U.S. Steel layoffs scrutinized
The Illinois Department of Labor has issued a subpoena to the U.S. Steel Corporation to investigate its compliance with the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.
The Illinois WARN Act requires employers with 75 or more full-time employees to give workers and government officials 60 days advance notice of a plant closing or mass layoff.
Layoff notices at Granite City Works in Granite City were announced earlier this week. This follows layoffs that were announced in September, although the company characterized those as temporary at the time.
ISP wants public corruption tips
In an effort to help root out public corruption in the state, the Illinois State Police Special Investigations Unit has created an online form for the public to report suspected corruption directly to ISP.
ISP created an online form where the public can provide information confidentially about suspected corruption. Examples of public corruption may include an elected official steering contracts to friends in exchange for a monetary kickback, overbilling a contractor and money laundering. The online form is for suspected public corruption allegations only.
Summer derecho a disaster
Five Illinois counties were considered disaster zones by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a result of losses caused by a storm that rolled through the state five months ago.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued the disaster declaration for Christian, Hancock, McDonough, Sangamon and Washington counties this week. All five counties were impacted by a derecho that moved through Central Illinois June 29.
Under this disaster declaration, the five counties and bordering counties will receive emergency loans from the USDA Farm Service Agency.
