In-depth reporting by AM 580 News
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Story category: business
WILL Connect: The Economy, Tracking New Directions for Displaced Workers
Story air date: Thursday, August 27, 2009
In central Illinois, many employers large and small have downsized or closed altogether, forcing thousands of laid-off workers to consider new options. In our latest report as part of our outreach project “WILL Connect: The Economy”, AM 580’s Jeff Bossert looks at the retraining of workers. Ingenuity and government-funded training are giving many of them a jump on a new career, or a better shot at an old one:
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business • economy • education • peopleA Workspace for Those Without Permanent Places
Story air date: Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Lots of remote employees and nomadic freelancers work without a place they can call an office. But an Urbana company is stepping in to fill the niche and get local entrepreneurs back in desk chairs in a trend known as co-working. AM 580's Marrissa Monson visited co-owners Lucy Cross and Susan Potter (left).
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business • community life • lifestyleVoters Mull Over a 1% Sales Tax for Schools
Story air date: Thursday, April 02, 2009
Voters in Champaign County will have the future of education funding in their hands when they hit the polls next Tuesday. At issue is a referendum to raise the county sales tax by a penny per dollar. The money would fund school building projects, pare down debt and potentially lower property taxes. As AM 580’s Tom Rogers reports, after one failed attempt, the referendum’s supporters are taking nothing for granted.
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- Champaign County CLASS Website
- Champaign Co. Chamber of Commerce position paper on sales tax (from November 2008)
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business • education • politics • taxationUrbana's Mayoral Candidates Lay Out Economic Plans
Story air date: Friday, March 27, 2009
Economic development was a key plank in Laurel Prussing’s platform when she first ran for mayor of Urbana. Prussing narrowly defeated Tod Sattherthwaite with the argument that the incumbent hadn’t done enough to attract business to the city. Now Prussing faces three challengers who each say they could do a better job, in spite of a recession. AM 580’s Jim Meadows reports.
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- Campaign website for Rex Bradfield
- Campaign website for Durl Kruse
- Campaign website for Rob McColley
- Campaign website for Laurel Prussing
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business • economy • government • Urbana • politicsIllinois Wines Make Headway
Story air date: Monday, February 09, 2009
Illinois has recently seen a surge of wine production. But is it on par with legendary wine regions elsewhere? AM 580 intern Whitney Wyckoff traveled to Vermilion County, where a part of the prairie has become a vineyard.
