Marianne joins Bob for a weekly segment Fridays following the 8:30 am newscast. For more savvy tips, go to Savvy-Planet.Com. Share your own savvy tip: hello@savvy-planet.com. Follow Marianne on Twitter (@marimur), Instagram (@havanagirl), and on Facebook (SirottAndMurciano).

• April’s Consumer Sentiment numbers
• Earnings from Procter & Gamble, Western Union, and more

Chicago’s Indie Bookstore Crawl Returns Saturday At 80+ Shops Across The Area: The event coincides with the nationwide Independent Bookstore Day. Customers who visit enough stores can earn yearlong discounts.

Old Irving Brewing Co. Now Making Billy Goat Tavern’s Signature IPA And Pilsner: The Northwest Side brewery is taking over production of the iconic burger joint’s beers from Darien, Illinois-based Miskatonic, which shut down early this year.

Medical Exec Back In Chicago To Face Loretto Fraud Charges After Living As Fugitive In Dubai: Sameer Suhail and his business partner and friend Anosh Ahmed have been accused of embezzling millions from Loretto Hospital — and using “corrupt” means to steer millions more in contracts to Suhail. The scandal rocked the hospital.

Garfield Park Conservatory Children’s Garden Reopens May 1 With 20-Foot Climber And More: Reservations for the new children’s area go live Friday. The 6,000-square-foot space features larger climbing structures, an elevated canopy and a toddler zone.

Sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union – Committed to financially empowering local communities. For more info go to GLCU.org.

• Initial Jobless Claims
• S&P Flash U.S. Services PMI
• Manufacturing PMI
• Earnings from American Express, Honeywell, Comcast, and more

Sponsored by UI Health.

CTA Set To ‘Refresh And Renew’ 28 ‘L’ Stations, Including 51st Street Green Line Stop: The CTA will spend $6.5 million on maintenance and aesthetic upgrades at 28 “L” stops and 14 bus turnarounds this year.

Pretty Cool Ice Cream To Triple Production In New Facility As Popular Company Goes National: The frozen treats company launched in Logan Square about 8 years ago and has struggled to keep up with demand. The Irving Park facility will allow it to ship nationally and partner with more restaurants.

Park District Debuts Overhauled Summer Camp Registration, But Some Camps Remain Elusive: The new system is meant to be more efficient after years of frustration for parents. Still, some were immediately waitlisted. “I’ve had better luck with Ticketmaster this year,” one parent said.

At ‘Thrift Lab,’ Museum Of Science And Industry Explores Sustainable Fashion — And Invites You To Shop: The April 30 event will feature speakers on sustainability and clothing, stitch-themed cocktails, a hub to learn sewing and embellishment skills and a vintage market with “tchotchkes galore.”

Sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union – Committed to financially empowering local communities. For more info go to GLCU.org.

• Earnings from Tesla, Philip Morris, Texas Instruments, and more

Meze Table Finds Home In Bridgeport After Years Of Selling At Pop-Ups And Markets: Known for their colorful Greek-inspired food boards, Elizabeth Gartelos Morris and Beth Salentiny have stocked Meze Table Market with grab-and-go foods, local produce and home goods.

From Firehouse Kitchen To YouTube, Morgan Park Firefighter Shares His Culinary Hot Takes: Jon Czerwien launched his YouTube channel in January to show home cooks and fellow firefighters how to make hearty food using everyday ingredients.

How 2 Siblings Are Bringing Chicago’s Koreatown Back To Life: Inspired by their father’s old Koreatown website, Dean and Tarah Lim are reconnecting Chicago’s Korean community through social media. They’re hosting an in-person social Saturday with food and music.

Sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union – Committed to financially empowering local communities. For more info go to GLCU.org.

• March’s U.S. Retail Sales
• Business Inventories
• March’s Pending Home Sales
• Earnings from General Electric, United Airlines, and more

Drivers Keep Crashing Cars Into This Avondale Building — Will The City Do Something About It?: The issues stem from drivers speeding in the Western Avenue bus lane to bypass traffic, neighbors say. Crashes near Western and George are so common, neighbors stopped parking or crossing the street in the area to avoid being hit.

Southwest Side’s Aloha Motel To Become Homeless Shelter With 55 Private Rooms, On-Site Programs: The Cicero Avenue motel is being redeveloped into a transitional housing shelter with 55 private rooms that will provide dignity and social services to their inhabitants, officials with BEDS Plus said.

At ‘Battle Of The Badges,’ Police, Firefighter Boxers Trade Friendly Jabs: ‘We’re Still Brothers’: The annual boxing tournament between the city’s police and fire departments raises money for first responder charities.

18 Ways To Celebrate Earth Day In Chicago: Earth Day is officially Wednesday, but some festivities begin this weekend and run through next week in Chicago.

Sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union – Committed to financially empowering local communities. For more info go to GLCU.org.

• Highlights of this week’s market reports
• Earnings from Wintrust Financial, Alaska Airlines, and more

This conversation was recorded before the Strait of Hormuz was reopened.

Marianne joins Bob for a weekly segment Fridays following the 8:30 am newscast. For more savvy tips, go to Savvy-Planet.Com. Share your own savvy tip: hello@savvy-planet.com. Follow Marianne on Twitter (@marimur), Instagram (@havanagirl), and on Facebook (SirottAndMurciano).

The Video Strip Outlived Blockbuster And Is Still Renting Out 25,000 Movies On The South Side: As the film and streaming industries have shifted, so has Joe Trutin’s McKinley Park store. It stocks 25,000 titles alongside popcorn and pop culture collectibles and serves as a UPS dropoff site.

Restoration Of Sears Sunken Garden To Begin Friday After Years Of Planning: The garden, once part of Sears, Roebuck and Co.’s sprawling West Side campus, will be closed for the duration of the work. The first step will be repairing the historical pergola.

Swan Boat Rentals Are Returning To The Humboldt Park Lagoon: The pedal boat rentals were not offered last summer after the concessionaires decided not to open due to slow business, but the boats will return for the season this month.

Sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union – Committed to financially empowering local communities. For more info go to GLCU.org.

• Fed speeches
• Earnings from Fifth Third Bank, MetroCity Bankshares, and more

Da Local Boy, The Loop’s Hawaiian Food Hotspot, Named One Of NYT’s Best Restaurants: Nate Domingo and his wife Dianne didn’t intend to open a restaurant, but now they have two — one in suburban Highwood, one Downtown — and both are drawing raves.

‘Indiana Jones Of Paleontology’ To Open Science Center For Teens In Washington Park: University of Chicago professor Paul Sereno hopes his space, Scitopia Chicago, inspires the next generation of scientists.

To learn more about the Lathrop homes redevelopment, click on the headline: Major Funding Package For Long-Delayed Lathrop Homes Redevelopment Clears Council

Sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union – Committed to financially empowering local communities. For more info go to GLCU.org.

• Initial Jobless Claims
• Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey
• Industrial Production & Capacity Utilization
• Earnings from Netflix, PepsiCo, and more

Sponsored by UI Health.

Igor’s Bike Shack Offers Repairs, Rentals And Community On The Lakefront Trail: A once-worn shed near the Waveland tennis courts has been rebuilt by Igor Does My Bike into a repair shop, rental stop and gathering place.

Navy Pier To Host ‘Largest And Longest’ July 4th Fireworks Show: The Fourth of July display will be 15 minutes long and feature twice as many fireworks as its usual shows for the country’s 250th birthday.

Candy Hall Of Fame Coming To Magnificent Mile: Opening in summer 2027, the 60,000-square-foot attraction will bring exhibits, a candy store and a restaurant to three floors of a long-vacant Michigan Avenue space.

Food Delivery Robot Says Sorry For Smashing Bus Shelter In New Ad: Serve Robotics is apologizing to West Town neighbors after one of its robots smashed through the glass at a bus shelter in March. A company spokesperson said its devices are now treating bus shelters “with additional caution.”

Sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union – Committed to financially empowering local communities. For more info go to GLCU.org.

• April’s Empire State Manufacturing Survey
• Fed Beige Book
• Import Price Index
• Home Builder Confidence Index
• Earnings from Bank of America, PNC Financial Services, and more

For 100 Years, Filbert’s Has Made Root Beer The ‘Old Time’ Way: ‘Do It Well And Right’: The family-owned soda business took off during Prohibition in McKinley Park and has survived the advent of mass-market drinks in plastic bottles.

Paper & Pencil, Andersonville’s Hugely Popular Stationery Shop, Moving To Larger Storefront: The new Clark Street location is quadruple the size of the shop’s current home, which owners Tyler McCall and Eric Campbell plan to turn into a workshop space.

Fathom, A Queer Cocktail Bar From The Team Behind Dorothy, Opens In Lakeview: Whitney LaMora and Zoe Schor said their focus is on creating a more casual, accessible neighborhood bar that will host events and community pop-ups.

Sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union – Committed to financially empowering local communities. For more info go to GLCU.org.

• March’s Producer Price Index
• Small Business Optimism Index
• Fed speeches
• Earnings from JPMorgan Chase, Johnson & Johnson, CarMax, and more

South Side Birth Center Breaks Ground, Bringing Equitable Maternal Health Care To Area: The center is expected to assist in about 225 births annually while offering reproductive, preventive and gender-affirming care. It has a planned opening in early 2027.

Logan Square Farmers Market Moving To ‘Forever Home’ At Redesigned Traffic Circle Plaza: Chamber officials are hosting a dry run of the hugely popular market Sunday to work out kinks in the new space before it returns in full force.

Silver Room Block Party Set To Return July 18 At The Salt Shed: The festival will move from the South Side, where it was held from 2015 through its last iteration in 2023. General admission tickets are $95 and go on sale April 17.

Sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union – Committed to financially empowering local communities. For more info go to GLCU.org.

Interview with Dave Plier:

• Highlights of this week’s market reports
• March’s Existing Home Sales
• Earnings from Goldman Sachs, Cosmos Health, and more

Marianne joins Bob for a weekly segment Fridays following the 8:30 am newscast. For more savvy tips, go to Savvy-Planet.Com. Share your own savvy tip: hello@savvy-planet.com. Follow Marianne on Twitter (@marimur), Instagram (@havanagirl), and on Facebook (SirottAndMurciano).

‘Puffy Coat Bandits’ Part Of Crime Ring That’s Targeted Downtown Diners For Years, Police Say: After gaining infamy in 2023 for a spree of thefts at North Side restaurants, the pickpockets were caught again at a Downtown Cheesecake Factory. Police believe their crime ring includes at least 10 members.

Chicago’s 1st Pita Inn Coming To Six Corners This Winter: The family-owned Middle Eastern restaurant beloved in the suburbs is part of the redevelopment of the former Sears Auto Center on Cicero Avenue.

Will Changes To ‘Insane’ Summer Camp Registration Process Make It Easier To Sign Up Your Kids?: The first phase of a new Park District initiative includes a map feature and “high demand” icons. Two webinars are scheduled for Tuesday to help parents prepare for registration on April 19 and 20.

Sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union – Committed to financially empowering local communities. For more info go to GLCU.org.

• Consumer Price Index
• February’s Factory Orders
• April’s Consumer Sentiment numbers
• Earnings from Lotus Technology and The Children’s Place

Chicago Turns All Public School IDs Into Library Cards To Boost Student Access: Chicago Public Library and CPS announced the expansion of The 81 Club, building on a pilot launched in 2022 to give students access to the library system’s vast collection and databases.

Folk In Andersonville Debuts Cafe Inside Its Vintage Store — With Yemeni Coffee And More: Folk Coffee & Vintage sets itself apart from the half-dozen other coffee shops on Clark Street by brewing Yemeni, Kurdish and other international coffee styles.

25 Things To Do In Chicago This Weekend: Expo Chicago, Clothing Swap And Community Cleanups: YarnCon, the Giordano Dance Company, the Wicker Park Green Fest, a Lao New Year celebration and a Joni Mitchell tribute are also on deck.

Sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union – Committed to financially empowering local communities. For more info go to GLCU.org.

They also discuss the upcoming Associated Bank-hosted webinar on April 28th, which will give an overview of credit card surcharging, current trends in the market, and what businesses can expect when transitioning.

• February’s PCE Index
• GDP Report
• Initial Jobless Claims
• Earnings from WD-40, Simply Good Foods Company, and more

Sponsored by UI Health.

The Hand & The Eye, A 5-Level Magic Theater, To Open This Month Off Mag Mile: The venue, opening April 18 in the renovated McCormick Mansion, has 37 showrooms, hidden rooms and dining options. Tickets start at $225.

Francis Parker School Expansion Plan Draws Backlash From Lincoln Park Neighbors: Neighbors critical of the elite private school’s latest proposal to replace a nearby building with a new academic structure say it would displace families and prioritize the school’s growth over existing residents.

Meet Chicago Poster Artist Steve Shanabruch At This Block Club Event: The celebrated artist will discuss his process for creating neighborhood posters and vintage fonts at an April 18 program at the Harold Washington Library.

Sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union – Committed to financially empowering local communities. For more info go to GLCU.org.

• Fed’s FOMC Minutes
• Fed speeches
• Earnings from Delta Air Lines, Constellation Brands, and more

Charges Should Be Dropped Against Mom Who Killed Boyfriend In Self-Defense, Advocates Say: Keshia Golden’s attorneys say she acted in self-defense when she fatally stabbed her boyfriend with a long history of abuse in 2022. Prosecutors offered a plea deal — but her attorneys want the case dropped altogether.

Urbanbelly Heads Back To Fulton Market With Patio, Bar And Budget-Friendly Lunch: Chef Bill Kim’s Asian fusion restaurant will open in May on Fulton Street, offering old favorites like spicy katsu ramen and yuzu margaritas.

Italian Beef Vs. The Horseshoe: A State Sandwich Showdown Is Heating Up: The horseshoe, a Springfield creation, is often referred to as the unofficial state sandwich. A bill backed by Italian beef devotee Rep. Rick Ryan aims to change that.

Sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union – Committed to financially empowering local communities. For more info go to GLCU.org.

• February’s Durable Goods Orders
• Fed speeches
• Consumer Credit Report
• Earnings from Levi Strauss, Unity Bancorp, and more

Viewers can download the free WGN+ TV app on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and select Samsung Smart TVs.

Obama Center Announces Grand Opening Sweepstakes, Summer Youth Sports: Entries to win two tickets to the launch party with “global leaders and world-renowned artists” are accepted through noon Sunday. Officials also announced paid basketball and volleyball programs for South Side teens alongside After School Matters.

Miko’s Italian Ice Reopens For The Season, A True Sign Of Spring In Chicago: “We’re back! No Fool’n,” the shop announced on social media April 1. Both Miko’s locations in Logan Square and Irving Park are open daily until October.

PHOTOS: Jackson Park’s Famous Cherry Blossom Trees Begin To Bloom: Cherry blossom trees in Jackson Park’s Columbia Basin began to show their pink and white flowers over the weekend, drawing onlookers from across the city.

Competitive Pool Leagues Racking Up New Members In Chicago: With 140 participating bars, the American Poolplayers Association is creating a thriving pool community throughout the city.

Sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union – Committed to financially empowering local communities. For more info go to GLCU.org.

• Highlight’s of this week’s market reports
• March’s ISM Services Report
• Earnings from Pioneer Power Services

Marianne joins Bob for a weekly segment Fridays following the 8:30 am newscast. For more savvy tips, go to Savvy-Planet.Com. Share your own savvy tip: hello@savvy-planet.com. Follow Marianne on Twitter (@marimur), Instagram (@havanagirl), and on Facebook (SirottAndMurciano).

• Monthly Jobs Report
• March’s S&P Final U.S. Services PMI

City Program For New Coach Houses, Basement Units Is Live. Check If Your Property Is Eligible: The City Council voted last year to expand and make permanent a pilot program allowing the construction of additional dwelling units, or ADUs, citywide. Not all residential areas are included, and additional restrictions may apply.

Logan Square Renters Fighting To Buy Their Building In New Test Of Tenant Rights Law: The tenants want to work with their landlord to find a potential buyer who will maintain low rents at the building, now listed at $1.35 million.

A Park District Field House Is Home To A Rare Art Collection — Could Poor Climate Control Destroy It?: The John H. Vanderpoel Art Museum in Ridge Park in Beverly desperately needs a new HVAC system to protect its century-old fine art collection, the collection’s owners say. But the Park District says the system works fine and is in no need of repair.

Sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union – Committed to financially empowering local communities. For more info go to GLCU.org.

• Initial Jobless Claims
• February’s U.S. Trade Deficit
• Fed speeches
• Earnings from ExxonMobil, American Resources Corporation, and more

Sponsored by UI Health.