China

Branded with a number on my name

By Scott Reeder
04/13/2016
When they let me out of prison, I held my head up high. Determined I would rise above the shame. But no matter where I’m living, the black mark follows me. I’m branded with a number on my name. —Merle Haggard

TAGS: criminal justice reform, reentry

Illinois manufacturing continues to lag

By Mark Fitton
12/21/2015
illinois-manufacturing
Noting some hard numbers from November, Illinois manufacturers say they’re watching Springfield for decisions on taxes and spending as they keep battling in a worldwide marketplace. While Illinois gained a few jobs in November, they weren’t in manufacturing. Although the state added about 400 jobs in November, the unemployment rate rose 0.3 percentage points to...

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing, unemployment