The unemployment rate fell to 8.7 percent in January, down from 9.2 percent one year ago, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. While employers reported 21,600 more jobs than one year ago, there were 27,600 fewer jobs than one month ago.   http://www.ides.illinois.gov/?item=5845&newssidebar=1

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/chi-bruce-rauner-change-agent-in-gop-field-20140306,0,4538632.story

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. will keep its headquarters in Illinois, but will move from Itasca to Rolling Meadows where it plans to add 500 jobs over five years.   http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/illinois-pledges-m-to-keep-brokerage-in-state/article_04cfb0d4-6f83-513c-b7f0-023d870c3b7b.html

The percentage of children without health insurance fell from 6 percent to 3 percent since 2008. It also found Illinois has “significantly narrowed” racial and ethnic disparities in children’s health insurance coverage. via Report shows fewer Illinois children lack health insurance, child abuse and neglect rates up – Seymour Tribune.

Had the City made a pension payment equal to the actuarially determined amount of $1.5 billion, or 32.0% of operating revenue, the City would have needed to deplete the entirety of its General Fund fund balance. http://www.civicfed.org/civic-federation/blog/moodys-downgrade-reflects-chicagos-pension-crisis-and-looming-budgetary-challe

http://weaskamerica.com/2014/03/05/the-walking-dread/

“Oberweis has more name recognition and money than does Truax. If Republicans don’t look deeper, those variables could determine this race. But with one eye on the issues that confront voters and another on Illinois’ imperiled future, the Tribune today endorses Doug Truax.”   via Blog: Hope for Illinois GOP.

http://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/illinois-transportation-officials-seek-extra-m/article_d17406ba-d480-58e1-8403-fb40b20c7e45.html

“Name’s Bond.  Junk Bond.”

How does Illinois rate among other states in cost of living?  Depends on what you measure.  We do great on energy costs but not so well if you’re measuring the cost of a college education. This interactive map is as addictive as it is informative. http://politics.rebootillinois.com/2014/03/05/editors-picks/mattdietrich/1224/1224/#.UxiAnIWhb-l

Advanced technologies have not only reduced emissions from new coal plants by over 90 percent, they also have brought about dramatic improvements in mine safety, helping the industry to reach its goal of zero fatalities in five years. http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20140305/OPINION/140309932/heres-the-real-value-of-illinois-coal