May 18, 2011
By Mary J. Cristobal Illinois Statehouse News
SPRINGFIELD — The city of Moline’s public library is only open six days a week. Its public parks’ lawn is mowed once a month. And the city staff has been cut by 10 percent, while the remaining workers are taking more furlough days and a pay freeze.
April 19, 2010
By Ashley Badgley Illinois Statehouse News
SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Pat Quinn signed the state's pension reforms into law last week, creating a second tier of slimmer benefits for state workers, including teachers, university faculty and staff, judges and lawmakers hired on or after Jan.1, 2011.
Sounds simple, right? Not so fast.
January 22, 2010
By Kevin Lee (217)528-9604
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ economic malaise shows no sign of recovery yet, according to one statistical indicator.
The state unemployment rate rose again to 11.1 percent in December, from 10.9 percent in November, according to a report released Friday by the state.
The jobless rate is the highest in Illinois since August 1983.
Illinois Department of Employment Security spokesman Greg Rivara said high unemployment was a reflection of the national economic downturn.
“A national recession sometimes is a lot like peering across water – you know the horizon is there, you can see it, but you’re not exactly sure when you’re going to reach it. This recession feels a lot like that,” he said.
The national unemployment rate has remained at 10 percent through November and December.
State Rep. Don Moffit, R-Gilson, said unemployment tied in directly to the state’s massive budget problem.
“When people are working you’re generating state income tax and state sales tax…so continued efforts at creating jobs, lowering unemployment, need to be at the top of the agenda for the legislature and the administration [of Gov. Pat Quinn],” he said.
Moline Mayor Don Welvaert said his city’s employees have had to make sacrifices in order to avoid layoffs.
“Most of the city employees are going to be required to take three to four unpaid furlough days in 2010. That’s another one of the cost-reduction efforts we’ve had to take in order to make ends meet,” he said.
Welvaert added that Moline employees were scheduled for a salary raise this year, but have agreed to defer the raise until July 2011.
The downturn has not spared TIS Bookstore near the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, according to store manager Brian Paragi.
“We just had to cut hours last fall, which is the first time we’ve ever had to do that. I’ve been here this location for about fourteen years and the store has been here eighteen years, and I don’t think we’ve ever had to lay folks off before,” he said.
TIS had to lay off about 10 part-time workers, and is turning to 75 temporary employees to handle the influx of students returning from holiday vacation.
Illinois lost 16,300 jobs between November and December 2009. The industries hardest hit were construction; trade, transportation and utilities; and leisure and hospitality.
The state saw minor employment increases in financial activities and in the information sector.
“We really encourage people to take an honest assessment of their skill sets, to make an honest assessment of what training, what education that they can obtain to better position themselves to re-enter the workforce,” Rivara said.
IDES is scheduled to release local and county unemployment numbers next week.
January 22, 2010
By Kevin Lee (217)528-9604
SPRINGFIELD – Workers and employers around Illinois who are waiting for the national recession to end are going to have to wait a little longer.
The state’s unemployment rate jumped again last month to 11-point-1 percent for December.
Greg Rivara with the Illinois Department of Employment Security has a few suggestions for those seeking work.
012110GregRivara3 :20 …returns to Illinois.”
Moline Mayor Don Welaevert says his city’s employees have had to make sacrifices in order to avoid layoffs.
012110DonWelavert1 :20 …in our case.”
The state is scheduled to release local statistics on unemployment next week.
January 22, 2010
By Kevin Lee (217)528-9604
SPRINGFIELD – Finding a job in Illinois just got a bit harder.
The state’s unemployment rate jumped again to 11-point-1 percent for December.
That’s the highest rate Illinois has seen since 1983.
Greg Rivara with the Illinois Department of Employment Security says the national recession is a major factor in the state’s high unemployment.
Businesses and communities are suffering as a result of the national downturn.
Moline Mayor Don Welvaert says his city’s employees have had to make sacrifices in order to avoid layoffs.
Most Moline workers will take three to four unpaid furlough days this year. They have also agreed to wait until next summer to see a pay raise.
Rivara says those seeking work should seek more training and education to boost their job prospects.
State Representative Don Moffitt says creating and keeping jobs should be the state’s highest priority.
The Galesburg-area Republican says high unemployment is contributing directly to the state’s massive budget problem.
Local jobless numbers are due from the state Department of Employment Security next week.
