Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker talks Bears stadium with NFL commissioner

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell has reiterated that the Chicago Bears are only considering Arlington Heights or Hammond, Indiana for a new stadium site.

The governor said he talked with Goodell, adding that he’s hopeful a stadium bill will go from the Illinois Senate to the House and then get to his desk.

Pritzker also said he hopes people who want to tank the bill are not successful.

ELECTRONICS COMPANY TO EXPAND IN CENTRALIA

Intermountain Electronics has announced it will invest more than $15 million to expand operations in Centralia, supported by Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois tax credits.

A statement from Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office said the expansion will create 60 new full-time jobs.

Republican state Rep. Blaine Wilhour said the state of Illinois should always support business and job growth, especially in rural areas.

GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES $2.6 MILLION FOR TRUCK DRIVER SCHOOL

State taxpayers will be providing $2.6 million to expand Lincoln Land Community College’s truck driver training program.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the new investments at Lincoln Land’s Litchfield campus Wednesday.

PRITZKER SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER ON AGING

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed an executive order to establish the EngAging Illinois Multisector Plan for Aging Commission.

Pritzker said the commission will implement the state’s ten-year blueprint to address the needs of older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers.

ILLINOIS DCEO SUPPORTS RETAIL SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

The Illinois Retail Merchants Association has announced the winners of the inaugural Illinois Retail Challenge Scholarship Competition.

The first-place teams from East Leyden High School in Franklin Park and Moline High School in Moline won $60,000 each per team for developing solutions to issues impacting the retail sector.

The scholarship competition was supported by grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

NFCI INDEX HOLDS STEADY

The National Financial Conditions Index was unchanged at –0.52 in the week ending May 15, suggesting steady financial conditions.

The index from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago provides weekly updates on U.S. financial conditions in money markets, debt and equity markets, and the traditional and “shadow” banking systems.