Blue Collar Jobs Act Construction Tax Credits for Illinois Businesses

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced the launch of the Blue Collar Jobs Act (BCJA) Tax Credit application for eligible companies.

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Consumer confidence dropped slightly in May from the prior month, according to the Conference Board’s latest survey that cited nervousness about lingering inflation despite a relatively strong employment market.

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois Present 2023 Annual Volunteer Awards

Multifamily Deals Post Double-Digit Price Declines in April

The commercial real estate market is increasingly divided with larger properties seeing prices fall, while smaller properties gain in value, according to CoStar Group’s latest repeat-sales indices report.

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Commercial real estate transactions are expected to end 2023 at volumes 50% below those seen just two years ago, as high interest rates and persistent inflation curb investor and developer appetites, according to a new forecast report from the Urban Land Institute.

Global Clothier Slows Plan To Expand Old Navy, Athleta Brands After Missing Growth Expectations

In its struggle to turn around years of losses across its clothing brands, global retailer Gap Inc. is pulling back on its brick-and-mortar expansion plans for the rest of the year as it scrambles to cut potential expenses.

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The Fitch ratings agency has placed the United States’ current triple-A credit status on a tentative “rating watch negative” status amid uncertainties over debates on Capitol Hill, as lawmakers look to avoid default by hashing out a deal to raise the nation’s debt ceiling.

Specialized Space Leans Into Engineering Facilities With More Automation, Job Losses Ahead

Chicago’s principal strengths, including its diverse economy, strong infrastructure and popularity among recent college graduates, are what keep investors and employers interested in planting their stakes in the Midwest’s largest economic outpost.

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One-person households are much more likely than their family counterparts to travel to the office for work in five major cities tracked by traffic analytics firm Placer.ai, as the Tuesday-through-Thursday period strengthens its position as the peak time for office commutes.

But Storm Clouds Ahead Threaten Much Different Results in the Second Half of the Year

Blackstone Group, touted as the world's largest real estate investor, remains bullish on retail property despite an uncertain economic outlook for the last half of the year.

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Blue Collar Jobs Act Construction Tax Credits for Illinois Businesses

Chad Goodman has been named music director of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. Goodman was selected following a two-year international search that included a pool of nearly 100 applicants. He is the fifth music director for the award-winning Symphony and will preside over the ESO’s 74th season, which opens Oct. 7

Tenants’ Renewed Focus on Profitable Locations Fuels Exodus From Aging, Indoor Properties

The American mall is undergoing a transformation, but retail property professionals are still assessing what exactly it's turning into.

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The U.S. economy is expected to weather recent crises including the failure of some regional banks and a debate over raising the federal debt ceiling, though a survey of economists predicts a recession could still hit in late 2023 or in the next 12 months.

The City of Elgin kicks off a new summer concert series at Festival Park in downtown Elgin

Longtime U-46 educator is currently serving in interim capacity

Store Closings, Metal Detectors and Chained-Down Laundry Detergent Become More Common

Chris Waggett, a Denver real estate developer and landlord, is beyond fed up with retail theft and violence. He calls it a crisis.

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CEO departures at U.S. companies totaled 147 in April, rising 6% from the prior month and increasing 20% from a year earlier as numerous industries dealt with a volatile economy, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

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Existing home sales in April declined 3.4% from the prior month and 23.2% from a year earlier, marking continued difficulties for housing demand amid high interest rates and limited inventory of homes available for sale, the National Association of Realtors reported.

Retail Giant Aims To Increase Sales in Apparel and Home Goods

Walmart, the nation's biggest retailer, is stepping up its rollout of spiffier remodeled stores that spotlight and display nongrocery merchandise, such as apparel and home goods, as it seeks to bolster its market share in those discretionary merchandise categories.

Telecommunications giant AT&T's CEO John Stankey unveiled plans for the company to cut back on its physical real estate and said he has given an ultimatum to certain managers: Return to the office or quit.

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U.S. housing construction starts rose 2.2% in April from the prior month but were still down 21.1% from year-earlier levels as overall housing demand remained muted in a climate of high interest rates, the Commerce Department said.

After more than three decades of battling evil and exemplifying teamwork, the beloved Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) will appear in a museum exhibit for children and families to enjoy at Gail Borden Public Library starting June 2.

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April’s $686.1 billion in U.S. retail and food service sales marked a 0.4% increase from the prior month and a boost of 1.6% from a year earlier, with a prominent trade group describing Tuesday’s Commerce Department report as a sign of consumer resilience and engagement despite economic uncertainties.

Alison Victoria Involved with Habitat for Humanity and its Women Build projects.

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Consumer debt topped $17 trillion for the first time in the first quarter, despite declining demand for home mortgages over the past several months, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported.

Job satisfaction among U.S. workers reached its highest level of the past 35 years in the latest survey findings of the Conference Board, though sentiments expressed in the economic research group’s 2022 report pre-date a series of mass layoffs that have rocked technology and other industries so far in 2023

Job satisfaction among U.S. workers reached its highest level of the past 35 years in the latest survey findings of the Conference Board, though sentiments expressed in the economic research group’s 2022 report pre-date a series of mass layoffs that have rocked technology and other industries so far in 2023

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Inflation, jitters about regional banks and a showdown in Washington over how to tackle government debt are among numerous issues spurring analysts to ratchet down what were already relatively pessimistic predictions for global economic growth.

Surprising Investment Demand in the Heartland

Once overshadowed by the Sun Belt's spectacular growth, it's now the Midwest that has been attracting more investment demand in recent quarters.

Coming to Illinois

The American Pickers are excited to return to Illinois! They plan to film episodes of The History Channel hit television series throughout your area in July 2023.

Springfield News from the Illinois Chamber

Middleby Corp. reports first-quarter results

Elgin Industries : John Deere Partner-Level Supplier for 11 years in a row!

CoStar News

Consumers got some additional relief from historically high prices as the nation’s annual inflation rate slid to 4.9% in April, down from 5% in the previous month, the Labor Department reported Wednesday.

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Celebrating Economic Development Week

The Elgin Development Group is celebrating Economic Development Week from May 8-12.

Elgin Property Among the Top Leases

Stelfast Inc., an importer and manufacturer of industrial fasteners and truck parts, has renewed a lease for 229,356 square feet at Northwest Business Park VI in Elgin. Stelfast has been a tenant since 2020, according to CoStar data. Boston-based High Street Logistics purchased the multi-zoned property in 2021.

Asset Managers See Gross Operating Profit Exceeding Budgets at Most Hotels, Survey Says

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Windel recognized for leading VNA’s efforts to expand access to quality, affordable care in the Chicago suburbs

Crain’s Chicago Business named VNA Health Care President and CEO Linnea Windel to their list of 2023 Notable Leaders in Health Care. Each year, Crain’s recognizes health care leaders for their pioneering accomplishments and ability to adjust to crises. Windel was chosen by Crain’s for her leadership at VNA to expand its reach to provide quality, affordable healthcare to more residents in the Chicago suburbs.

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois Announces 19th Annual Thin Mint Sprint

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois (GSNI) will host its 19th Annual Thin Mint Sprint fundraising 5K fun run/walk on Saturday, September 16, from 8:30 a.m.–Noon in partnership with the Fox River Grove Memorial Library Running Club.

ECC wins national award for excellence in diversity efforts

Elgin Community College is the recipient of the 2023 Inclusive Excellence Award by the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE). ECC won the Institutional Excellence Award for a two-year institution.

The City of Elgin has partnered with 120Water to offer free water testing and pitcher filter kits for water customers who live or do business in Elgin. This new program is designed to help residents and business owners identify and reduce lead in their drinking water.

Registration is now open for the City of Elgin's Fourth of July Parade. Participants can register and view parade guidelines at cityofelgin.org/july4. Registration closes on June 12.

Senior Services Associates' Caregiver Specialists identify caregiver needs through a program called Tailored Care Assessment (TCARE). We develop a tailored plan to reduce caregiver stress and burnout. We support caregivers and their families in helping seniors live independently as long as safely manageable in their home.

Professional development is essential for anyone looking to take their career to the next level. Creating and executing a professional development plan can help you hone your skills and show employers that you are invested in becoming an expert in your field.

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra today announced details of its 74th season featuring six classics concerts. Season subscription packages for the 2023-24 programs are now on sale at www.elginsymphony.org or by calling the ESO box office at (847) 888-4000 Tuesday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra has announced details of its 2023-24 season featuring 6 exciting classic programs.

Site Selection Magazine - an international industry-leading business publication -- released its annual corporate expansion and relocation rankings, naming Illinois 2nd in the nation for corporate projects and Chicago the Top Metro for the 10th year in a row. The publication noted 487 Illinois projects in 2022, moving the state up from the number three spot in the previous year's rankings.

The 2022 mid-term election has shifted the scales in Washington, D.C., with the Democrats no longer controlling both houses of Congress. While it remains to be seen if ? and when ? any tax-related legislation can muster the requisite bipartisan support, a review of certain provisions in existing laws may provide an indication of the many areas ripe for action in the next two years.

The U-46 Board of Education has appointed Dr. Suzanne Johnson as the interim superintendent for the state's second-largest school district. For the past five years, Johnson has served as the deputy superintendent of instruction for the district.

During a review, the IRS determined it will not challenge the taxability of payments related to general welfare and disaster relief. This means that people in the following states do not need to report these state payments on their 2022 tax return: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Alaska is in this group as well, but please see below for more nuanced information.

Investments in the power grid continued to pay reliability dividends for ComEd customers as the electric company delivered record reliability in 2022. Since grid improvements began in 2011, overall reliability has improved more than 80 percent.

Governor JB Pritzker today announced the reopening of a homeownership program designed to help working-class families and underrepresented communities of color throughout the state of Illinois

In recent alerts from the Illinois CPA Society, it has come to our attention that the United States Post Office (USPO) has refused to pick up or deliver IDOR 1040-ES (Estimated Individual Payments) to the address specified on the IDOR tax forms (Illinois Department of Revenue--Springfield IL 62736-0001).

Reducing smoking and vaping among staff and promoting a smoke free workplace helps protect the entire workforce from the harms of tobacco smoke and improves health, morale and team performance.

Some end-of-year preparations for small business owners

The Governor's Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) released the annual Illinois Economic and Fiscal Policy Report showing under Governor Pritzker's leadership Illinois is in its best fiscal shape in decades.

Being a small business owner means sticking to a budget. One way to cut down on expenses is by taking the marketing reigns.

Now that the groundwork for your business has been laid, it's time to consider your company's brand. Creating a strong brand for your company is integral to your success, so where do you start?

Begin your new memories with a Season Pass! Purchase a season pass and receive admission for the remainder of 2022 as well as May-Sept 2023!

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) includes a wide range of tax incentives aimed at combating the dire effects of climate change. One of the provisions receiving considerable attention from consumers is the expansion of the Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit (IRC Section 30D), now known as the Clean Vehicle Credit.

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra (ESO) and its musicians have agreed on a mutually beneficial two-year contract that lays the groundwork for sustainability and growth for the award-winning Symphony, now in its 73rd year. The agreement comes as the ESO enters its second season of new management, is actively auditioning music director candidates, and plans for greater engagement as audiences again choose to seek out live entertainment opportunities.

Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today to announce a $34.6 billion program to improve roads, bridges, transit, rail, airports, and ports over the next six years. This funding represents a robust commitment to invest in people and communities backed by the historic Rebuild Illinois capital program.

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Director John J. Kim today announced the opening of Illinois? Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate Program. The program was created under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) passed by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Pritzker in the fall of 2021. Individuals can now access and complete an application for a rebate under Illinois? EV Rebate Program at: https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/topics/ceja/Pages/Electric-Vehicle-Rebates.aspx. Applications for the first funding r

Beginning tomorrow, the Illinois Family Relief Plan will go into effect, making good on the promise by Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly to provide relief on the grocery tax, gas tax, and property taxes. The plan totals an estimated $1.83 billion in relief, including income and property tax rebates and a temporary cut in several sales taxes.

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) today announced new investments that strengthen and grow Illinois? early childhood education and care field. These investments continue advancing Illinois as a leading state in the nation for children, families, and the early childhood workforce that support them.

Governor JB Pritzker today signed the Family Bereavement Act, an amendment to the Child Bereavement Leave Act that expands leave time requirements to cover pregnancy loss, failed adoptions, unsuccessful reproductive procedures, and other diagnoses or events impacting pregnancy and fertility. SB3120 also mandates leave after the loss of family members previously not covered in the act

Governor JB Pritzker today signed legislation designed to increase access to Illinois? higher education system, close equity gaps, and improve student protections and operational effectiveness. The bills expand resources available to students and build on the administration?s efforts to expand equitable access to public universities and community colleges.

The City of Elgin is pleased to announce its participation in Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), the most comprehensive economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry ever conducted in the United States. Administered by Americans for the Arts, AEP6 will examine the economic impact of the arts and culture in Elgin and 386 additional communities representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia.