarket retail space up for sale and Lake Forest MBA program to shutter in June due to declining enrollment.

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin and host Amy Guth discuss the latest local market news, including the owner of Michael Jordan's former home pitching a new plan for the estate. Plus: JPMorgan Chase to open Mag Mile flagship catering to affluent clients, Illinois among states suing Trump over $100,000 H-1B visa fee, Winston & Strawn creates new transatlantic law firm with Taylor Wessing merger and report warns northern Illinois just a few years away from electricity shortage.

Illinois' marketplace has extended its health insurance enrollment deadline for plans starting Jan. 1. Crain’s contributor Jon Asplund discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Chicago dealmaking primed for 2026 uptick as tariff woes ease, Kraft Heinz replaces CEO ahead of split into two public companies, law firm beefs up Wacker Drive office space, DePaul University cuts more than 100 jobs and Portillo's plans to open in the Loop.

Crain's commercial real estate reporters Rachel Herzog and Danny Ecker talk with host Amy Guth about the themes that have defined 2025 — including economic uncertainty, office distress, stadium developments and the challenges facing the apartment market — as well as looking ahead to 2026. Plus: CME adds new crypto futures contracts in push for more retail traders, McKinsey plans thousands of job cuts in consulting industry slowdown, Byline Bank plans stock repurchase as shares hit 12-month high and a food pantry network gets $5 million from a new kind of Endeavor award.

Crain's reporter Ally Marotti joins host Amy Guth to reflect on trends and themes in the food and beverage industry throughout 2025, including rising costs and shifts in consumer behavior, and what's in store for the year ahead. Plus: New study says Cook County property tax incentives need a refresh, Pritzker signs controversial "medical aid in dying" bill into law, Enova inks $369 million deal to transform from online lender to bank holding company and philanthropists give $11 million for Lurie Children's rare genetic disease program.

Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Rachel Herzog joins host Amy Guth to discuss recent retail news, including Rivian’s planned dealership in Northbrook, Culver’s coming to the South Loop and Stratford Square Mall’s revamp. Plus: Judge rules Cook County's tax sale system unconstitutional, holiday spending slowdown squeezes smaller Chicago shops, American Airlines is picking up more O'Hare gates from Spirit and details emerge about the Gibson’s spot opening in Fulton Market.

At a recent Crain’s event, hospital CEOs warned of fraying health care safety nets in the year ahead. Crain’s health care reporter Jon Asplund talks with host Amy Guth about where local health care leaders say they are planning their focus in the year ahead. Plus: Feds warn CTA to boost policing or lose transit funding, Mars wins unconditional EU nod for $36B Kellanova deal, United Airlines CEO Kirby nets nearly $13M in first big stock sale and GE HealthCare touts slate of new tech plus collaboration with Mayo Clinic.

Another State Street retail property sells at a big discount. Crain’s reporter Rachel Herzog discusses the Loop retail corridor with host Amy Guth. Plus: Blue Cross parent CEO got a hefty raise in 2024 despite 54% income drop; CME data center outage caused by human error, Cyrus One says; Morningstar to revamp analysis of mutual funds; and Smith family of Northern Trust and ITW gives record-breaking donation to Rush cancer center.

A local developer is reviving and expanding an office-to-warehouses plan in Glenview that fell apart amid opposition from residents. Crain’s commercial real estate reporter Danny Ecker discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Mayor Johnson pours cold water on council bloc's alternative budget plan, New York investor buys Orland Park shopping center, Ulta Beauty raises outlook as demand for cosmetics remains robust and Foxtrot is reopening its old Loop location.

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin joins host Amy Guth to talk news from the local housing market, including the region's shrinking home affordability at every tier. Plus: Breakaway aldermen offer counter-budget that kills head tax, developer seeks $47 million tax break for Loop office-to-residential project, Streeterville high-rise sale marks priciest local apartment deal since 2023 and Medline to weigh marketing $5 billion IPO.

CME Group's recent Aurora data center outage exposed a flaw in the exchange operator’s disaster recovery plan. Crain’s finance reporter Mark Weinraub discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: City asks airlines to rethink terminal construction plans as O'Hare traffic rises, Goldman Sachs to pay $2 billion for ETF issuer Innovator Capital, NU's ex-football coach Pat Fitzgerald hired by Michigan State and a new report says Trump cuts could shrink Illinois economy by $10 billion.

The Siebel Institute, the country’s oldest brewing school, is leaving Chicago for Montreal. Crain's restaurants reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about why that matters for Chicago and the local craft beer industry. Plus: CME outage puts PE-owned Aurora data center under scrutiny, Northwestern joins Columbia in reaching deal with Trump team, Deere's disappointing outlook shows farm recovery is elusive and state cannabis taxes slipping as prices continue to fall.

Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about the dual markets in the Chicago area, with one soaring as the other stays flat. Plus: CTU to turn over financial audits to congressional committee, Medicare negotiates discounts on two AbbVie drugs, Thoma Bravo's Realpage settles DOJ rental collusion case and Abbott to replace glucose monitors after deaths possibly linked to false readings.

Wining and dining has taken on new meaning as Chicago execs are now helicoptering clients to Michigan wine country. Crain's restaurants reporter Ally Marotti discusses with host Amy Guth. Plus: Argonne joins the AI arms race with allies Nvidia and Oracle, Amazon plans $15 billion data center buildout in northwest Indiana, USG shrinks downtown office footprint with lease renewal and Cameo wins restraining order against OpenAI in trademark lawsuit.

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.