Illinois companies announce more than 2,100 mass layoffs in May

By Brendan Bakala

06/15/2017

1,120 of the jobs lost were in manufacturing and food processing.

TAGS: Aurora, jobs, manufacturing

Illinois has 4th-most Fortune 500 corporate headquarters in U.S.

By Kevin Angell

06/13/2017

Although Illinois hosts corporate headquarters of many large companies, its economy lags in blue-collar job opportunities.

TAGS: Chicago, Fortune 500, manufacturing, prevailing wage, regulations, workers compensation

Butterball to close Montgomery-based plant, costing 600 jobs

By Brendan Bakala

05/18/2017

The plant will close its doors by July 17 and offer some employees relocation opportunities.

TAGS: jobs, Kane County, manufacturing, Montgomery

Political cowardice on workers’ compensation is destroying blue-collar jobs

By Austin Berg

05/16/2017

Illinois is home to the highest workers’ compensation costs in the region, and the weakest manufacturing recovery. New research details pain points and ways to fix the system while protecting worker safety.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing, physician dispensing, workers compensation

Indiana has added five times more union members than Illinois since passing Right to Work

By Michael Lucci

05/09/2017

Indiana’s sharp rise in union members is due to its robust economic growth and increase in manufacturing jobs, while Illinois’ economy continues to lose factories and sees little growth in union members.

TAGS: Indiana, jobs, labor, manufacturing, right to work, unions, workers compensation

While politicians posture, Illinois industry is getting crushed

By Austin Berg

05/04/2017

The average cost of workers’ comp for steel workers among neighboring states is under $8 per $100 of payroll compared to nearly $12 in Illinois.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing, workers compensation

BLS jobs report shows weak economy in Illinois, recovery in neighboring states

By Michael Lucci

04/24/2017

Illinois saw a 0.23 percent increase in jobs in the first quarter of 2017, the third-worst growth rate in the region.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, manufacturing, unemployment

Illinois loses nearly 9,000 jobs on net in March; unemployment rate drops

By Michael Lucci

04/21/2017

Illinois lost jobs across several industries including construction, manufacturing, and professional and business services. The only employment category to see significant growth was leisure and hospitality.

TAGS: construction, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, manufacturing, unemployment

Caterpillar to move corporate headquarters to Deerfield

By Austin Berg

04/20/2017

The industry giant’s move comes amid continued disinvestment in Illinois manufacturing.

TAGS: Caterpillar, Deerfield, Doug Oberhelman, manufacturing, peoria, property taxes, workers compensation

After mass layoffs, a chilling look back at CAT’s plea for reforms

By Austin Berg

04/12/2017

In February 2012, Caterpillar’s then-CEO Doug Oberhelman outlined needed reforms to save Illinois manufacturing jobs. State lawmakers have failed to act, and the Land of Lincoln is the only state in the region to lose manufacturing jobs since.

TAGS: Aurora, Caterpillar, manufacturing, workers compensation