Results tagged “jobs”

Sugar Grove-based Chicago Industrial Fasteners LLC announced a new partnership with Spain's Matz-Erreka SCL to market and distribute large bolts and rods for wind turbines. The agreement, which will bring the high-strength bolts that are used to hold together and anchor wind turbines from Spain to the United States, is expected to help CIF expand its wind power parts business in the U.S. While CIF will import the parts initially, the plan is to shift production to Sugar Grove, creating “conservatively 10 to 20 jobs,” according to John Price, the firm's president. Figuring in both transportation costs and the exchange rate, “we can be a lot more competitive if we don’t have to ship it from Spain.”

Last year at this time, the state's unemployment rate was 6.7 percent. As of September, the jobless rate in Illinois has already increased to 10.5 percent, after dropping slightly down to 10 percent in August, according to statistics that were released on Friday. The Illinois Department of Employment Security reported that the three-month unemployment average rose 0.1 percent to 10.3 percent, marking its highest level since December 1983. In comparison to the entire county, the U.S. jobless rate rose to 9.8 percent in September, from 9.7 percent in August, also the highest since 1983.

Craigslist is good for a lot of things. We all know that finding hookers is just the tip of the iceberg of what Craig and his list has to offer. For example, our unfertilized eggs could be worth thousands of dollars, numerous gentlemens' establishments would love for us to come dance for them, and we had no idea where we could get a free pile of dirt and some coat hangers, but CL comes through time and time again. Despite the recession easing a bit, times are still tough. But there are still places and people in Chicago that are more than willing to give you money! All you have to do is...well, there's some pretty bizarre stuff out there. An example:

There may be a little gleam of sunshine poking through the gloom of the current recession if the latest unemployment numbers are to be believed. While unemployment throughout the state inched up last month, based on numbers from the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the city of Chicago's July jobless rate actually dropped to 10.7 percent, down from 11.3 percent in June. Granted, that's like saying the flood waters just receded from 10 feet to 8 feet and it's still well ahead of the national average of 9.4 percent, but - hey - progress! Illinois is likely to be slower to see those numbers drop compared to the rest of the nation, according to IDES Director Maureen O’Donnell: “The country felt the pain of this recession many months before it was felt in Illinois, and it is likely that the same pattern will hold true as the economy recovers." [Crain's]

Suitmaker to the president, Hart Schaffner Marx, or Hartmarx, was bought by London-based Emerisque Brands for $128.4 millon. The deal was approved in June after several congressmen and state politicians pleaded with Wells Fargo, which took billions in federal bailout funds, to sell the clothier to Esmerisque, which agreed to keep production in the United States. Hartmarx slid into bankruptcy during the economic collapse of late 2008 as its access to revolving credit dried up. Wells Fargo held the bulk of Hartmarx's debt. As late as June the bank was reported to be considering selling the unit to the highest bidder for quick liquidation.

Chicago's Chief Financial Officer Gene Saffold is predicting that the city's budget hole will be worse next year. This is after the city burns through a new $320 million "rainy day fund" created from the parking meter lease. Saffold predicted a deficit of upwards of half a billion dollars next year, citing declining tax revenue and increased wages, compared against a projected budget of $6 billion. (Is this the first time the city has engaged in long-range financial planning? Publicly, at least?) While raising taxes is a last resort, according to Saffold, "nothing is ruled out at this point," Saffold told the Tribune. "The mayor has instructed us not to look at property taxes as we move forward in 2010."

The new United We Work site - which just went public this week - seems to be catching on. Free for job seekers and employers alike through the end of the year, the site is expected to have 500,000 job openings posted by the end of this week. The incentive for employers to use the site, is a reduction in the cost of hiring because the responsibility for finding qualified candidates is shared across participating employers. “We believe that if we can break those [cost barriers] down, it may stimulate an employer to hire now instead of waiting six months,” Jason Kerr, founder of QuietAgent told the Tribune.

According to a survey of local employers conducted by temporary employment service Manpower Inc, 14 percent said that they expect to add more workers during the third quarter of this year, from July through September. That's an increase from the 10 percent that employers said they expected to hire in the second quarter, from April through June. Furthermore, fewer employers said that they expected to cut their workforce in the third quarter, suggesting that the recent declines in the labor market may be slowing. The survey also showed that 12 percent of employers polled expect to reduce payrolls, compared with 14 percent who said they were cutting jobs in the prior quarter. 71 percent expect to maintain their current staff levels. The construction, financial services, professional and business services, education and health services, and leisure and hospitality services sectors showed the best prospects for growth, while durable goods manufacturing, transportation and utilities, and wholesale and retail reported plans to cut jobs.

Chicago will be spending $34 million on job training this year, helping 11,000 people as they search for new jobs, the Chi-Town Daily News reports. Of the $34 million, federal stimulus money accounts for $18 million of the funds while the rest comes from the money Chicago gets annually for work development projects.

Hartmarx, the local suit-maker which filed for bankruptcy early this year after U.S. banks cut off credit amid the global financial meltdown, is expected to select a buyer later this week. Emerisque Brands resubmitted its bid for the troubled clothier Tuesday. Emerisque is believed to be the only bidder that will keep Hartmarx's U.S. operations largely intact. The London-based private-equity firm is interested in "acquiring substantially all of the assets" of the Chicago-based suit maker, and said it intends to operate the company "as a single going concern." The firm said in a prepared statement that "we believe in the potential and future growth of the Hartmarx family of brands, and recognize the value of a 'Made in America' label in the United States and in markets around the world," the company said in a prepared statement.

A federal arbitrator dealt what may be the final blow to United Steelworkers Local 7367. The steelworkers' union had argued that ArcelorMittal Steel USA had committed to keeping its Hennepin, IL plant open until 2012, as long as it was productive and profitable. The arbitrator ruled that ArcelorMittal could close the plant permanently. The union had been fighting to reopen the plant, or get ArcelorMittal to agree to sell it to someone who would.

While Hartmarx employees were holding vigil outside of the Des Plains plant that makes the President's suits, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias was putting Wells Fargo on notice that their future business relationships with the State of Illinois could be in jeopardy. That's because Wells Fargo holds the majority of the bankrupt clothier's debt and is reportedly leaning toward liquidating the company's assets, recouping their funds quickly, but throwing over 3,000 people out of work. "Unless the company remains open, [Wells Fargo] will not be doing business with the state of Illinois any longer," Giannoulias told workers outside the plant.

As promised, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky is turning up the heat on Wells Fargo, the largest holder of Chicago-based Hartmarx's debt, in hopes that they will select a company that will keep the storied suit maker intact and in business. Hartmarx has been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy since late last year, and three companies are vying to take over the maker of President Obama's suits. Recent reports indicate that Wells Fargo favors liquidation, yielding a quick return of the bank's funds at the expense of 3,000 midwestern jobs.

Hart Schaffner Marx, (known as Hartmarx), the maker of President Obama's suits, is having a tough time in this difficult economy. The maker of high-end men's suits saw a significant drop-off in sales at the end of last year, as the luxury clothing market suffered from the economic crash. As then-President-elect Barack Obama was preparing to head to Washington to take the reigns of an economy that was in a free-fall, the previous administration was busily shoveling taxpayer dollars into the financial system to to prop up a faltering banking system. Among the banks that took government money to stay afloat was Wells Fargo, which accepted $25 billion in Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds. Shortly after taking that money, however, Wells Fargo cut off credit to Hartmarx, which was subsequently forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Since then the manufacturer of high-quality suits, which employs more than 3,000 people in Illinois and Michigan, has been trying to regain its footing in the luxury men's apparel business.

     

Members of USW Locals 101, 1011 and 7367 held a rally in downtown Chicago Thursday afternoon at the Federal Plaza to demand that ArcelorMittal Steel either reopen their Hennepin, IL finishing plant or allow it to be sold to another company that will. Despite turning a profit of $48 million last year, the global steel giant has idled the Hennepin finishing mill, leaving 300 families downstate unemployed in a county with a 14.1 percent jobless rate. Governor Pat Quinn joined the rally as well, declaring that Illinois needs strong middle class jobs if the state is going to thrive in the economic recovery.

Mayor Daley and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin announced that O'Hare won a $12 million dollar grant for improvements to the airport, as part of the city's first economic recovery program. About $5 million of those funds will be used to replace runway pavement, and nearly $7 million will be used to widen a taxiway. "Both of these projects are important for the safe and efficient operation of this airport," Daley told CBS2. "They couldn't have been done at this time without the assistance of the federal grant." The mayor also pointed out that none of the funding will be used for the O'Hare Expansion Project, which is currently behind schedule and about $130 million over budget.

As the national (and state) unemployment rates continue to rise, Governor Blagojevich has announced the launching of a new state-run website, in conjunction with CareerBuilder, that will connect citizens to new job openings. Illinois workNet was launched today, with Blago billing it as, "the best place for Illinois' job seekers and businesses to connect to resources and services needed to be successful in the 21st century economy." Blago also announced state-wide "Workforce Outreach Days" intended to help prepare potential employees with career planning and training. Said the governor, via a press statement:

I know that Illinoisans are suffering. We see evidence of that everyday as families make difficult decisions about budgeting their money, how to get by while they look for a new job, or how to ensure that their children have opportunities in this tough economy. While our state cannot fix the mistakes made by those on Wall Street and in Washington, we do offer services to help families through a difficult time. During Illinois Workforce Week, I want to make sure that Illinoisans know that they can get help through services like Illinois workNet, All Kids, and LIHEAP.

The trickle of local job eliminations has now become a steady stream. Playboy Enterprises, Inc. announced yesterday that cost-cutting measures will result in 55 jobs being cut at the Chicago division of offices. Museums are fighting to keep their heads above water as well; the Peggy Notebart Nature Museum has already cut 16 percent of its staff after the first two months of the fiscal year saw a 45 percent drop in income, and the Field Museum has eliminated five positions.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced today that the state's unemployment rate now stands at 7.3 percent, a 15-year high. There are currently 491,300 unemployed people in Illinois, which is the most since June 1992. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 5.7, a five-year high. [IDES]

Apparently finding a summer job is not as easy as it used to be. Kids looking for part-time employment are facing a shrinking job market, and it's already difficult to land a job without experience or job history. And on July 1, the state will increase its minimum wage from $7.50 to $7.75, possibly increasing the squeeze on the number of available jobs.

Georgette Watson, the 46-year-old principal of Brentano Math and Science Academy in Logan Square, died yesterday while she was having a root canal. According to reports, she was anesthetized, but it's not clear yet if she was under general or local anesthesia. She stopped breathing 40 minutes into the procedure, and despite efforts to revive her, she died. Her autopsy is scheduled for today, but she appears to have had a heart attack.

The numbers to the left tell the story. Hyde Park Co-Op shareholders voted by a wide margin in favor of a buyout by the University of Chicago and close the store by the end of January.

We thought we'd been hearing jugbands downtown recently, and now we know we have: River otters are making a comeback in Chicago waterways. According to the Chris Anchor, chief biologist for Cook County (jobs we didn't know existed: that one), "Almost all the watersheds in Cook County have otters. They're everywhere...there's definitely otters downtown." No one's sure exactly why the otters have re-emerged, but the Brookfield Zoo and Forest Preserve District will be tagging...

This week's listings kick off this evening at Merchandise Mart with "Chill: an International Wine & Culinary Event" sponsored by Luxehome and Wine Spectator. Proceeds from the event benefit the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. The event runs from 5 - 8 p.m. Chicago Professionals for Youth is committed to improving the lives of local underprivileged youth through literacy and mentoring programs, college preparation, job training and career skills assistance. Saturday they're hosting...

With all the investigating and convicting going on these days, the case against the Hispanic Democratic Organization and its leadership hasn't been in the news much lately. With George Ryan out the way, the feds can get back to taking down the Chicago Machine. The first casualty of what will likely be many in that case came yesterday, with John Resa, an HDO coordinator who controlled some 70 city jobs, getting 15 months in prison...

I'm bringin' Rexy back That other boy threw just as many picks I think Rexy's special... he's my quarterback He can turn around our team or I'll take the flack So maybe Lovie Smith didn't perform a parody of Justin Timberlake's hit song, but the Bears' head coach did announce to the press on Wednesday that he was changing quarterbacks again and that Rex Grossman will start when the Bears face the Seattle Seahawks on...

Looks like we're not the only ones with a case of the Mondays: Things aren't looking so great for Blagojevich today, either. Over the weekend, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn blamed Blago for the firing of 17 veterans from security jobs within the Illinois Department of Military Affairs. "The governor proclaimed this 'Hire a Veteran Month.' He didn't say 'Fire a Veteran,'" said Quinn. All together now: Oh, snap! Blagojevich says it's a matter of federal...

Ugh, finally: 28 aldermen are filing a petition to U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow demanding the City release the names of the most-complained-about police officers. The Sun-Times's spot-on editorial is completely degraded by heinous illustration that accompanies it, from the same "artist" who also did yesterday's ricockulously bad Stroger drawing. The Book Cellar is hosting "Chicago’s Wittiest Women Writers" tonight. We deeply resent not being invited to participate, but cannot deny the wit of Stacey...

Crook County Board President Todd Stroger unveiled his $3.2 billion budget Wednesday. Stroger has struggled to give the appearance that his government is small and fiscally responsible, eliminating about 735 positions over the last three fiscal years, and reducing 1,800 positions from this year's budget. Now he claims that bringing the county's tax take to $888 million by 2009 — by tripling the county sales tax and doubling gas and parking taxes — is necessary...

Angels will get their wings this Saturday night at Custom House. From 6-9 p.m. Shawn McClain's South Loop steakhouse is hosting a fundraiser to benefit Blue Sky Inn. Frequent shoppers at area farmers markets might be familiar with Blue Sky Inn for the work they do with their transitional work program, "A Taste of Success." The program hires and trains homeless youth in baking pastries, which are then sold at farmers markets and through catering...