Illinois quick hits: Unemployment down; Rivian supplier gets tax incentives

Illinois quick hits: Unemployment down; Rivian supplier gets tax incentives

September 18, 2025/
Spread the love

By The Center Square
The Center Square

Unemployment down

The unemployment rate in Illinois has dropped to its lowest point since July 2023.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced the August rate of 4.4%, based on preliminary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Total nonfarm payrolls decreased by 13,300 last month. Compared to a year ago, nonfarm payroll increased by 5,900 jobs.

Rivian supplier gets tax incentives

With support from Illinois tax incentives, OPmobility plans to establish their first Illinois facility in Normal to assemble bumpers for Rivian’s R2.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office announced the company plans to create 81 new full-time jobs. The Rivian R2 will be available to consumers in 2026.

Bank executive sentenced

A judge has sentenced the former second-in-command of the Bank of O’Fallon to five years and three months in prison after he pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges.

Andrew P. Blassie, 70, of St. Louis, was also ordered to pay more than $2.4 million in restitution.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Supreme Court rules for U.S.-Cuban land claims

Supreme Court rules for U.S.-Cuban land claims

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 8-1 decision on Thursday, allowed U.S. companies to seek damages from property seizures by the Cuban government. Justices decided...
U.S. Supreme Court dismisses disability death penalty case

U.S. Supreme Court dismisses disability death penalty case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court dismissed a case on Thursday regarding whether a criminal defendant can use multiple IQ scores to avoid the death penalty. The...
Illinois Quick Hits: Freedom Caucus urges DOJ investigation of Illinois

Illinois Quick Hits: Freedom Caucus urges DOJ investigation of Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Freedom Caucus is calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate whether the Illinois...
Illegal border entries still at record lows, up from April 2025

Illegal border entries still at record lows, up from April 2025

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Illegal entries into the U.S. in April remained significantly lower than during the Biden administration but are slightly up from what they were in April...
Hundreds of Uber drivers demand union-permitting bill move in Springfield

Hundreds of Uber drivers demand union-permitting bill move in Springfield

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Nearly 400 drivers for platforms like Uber and Lyft appeared at the Illinois Capitol, where they urged...
U.S. troop reduction in Europe pressures NATO allies to increase their defense

U.S. troop reduction in Europe pressures NATO allies to increase their defense

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The Pentagon appears poised to reduce the number of American troops in Europe, in a further attempt to pressure NATO nations to take a more...
Summons issued to ISP, AG Cook County in FOID challenge

Summons issued to ISP, AG Cook County in FOID challenge

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Officials with the Illinois State Police, attorney general’s office and Cook County state’s attorney have been summoned...
Pritzker knocks state progressives’ ability to pass new tax measures

Pritzker knocks state progressives’ ability to pass new tax measures

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker ruled out the passage of many new tax proposals from progressive lawmakers before...
Pressure mounting on Cuban regime as Raul Castro indicted in U.S.

Pressure mounting on Cuban regime as Raul Castro indicted in U.S.

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square “We have Cuba on our minds,” President Donald Trump told reporters following the indictment of former Cuban President Raúl Castro Wednesday. The U.S. has been...
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker talks Bears stadium with NFL commissioner

Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker talks Bears stadium with NFL commissioner

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell has reiterated that the Chicago Bears are...
Election 2026: Whatley gets another breath of Trump tailwind

Election 2026: Whatley gets another breath of Trump tailwind

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Needing a lift as polls favor his opponent, Republican Michael Whatley on Tuesday got another breath of tailwind from the White House. Candidates endorsed by...
Op-Ed: Oversight faps in federal drug program put Illinois’ independent practices at risk

Op-Ed: Oversight faps in federal drug program put Illinois’ independent practices at risk

By Dr. Priya BansalThe Center Square Community-based care is part of the fabric of the healthcare system in Illinois. As an allergist and immunologist practicing in St. Charles, I take...
Costco suit highlights gaps in $166B tariff refund process

Costco suit highlights gaps in $166B tariff refund process

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Warehouse retailer Costco Wholesale asked a federal judge to dismiss a proposed class-action lawsuit seeking consumer tariff refunds, saying the claims are premature and meritless,...
Support swells across the aisle for $580B BUILD America 250 Act

Support swells across the aisle for $580B BUILD America 250 Act

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Five-year plans for American roads, bridges, transit, rail transportation, and highway and motor carrier safety programs reaches an 18-month crescendo Thursday with a committee markup...
Revised bipartisan housing bill passes U.S. House, one step closer to becoming law

Revised bipartisan housing bill passes U.S. House, one step closer to becoming law

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. House overwhelmingly passed its revised version of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, sending the bipartisan legislation meant to address the housing...