Caterpillar CEO’s warnings 4 years later: Illinois on downward slide as predicted

By Michael Lucci

02/15/2016

Illinois politicians ignored Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman’s 2012 plea for pro-growth reforms, and Illinois is the only state in the region to have lost manufacturing jobs on net over the last four years.

TAGS: manufacturing, unemployment

CAT layoffs continue as manufacturing work in Peoria area closes in on all-time low

By Michael Lucci

01/31/2016

Caterpillar Inc.’s announcement of 670 layoffs comes amid the loss of a quarter of the manufacturing jobs in Peoria and Tazewell counties since 2008.

Caterpillar Inc. closing 5 plants, cutting 670 jobs

By Austin Berg

01/29/2016

The East Peoria, Ill., plant will be the hardest hit, losing 230 jobs for office and production workers. As neighboring states grow factory work, Illinois is approaching an all-time low for manufacturing jobs.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing, unemployment

Workers’ compensation in Illinois: Identifying the pain points

By Michael Lucci

12/26/2015

Breaking down the overall high cost and regulatory burden borne by businesses.

TAGS: workers compensation

Caterpillar to cut 10,000 jobs, close and consolidate facilities

By Amy Korte

09/24/2015

Caterpillar plans to cut 10,000 jobs and close 20 manufacturing facilities to save $1.5 billion annually.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing, property taxes, workers compensation

Caterpillar lays off 300 Illinois workers

By Austin Berg

08/26/2015

The layoffs come amid a dismal manufacturing climate in the Land of Lincoln.

TAGS: manufacturing

Illinois’ summer manufacturing meltdown: South Side Oreo manufacturer laying off 600

By Michael Lucci

07/30/2015

The state lost more than 40 manufacturing jobs per day through the first half of 2015.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Chips Ahoy, jobs, manufacturing, Nabisco, Oreos

The disappearance of Illinois’ manufacturing jobs

By Michael Lucci

09/15/2014

Illinois’ manufacturing sector has been hemorrhaging jobs for decades, and policy has a lot to do with it. Since 2004, Illinois has lost 125,000 manufacturing jobs. Most of these losses resulted from the Great Recession – a colossal 117,000 manufacturing jobs were shed from January 2008-January 2010 – but precious few have returned. In the...

TAGS: jobs

High workers’ compensation costs cited in closing of Quincy factory

By Shawn Tonge

07/03/2014

The closing of a factory in Quincy, Ill., will leave more than 150 employees with uncertain futures. According to a recent report from The Quincy Herald-Whig, representatives of Quincy Compressor have announced that the factory will close in July 2015. Layoffs are expected to begin this fall. Despite efforts from union leaders and government officials...

Caterpillar layoffs a symptom of Illinois dire jobs climate

03/31/2013

Caterpillar Inc., one of the dozens of companies to receive special tax breaks after Illinois record 2011 income tax hike, recently announced plans to lay off more than 460 employees this June at its plant in Decatur.

TAGS: Caterpillar

Doug Oberhelman

Caterpillar CEO’s warnings 4 years later: Illinois on downward slide as predicted

CAT layoffs continue as manufacturing work in Peoria area closes in on all-time low

Caterpillar Inc. closing 5 plants, cutting 670 jobs

Workers’ compensation in Illinois: Identifying the pain points

Caterpillar to cut 10,000 jobs, close and consolidate facilities

Caterpillar lays off 300 Illinois workers

Illinois’ summer manufacturing meltdown: South Side Oreo manufacturer laying off 600

The disappearance of Illinois’ manufacturing jobs

High workers’ compensation costs cited in closing of Quincy factory

Caterpillar layoffs a symptom of Illinois dire jobs climate

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students