Wintrust Business Lunch

Don Butler, Vice President of Kapital Electric, tells John about the growing electric vehicle and electric vehicle charger market, the increased interest in renewable energy, how solar power and electric vehicles go hand and hand, the government subsidies on solar energy, and some of the benefits of home EV charging stations.

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute.

Electric vehicle maker Rivian, with a plant in downstate Normal, saw production and delivery drop in the first quarter. The company delivered 7,946 vehicles compared to 8,054 in fourth-quarter 2022. Rivian reports quarterly earnings Tuesday and is expected to show a net loss. The company’s expected to ramp up production moving forward while cutting costs. The net loss is blamed on factory downtime while upgrading its commercial van assembly line.

Also, Deerfield-based Baxter International is selling its biopharma solutions business to two private equity firms.

Segment 1: Mark Hamrick, Washington Bureau Chief and Senior Economic Analyst for Bankrate.com, joins John to break down today’s labor report. What do the numbers mean for the economy, markets and the likelihood we see a recession?

Segment 2: Kiana DiStasi, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Chicago Loop Alliance, tells John about their Sundays on State program and how they are currently seeking community involvement through a free application process that runs through May 19th.

Segment 3: Jaron Lukas, CEO, yumwoof, talks to John about their non-GMO dog food brand that helps dogs lead a healthier life and live longer. Jaron explains how their food stands out among the competition. Check out Jaron’s book, ‘The Canine Cocomega Effect’ here.

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute.

There’s more union activity at a big retailer with a Chicago presence. REI workers have voted to unionize. Crain’s reports employees voted 41-8 in favor of the union. The group includes 60 workers in clothing sales, inventory and repair. They’ll be represented by the Retail, Wholesale & Department Store Union. They want better pay, benefits, and job security. The REI store in Chicago is the fourth location to unionize following stores in New York City, Berkeley and Cleveland. The company is based in Seattle.

Also, a union representing grocery store workers has come out against the merger between Albertson’s and Kroger. Listen for more below:

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media and Best Money Moves, joins John to talk about renter insecurity, Elon Musk rebranding Twitter to ‘X,’ and a new Longevity Annuity you can buy.

Segment 2: Jim Dallke, National Editor, American Inno, talks to John about layoffs hitting Chicago startup Cameo, a new $40M venture capital fund in town, led by 2 women, investing in food startups, and Chicago falling in a new tech cities ranking by CBRE.

Segment 3: Emily Kenward, Hands of Peace Chicago site director and program alum, tells John about their three week summer program, the mission of the program, who is participating in the program right now, and how they provide space for American, Israeli and Palestinian teens to create a dialogue and empower them to become agents of change in their communities and around the world.