Media Contact: Karley Sweet | 312.553.4658 | ksweet@WorldBusinessChicago.com
News
Preliminary December unemployment rates for Chicago and other Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs).
Preliminary December unemployment rates for Chicago and other Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs).
The MEI increased to +0.09 in December from -0.13 in November, indicating a increased pace of growth; economic activity levels exceeded historical trend values for the first time in five months.
The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index (CFMMI), an index of manufacturing output based on hours worked in major industries in the Midwest region (IL, IN, IA, MI, WI), increased in December.
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI), a measure of how the national economy is faring relative to its historical trend rate, increased to +0.17 in December, and the 3-month moving average (MA3) increased to -0.08.
Data from the Illinois Association of Realtors on residential sales volume and median prices in the City of Chicago, surrounding 9-county area, and state of Illinois.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released December 2011 figures for Real Earnings, an indicator that reflects components of consumers’ buying power.
December 2011 Consumer Price Index figures (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Figures for the Midwest region from the Job Openings & Labor Turnover Survey, which tracks job openings, hires, and separations (quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations including retirements).
Preliminary November unemployment rates for Chicago and other Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs).
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and ComEd President and COO Anne Pramaggiore announced key elements of a $1.1 billion electric system infrastructure investment plan that would modernize ComEd’s electric system and create more than 2,400 jobs for Chicago.
The MEI increased from -0.30 in October to -0.15 in November, indicating a increased pace of growth; economic activity levels moved closer to historical trend values in the largest over-the-month improvement in the index since March of this year.
World Business Chicago recently worked with DeVry Inc. to bring its online support office downtown, employing up to 1,000 people over the next three years.
The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index (CFMMI), an index of manufacturing output based on hours worked in major industries in the Midwest region (IL, IN, IA, MI, WI), decreased in November.
Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller Home Price Index, which tracks the prices of existing single-family homes, showed a month-over-month increase in 1 of 20 metro areas.
This month, Sara Lee Corporation announced that it would move its North American headquarters for its meats company to downtown Chicago, another example of the strong trend of companies choosing to move their offices from the suburbs to the city. In addition to Sara Lee, many other companies have grown in Chicago this quarter.
The first true branding effort highlighting the city of Chicago as a global visitor destination is aimed at significantly increasing the number of visitors to Chicago, resulting in new jobs, millions of dollars in local spending and increased tax revenues for the City.
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI), a measure of how the national economy is faring relative to its historical trend rate, decreased to -0.37 in November, and the 3-month moving average (MA3) remained level at -0.24.
World Business Chicago tracks indicators from month to month to gauge the strength of several aspects of Chicago’s regional economy, including employment in major sectors, residential and office real estate data, price and purchasing indexes, rail carloads, and auto and truck sales.
Data from the Illinois Association of Realtors on residential sales volume and median prices in the City of Chicago, surrounding 9-county area, and state of Illinois.
