Over 500 Illinois Layoffs: Nestle, Newspaper Cut Employees

ILLINOIS — Multiple Illinois employers, including Nestle USA and the News-Gazette in Champaign, have recently issued layoff notices, warning of more than 500 job cuts across the state. The layoffs come after a "historic low" unemployment rate in August, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

Under the WARN (Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) Act, companies must notify the state when they plan mass layoffs or closures.

These are the most recent WARN notices issued Sept. 30, affecting companies in Tinley Park, Elgin, Aurora, Champaign and other cities.

• News-Gazette Media, Champaign, affecting 130 employees including members of the Printing, Publishing and Media Workers Sector of the Communication Workers of America, Champaign-Urbana Typographical Union Local 444. The job cuts are the result of the paper being sold, according to the WARN notice. The News-Gazette in August reported it had been purchased by Community Media Group, headquartered in downstate West Frankfort. First layoff date is Oct. 31, with layoffs to be completed by Nov. 13.
• Chicago Powdered Metal Products Company, Schiller Park, permanent closing affecting 86 employees. First layoff date was Aug. 19.
• Transform KM Stores of IL LLC, Bridgeview, permanent closing affecting 91 employees. First layoff date is Dec. 15.
• Dedicated Logistics Inc., Aurora, permanent closing due to lost contract affecting 61 employees. First layoff date is Oct. 13.
• Advance Engineering Corporation, Elgin, permanent closing due to relocation affecting 114 employees. First layoff date is Nov. 4, with layoffs to be completed by Dec. 31.
• Nestle USA, Tinley Park, permanent closing due to reorganization affecting 37 employees. First layoff date is Nov. 1, with layoffs to be completed by Dec. 31.