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

Constitutional questions raised over digital age verification bill

Constitutional questions raised over digital age verification bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Constitutional concerns surround state legislation aimed at verifying the age of internet and social media users. Illinois...
DHS threatens to halt customs processing at airports in sanctuary cities

DHS threatens to halt customs processing at airports in sanctuary cities

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Major airports across the country could soon freeze customs processing and cancel all international flights if sanctuary cities continue bucking federal immigration enforcement operations. Department...
Illinois Quick Hits: CTE bill goes to House after clearing Senate

Illinois Quick Hits: CTE bill goes to House after clearing Senate

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Senate has passed legislation allowing high school students to take Career Technical Education classes as...
Debt confidence hits two-year low amid affordability concerns

Debt confidence hits two-year low amid affordability concerns

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Americans' confidence in the nation's finances fell to a two-year low in May as the national debt again surpassed the size of the U.S. economy,...
Candidates debate healthcare for Nevada primary

Candidates debate healthcare for Nevada primary

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Editor's note: This is part of a series previewing the congressional and statewide races in the Nevada primary election, set for June 9. The election...
ExxonMobil shareholders approve plan to redomicile to Texas

ExxonMobil shareholders approve plan to redomicile to Texas

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square ExxonMobil shareholders on Wednesday approved the board of directors’ plan to redomicile the company's legal headquarters to Texas. Shareholders also rejected a proposal made by...
U.S., Iran may be on the cusp of tentative ceasefire extension

U.S., Iran may be on the cusp of tentative ceasefire extension

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A memorandum of understanding has been reached between U.S. and Iranian negotiators, pending approval from President Donald Trump and Iranian leadership, according to reports. The...
Pritzker indicates he'll sign new insurance regulations

Pritzker indicates he’ll sign new insurance regulations

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to sign two bills headed to his desk that give the state...
Election 2026: For one of the four seats, trouble brews

Election 2026: For one of the four seats, trouble brews

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Texas hasn’t elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1988, Kentucky since 1992, Louisiana and North Carolina since 2008. Respectively, outgoing Republican Sens. John...
Treasury reveals how to sign up for Trump Accounts on new app

Treasury reveals how to sign up for Trump Accounts on new app

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the launch of the Trump Accounts app Thursday, kicking off the registration process for citizens and permanent residents...
Republicans claim fake transparency in early budget, demand better

Republicans claim fake transparency in early budget, demand better

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – At the height of state budget negotiations, Republican lawmakers have said Democrat leaders have again pulled their...
Ceasefire in question as U.S. accuses Iran of violations

Ceasefire in question as U.S. accuses Iran of violations

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The future of the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran has come into question following the second exchange of fire between the countries in less...
Supreme Court rules against prison sentence reductions

Supreme Court rules against prison sentence reductions

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in two separate cases on Thursday, ruled against convicted individuals seeking to reduce their prison sentences. The high court ruled in...
Illinois may take DOJ ‘Anti-Weaponization’ payouts from residents

Illinois may take DOJ ‘Anti-Weaponization’ payouts from residents

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker wants to create a law that would allow the state to take any funds...
Supreme Court rules in favor of racially biased jury claims

Supreme Court rules in favor of racially biased jury claims

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision on Thursday, ruled in favor of an Black man convicted of capital murder in Mississippi, who said...