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Manufacturing
Quick Hit
by Ellyn Fortino
1:36pm
Thu May 2

New Study Challenges Prominent Business Climate Rankings (UPDATED)

Prominent studies that rank states’ business climates often contradict each other and should not be used to inform public policies, according to a new “Grading Places” report published by the Washington, D.C.-based Good Jobs First.

“There’s no such thing as a state business climate,” said Greg LeRoy, executive director of Good Jobs First, on a conference call with reporters. “One size can’t fit all. Things vary much too much among different kinds of business facilities and among metro areas. There are no silver bullets. There [are] no magic variables.” <--break->

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Quick Hit
by Ashlee Rezin
12:51pm
Wed Apr 17

Bustos Introduces Legislation Aimed At Boosting Job Creation, Regulating Federal Contracts

A new House bill would make job creation an important element in contract bids for the federal government.

The legislation, called the American Jobs Matter Act, HR 1332, would require companies to include a “jobs impact statement” in their proposal for contract bids. The statement tells the government the number of jobs that will be created by the company and its subcontractors.

The legislation also requires companies to guarantee that jobs will not be moved outside of the U.S. once the contract has been awarded.

“America, specifically our region of America, has the best workers in the world,” said U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (D, IL-17), sponsor of the legislation, on a conference call. “We should take advantage of their skills and craftsmanship.”

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Quick Hit
by Ashlee Rezin
4:39pm
Mon Apr 8

Schneider Launches Initiative To Support Small Businesses

Freshman lawmaker U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D, IL-10) met with constituents in Gurnee today in an effort to better understand the needs of small business owners in his district.

“If I’m going to represent the district, I have to understand what makes up the district” said Schneider, who has visited 17 small businesses since taking office earlier this year.

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Quick Hit
by Ashlee Rezin
6:23pm
Thu Mar 28

Foster Introduces Bill Aimed At Boosting Manufacturing Job Training

Kids don’t make stuff anymore, according to U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D, IL-11). That thought motivated him to sponsor legislation that would establish a charter of Fab Labs across the nation.

Fab Labs are open-to-the-public digital fabrication laboratories where products can be invented, designed and manufactured by adults and children alike. First instituted in 2008 by the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), there are approximately 160 Fab Labs nationwide with 150 more in development.

“A city grows when its manufacturing base grows,” said Foster at a roundtable discussion on the legislation today. “As a country, you can only consume what you create.”

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Quick Hit
by Ellyn Fortino
2:04pm
Tue Feb 26

Halvorson, Steger Residents Blast Bloomberg SuperPAC Money On Election Day (VIDEO)

Freezing rain began to slick over the sidewalks this morning just as Democratic candidate for the 2nd congressional district Debbie Halvorson voted at the Steger Community Center.

Former congresswoman Halvorson is one of 18 candidates running in the special primary election today to replace Jesse Jackson Jr., who pled guilty last week to misusing campaign funds.

“The 2nd congressional district has been plagued for a long time with ethical problems, with corruption, and we have a chance to really close that chapter and start fresh,” Halvorson said just after casting her ballot.

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PI Original
by Ashlee Rezin
4:37pm
Wed Feb 13

Obama Calls For Congress To Act On Progressive Issues In SOTU Address

Politics

With a promise to fuel economic growth but not add “a single dime” to America’s deficit, President Obama’s State of the Union address focused on creating middle-class jobs and encouraged bipartisan support for initiatives such as raising the minimum wage.