Walmart launches truck driving training program for supply-chain workers, raises driver starting pay to $95K
Walmart is raising its pay for its 12,000 truck drivers, with the starting salary for new drivers ranging between $95,000 and $110,000 a year. The move comes as the pandemic has caused severe trucker shortages across the country.
Democratic, Republican Senate bargainers reach $10B COVID agreement
President Joe Biden settled for much less in the package despite warnings that the government was running out of money to keep pace with the continued spread of COVID-19 in the U.S.
CDC drops COVID-19 health warning for cruise ship travelers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that they will leave it up to vacationers to decide whether they feel safe getting on a ship. The cruise-line industry is happy about the move.
Chicago family-owned restaurants continue to fight for COVID-19 funding
The Chicago Restaurants Coalition says that only 36 percent of restaurants that applied for COVID grants received money last summer.
Illinois hotel industry asking for federal bailout funding, warns hotels could close
Chicago's hotels had fewer guests in January than any other market in the country, and now they want state lawmakers to bail them out before it's too late.
February jobs report: US added 678,000 jobs in sign of economic health
U.S. employers added 678,000 jobs in February 2022 as omicron cases eased and unemployment fell to 3.8%.
Guaranteed income pilot program coming for suburban Cook County residents
Thousands of financially struggling residents across the suburbs will be able to apply to take part in a guaranteed income pilot program that will be funded by $42 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds.
Chicago's new debt relief program to help drivers with old tickets
Chicago will launch a new debt relief program next month to help drivers who have racked up tickets.
US inflation report: Consumer prices jumped 7.5% in past year, a 40-year high
U.S. inflation jumped 7.5% last month compared with 12 months earlier, the steepest year-over-year increase since February 1982.
Antioch business celebrating 50th anniversary, due in part to pandemic
Fischer Paper Products in Antioch celebrated its 50th birthday on Wednesday and while you might not know the company’s name, you’ve almost certainly used their products.
Illinois restaurant owners push for federal money to save their businesses, jobs
On Monday, restaurant leaders delivered letters to senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, Governor JB Pritzker, and Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
US job growth soars past expectations with 467,000 added, shaking off omicron surge
U.S. job growth blew past expectations in January, as the economy brushed off a record-breaking surge in COVID-19 cases nationwide that threatened to sideline millions of workers and kept many consumers at home.
Companies allow people to opt-out of Valentine’s Day emails
As interest in celebrating Valentine’s Day gradually declines, companies are giving consumers a chance to opt-out of those marketing emails that seem to bombard your inbox any time a holiday approaches.
Unemployment claims drop for the first time in a month
The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims fell by 30,000 to 260,000 last week, slightly less than the 265,000 analysts were expecting.
Unemployment claims climb to 286,000, the most since October
Jobless claims rose for the third straight week — by 55,000 to 286,000, highest since mid-October, the Labor Department reported Thursday.
Chicago nonprofit giving away hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID relief money
Help for Chicago small businesses is on the way, thanks to a local nonprofit.
Illinois Republican Darren Bailey pushes back against criticism regarding federal loan he received
The Chicago Tribune reports Bailey received a federal paycheck loan for his family farm for more than $231,000 back in February of last year.
