Elliot Richardson, President and Co-Founder of the Small Business Advocacy Council, joins Andrea Darlas to respond to last week's budget address and what policies in Illinois can help grow small businesses and local economies.

Elliot Richardson, President and Co-Founder of the Small Business Advocacy Council, joins Andrea Darlas to respond to last week's budget address and what policies in Illinois can help grow small businesses and local economies.

When our regular hosts are away, the fill-in hosts will play. Enjoy the content of the pinch hitters from Garry Meier to Ray Stevens to Rob Johnson and more.

When our regular hosts are away, the fill-in hosts will play. Enjoy the content of the pinch hitters from Garry Meier to Ray Stevens to Rob Johnson and more.

PINCH HITTERS

How Illinois Can Help Small Business Flourish

✈️ IF YOU'RE FEELING THE ITCH TO GET AWAY: Check out the Travel and Adventure Show this weekend in Rosemont. You don't have to go far to plan the perfect adventure with travel expert panels and plan your perfect trip on a budget! For tix and more info: @traveladventureshow
🩰 IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A DATE NIGHT: Check out the Joffrey Ballet's American Icons at the Lyric Opera House in Chicago!  American Icons is a program featuring dynamic works by four trailblazing 20th-century artists. For tix and more info: @joffreyballet
🏀 IF YOU WANT TO CHEER ON THE ILLINI: Check out the Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern this Saturday night as the ILLINI men's BB team face off against the UCLA Bruins. Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern has Game Day Specials including $10 nachos, $10 Burger Sliders and $5 Twisted Teas. For more info: @brickhousetavernchi 

✈️ IF YOU'RE FEELING THE ITCH TO GET AWAY: Check out the Travel and Adventure Show this weekend in Rosemont. You don't have to go far to plan the perfect adventure with travel expert panels and plan your perfect trip on a budget! For tix and more info:&nbsp;<a>@traveladventureshow</a> 🩰&nbsp;IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A DATE NIGHT: Check out the Joffrey Ballet's American Icons at the Lyric Opera House in Chicago!&nbsp; American Icons is a program featuring dynamic works by four trailblazing 20th-century artists. For tix and more info:&nbsp;<a>@joffreyballet</a> 🏀&nbsp;IF YOU WANT TO CHEER ON THE ILLINI: Check out the Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern this Saturday night as the ILLINI men's BB team face off against the UCLA Bruins.&nbsp;Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern has Game Day Specials including $10 nachos,&nbsp;$10 Burger Sliders and&nbsp;$5 Twisted Teas. For more info:&nbsp;<a>@brickhousetavernchi&nbsp;</a>

Social with Steph - 02/19/2026 - Chicago temps are cooling down again, but there are plenty of indoor options for fun this weekend. 

IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO SCARE OFF YOUR VALENTINE: Check out the 13th Floor Haunted House LOVE BITES, a Valentine's-themed Haunted House in Schiller Park. It's ONLY open this Valentine's weekend. For tix and more info: @13thfloorchicago


IF YOU WANT SOMETHING SWEET AND SOUR: Check out Roaring Table Brewery in Lake Zurich! They've teamed up with Après Pastry & Bakery for a  limited-time sweet-meets-sour pairing. It's a fruit top beer finished with raspberry purée and vanilla, topped with whipped cream AND a Sticky Chocolate Croissant - a handcrafted pastry from Après Pastry & Bakery.  It's only $14 and ONLY available on Valentine's Day! For more details: @roaringtable


IF YOU WANT TO STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS: Check out the Orchid Show happening now at Chicago Botanic Garden! Rewind to the ‘60s and ‘70s at the Orchid Show: Feelin’ Groovy where 10,000 vibrant orchids are the hottest thing since bell bottoms. Floor-to-ceiling sunbeams made of cascading orchids light up the room in living color! For tix and more info: @chicagobotanic 


IF YOU WANT TO EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS: Check out the 57th Annual RV & Camping Show at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont this weekend! For the latest RV models, special show pricing, and camping activations, check out the show this weekend ONLY- for tix and more info: @villageofrosemont

IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO SCARE OFF YOUR VALENTINE: Check out the 13th Floor Haunted House LOVE BITES, a Valentine's-themed Haunted House in Schiller Park. It's ONLY open this Valentine's weekend. For tix and more info: @13thfloorchicago
 IF YOU WANT SOMETHING SWEET AND SOUR: Check out Roaring Table Brewery in Lake Zurich! They've teamed up with&nbsp;Apr&egrave;s Pastry &amp; Bakery for a&nbsp;&nbsp;limited-time sweet-meets-sour pairing.&nbsp;It's a fruit top beer finished with raspberry pur&eacute;e and vanilla, topped with whipped cream AND a&nbsp;Sticky Chocolate Croissant - a handcrafted pastry from Apr&egrave;s Pastry &amp; Bakery.&nbsp; It's only $14 and ONLY available on Valentine's Day! For more details:&nbsp;<a>@roaringtable</a>
 IF YOU WANT TO STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS: Check out the Orchid Show happening now at Chicago Botanic Garden!&nbsp;Rewind to the &lsquo;60s and &lsquo;70s at the Orchid Show: Feelin&rsquo; Groovy where 10,000 vibrant orchids are the hottest thing since bell bottoms. Floor-to-ceiling sunbeams made of cascading orchids light up the room in living color! For tix and more info:&nbsp;<a>@chicagobotanic&nbsp;</a>
 IF YOU WANT TO EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS: Check out the 57th Annual RV &amp; Camping Show at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont this weekend! For the latest RV models, special show pricing, and camping activations, check out the show this weekend ONLY- for tix and more info:&nbsp;<a>@villageofrosemont</a>

Social with Steph - 02/12/2026 - It's Valentine's Weekend, Chicago - here are some sweet ways to celebrate!

IF YOU'RE FEELING UN-ROMANTIC- CHECK OUT DRUNK SHAKESPEARE'S ROMEO AND JULIET- THE GREATEST (DRUNK) LOVE STORY EVER TOLD at The Lion Theatre in Chicago at 182 N Wabash Ave. One professional actor has 5 shots of whiskey and then attempts to perform a major role in Shakespeare’s greatest love story: Romeo & Juliet. Hilarity and mayhem ensue while the remaining sober actors try to keep the script on track. Every show is different depending on who is drinking…and what they’re drinking!  Craft cocktails are available for purchase and delivered to your seat throughout the show. For tix and more info: @drunkmayhem

IF YOU'RE CELEBRATING GALENTINE'S DAY: Check out the Galentine's Brunch at Leed's Public House this weekend in Michigan City, Indiana! This year’s featured vendors are NJ Jewels (permanent jewelry), Status Glow Hand Made Candles, and DryRain Boutique. They’ll have their pop-up shops set up so that you can shop to support these women-owned, local businesses!
Reservations for groups of 6 or more are recommended; smaller groups will be sat on a first-come, first-served basis- but you are welcome to grab a drink and shop if there is a wait! For tix and more info: @leedspublichouse

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOME NEW WHEELS: Check out the Chicago Auto Show this weekend and next at McCormick Place. The Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent. This year marks the 118th edition of the Chicago Auto Show. passenger cars, trucks, sport-utility vehicles, minivans, and experimental and concept cars.  In total, the 2026 Chicago Auto Show boasts hundreds of different vehicles from more than two dozen different manufacturers. In addition, you’ll find numerous automotive accessories, auto-related exhibits, competition vehicles, project cars, antique and collector vehicles, and interactive exhibits. For tix and more info: @thechicagoautoshow

IF YOU'RE FEELING UN-ROMANTIC- CHECK OUT DRUNK SHAKESPEARE'S ROMEO AND JULIET- THE GREATEST (DRUNK) LOVE STORY EVER TOLD at The Lion Theatre in Chicago at 182 N Wabash Ave. One professional actor has 5 shots of whiskey and then attempts to perform a major role in Shakespeare&rsquo;s greatest love story: Romeo &amp; Juliet. Hilarity and mayhem ensue while the remaining sober actors try to keep the script on track. Every show is different depending on who is drinking&hellip;and what they&rsquo;re drinking!&nbsp; Craft cocktails are available for purchase and delivered to your seat throughout the show. For tix and more info: @drunkmayhem
IF YOU'RE CELEBRATING GALENTINE'S DAY: Check out the Galentine's Brunch at Leed's Public House this weekend in Michigan City, Indiana! This year&rsquo;s featured vendors are NJ Jewels (permanent jewelry), Status Glow Hand Made Candles, and DryRain Boutique. They&rsquo;ll have their pop-up shops set up so that you can shop to support these women-owned, local businesses! Reservations for groups of 6 or more are recommended; smaller groups will be sat on a first-come, first-served basis- but you are welcome to grab a drink and shop if there is a wait! For tix and more info:&nbsp;@leedspublichouse
IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOME NEW WHEELS: Check out the Chicago Auto Show this weekend and next at McCormick Place. The Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent. This year marks the 118th edition of the Chicago Auto Show. passenger cars, trucks, sport-utility vehicles, minivans, and experimental and concept cars.&nbsp; In total, the 2026 Chicago Auto Show boasts hundreds of different vehicles from more than two dozen different manufacturers. In addition, you&rsquo;ll find numerous automotive accessories, auto-related exhibits, competition vehicles, project cars, antique and collector vehicles, and interactive exhibits. For tix and more info:&nbsp;@thechicagoautoshow

Social with Steph - 02/05/2026 - Chicagoland has a lot of sweet activities this weekend

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a7b0bd27-d748-4fbe-ab3b-a6fa0049bcf6/clips/4aa36baa-b039-4fb7-b905-b3e8010328ef/transcript

How Illinois Can Help Small Business Flourish

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