Deere’s move arrives just weeks after rural retailer Tractor Supply ended an array of its corporate diversity and climate efforts. While the companies’ responses differed, both arrive amid a wider backdrop of conservative backlash that has been targeting companies across industries.
A year-long campaign to promote biomanufacturing in central Illinois has paid off for the University of Illinois and its partners. The U-S Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration has awarded an approximately $51 million grant to a consortium led by the University of Illinois, to establish the Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing (or iFAB) tech hub in Champaign, Piatt and Macon Counties.
In its most recent quarter, Deere reported a more than 15% decline in revenue, the third straight quarter of year-over-year sales declines. Deere shares slipped 1.6% in morning trading and are down about 7.5% this year.
Economic development package also expands film, EV industry tax breaks.
It brings in over $1 billion in new taxes, but proponents say the taxes don’t severely hit individual pocketbooks. There’s a $200 million increase on sports betting operations and more than half a billion by limiting annual claims on business operating loss.
Cunningham Township, which serves the same area as the city of Urbana, spent $100,000 over budget this fiscal year in its quest to help all those needing food and housing help.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the state budget on Wednesday that eliminates the statewide, 1 percent grocery tax. Because the tax was a source of revenue for local governments, the city of Champaign is looking for ways to offset a loss of about $2.7 million per year.
Illinois’ largest-ever spending plan increases education, human services, infrastructure funding.
The 2025 spending plan to which the Illinois House gave final legislative approval last week includes funding for once again tying the standard exemption to inflation, meaning the exemption that individuals can claim for tax year 2024 will grow from $2,425 to $2,775.
The University of Illinois Flash Index to the state’s economy rose for the third time in as many months, reaching 103.0 in April. The index based on state tax receipts had dropped to 102.5 in January, but has been rising steadily since then. Any Flash Index reading above 100 indicates growth in the Illinois economy.
The public is invited to remember the Urbana native and STEM educator on Sunday, April 14 from 3 to 7 p-m at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.
One of Vermilion County’s largest employers is closing down and laying off its workforce. Production has ceased at the Quaker Oats plant in Danville, leaving approximately 510 employees without work. Chicago-based Quaker Oats, a unit of Pepsico since 2001, opened the plant in 1969. In recent years, the Danville plant manufactured Quaker Oats granola bars,…
People have until March 27 to provide input on the proposed changes to the post office on Mattis Avenue.
Proposed budget includes another $24 million for manufacturing training academies.
Willard Airport is in the process of raising money to attract an airline that will provide leisure-class passenger service between Champaign-Urbana and tourist destination spots such as Florida.