As the year comes to a close, more than 1,500 Illinois workers may also see their jobs coming to a close as a result of company closings and layoffs.
Under the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), employers with 75 or more full-time workers must notify the state 60 days in advance if they plan to layoff employees or shut down operations.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Local Workforce Investment Areas publish these statistics through monthly WARN reports, which include the number of employees affected, the notification date, as well as when planned layoffs are expected to begin and end. In addition, employers must disclose the type of event -- i.e., whether the business is closing, conducting layoffs or mass layoffs, and if such events are permanent or temporary.
Mass layoffs are distinguished from regular layoffs if:
- 25 or more full-time employees are laid off if they constitute 33 percent or more of the full-time employees at the site, or
- 250 or more full-time employees.
1. Banco Popular North America
The North American headquarters and retail arm of Puerto Rico's largest bank, Popular Inc., announced more than 200 employees will be laid off beginning Dec. 31, 2014. Earlier this year, the company sold its branches to First Midwest Bancorp, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Location: Rosemont
Layoffs: 233
2. Continental Furniture
The Chicago-based furniture store is expected to begin a mass layoff on Jan. 20, 2015 through Feb. 14, 2015.
Location: Chicago
Layoffs: 63
3. GE Zenith Controls
More than 100 positions will be cut at the switchgear and switchboard apparatus manufacturing company beginning Jan. 30, 2015 through June 30, 2015.
Location: Chicago
Layoffs: 139
4. Rosewood Restaurant & Banquets
Rosewood Restaurant will be closing its doors on Jan. 3, 2015.
Location: Rosemont
Layoffs: 104
5. Klein Creek Golf Club
Employees at the DuPage County golf and country club will lose their jobs on Jan. 1, 2015.
Location: Winfield
Layoffs: 69
6. UPS
A two-year renovation of the UPS facility will affect hundreds of workers beginning Jan. 1, 2015, though a company spokesman told the Tribune employees will be offered positions at four other Chicago-area locations.
Location: Addison
Layoffs: 449
Check out Reboot Illinois to see which other Illinois companies will be letting many other employees go.
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