More than 1,500 workers in Illinois will soon be out of work as a result of layoffs and company closings.Under the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), employers with 75 or more full-time workers must notify the state 60 days in advance if they plan to layoff employees or shut down operations.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Local Workforce Investment Areas publish these statistics through monthly WARN reports, which include the number of employees affected, the notification date, as well as when planned layoffs are expected to begin and end. In addition, employers must disclose the type of event — i.e., whether the business is closing, conducting layoffs or mass layoffs, and if such events are permanent or temporary.
Mass layoffs are distinguished from regular layoffs if:
- 25 or more full-time employees are laid off if they constitute 33 percent or more of the full-time employees at the site, or
- 250 or more full-time employees.
These 12 Illinois businesses are planning to terminate positions of 1,580 workers in the coming months, according to the November WARN report.
1. Banco Popular North America
The North American headquarters and retail arm of Puerto Rico’s largest bank, Popular Inc., announced more than 200 employees will be laid off beginning Dec. 31, 2014. Earlier this year, the company sold its branches to First Midwest Bancorp, according to the Chicago Tribune.
- Location: Rosemont
- Layoffs: 233
2. Continental Furniture
The Chicago-based furniture store is expected to begin a mass layoff on Jan. 20, 2015 through Feb. 14, 2015.
- Location: Chicago
- Layoffs: 63
3. GE Zenith Controls
More than 100 positions will be cut at the switchgear and switchboard apparatus manufacturing company beginning Jan. 30, 2015 through June 30, 2015.
- Location: Chicago
- Layoffs: 139
4. Rosewood Restaurant & Banquets
Rosewood Restaurant will be closing its doors on Jan. 3, 2015.
- Location: Rosemont
- Layoffs: 104
5. Klein Creek Golf Club
Employees at the DuPage County golf and country club will lose their jobs on Jan. 1, 2015.
- Location: Winfield
- Layoffs: 69
6. UPS
A two-year renovation of the UPS facility will affect hundreds of workers beginning Jan. 1, 2015, though a company spokesman told the Tribune employees will be offered positions at four other Chicago-area locations.
- Location: Addison
- Layoffs: 449
7. Royal Fox County Club
Layoffs at the Midwest region affiliate of the USA Junior National Team golf program will begin Jan. 1 of next year.
- Location: St. Charles
- Layoffs: 81
8. Royal Hawk Country Club
Layoffs to begin Jan. 1, 2015.
- Location: St. Charles
- Layoffs: 53
9. The Grove Country Club
Layoffs to begin Jan. 1, 2015.
- Location: Long Grove
- Layoffs: 85
10. Sealy Mattress Company
More than 100 positions will be terminated at the closing manufacturing plant in Kane County. Layoffs are scheduled to start on Jan. 17, 2015 and end March 31, 2015.
- Location: Batavia
- Layoffs: 174
11. Benedictine University
The university did not provide the number of employees who will be affected at its Springfield campus on Dec. 31, 2014.
12. Ceannate Corporation
Ceannate Corp. will shut down one of its collection agencies on Feb. 1, 2015.
- Location: Rockford
- Layoffs: 130
Throughout the governor’s race, Gov. Pat Quinn pointed to the declining unemployment rate as proof that Illinois was making comeback. But October’s jobless report marked the first time in seven months more jobs were lost than created — a net loss of 2,000. While most of the damage occurred in government, private-sector hiring slowed considerably, posting a gain of just 900 payroll positions. On top of last month’s disappointing unemployment report, the number of Illinois layoffs announced in November is a worrisome sign for an already fragile job market.
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Kevin Hoffman is a Reboot Illinois staff writer who graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in journalism, political science and international studies. He believes keeping citizens informed and politicians in check is the best way to improve Illinois and bring about common sense reform. Follow us on Facebook.