Dump It: Job Cuts in Illinois

- Bad news for Illinois: It looks like J.C.Penney's and Sears are cutting jobs in the state, it has been announced by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Thursday. Just days after Caterpillar's CEO and Gov. Quinn spoke of cooperation in the business climate, this cannot be good news for those of us who live and work in Illinois.
That's not all, the Chicago Tribune is reporting Gendex Dental Systems is closing a manufacturing facility in Des Plaines, eliminating 75 jobs; Packaging maker Temple-Inland, closing a plant in Northlake, eliminating 83 jobs and Ivex Packaging Paper LLC, closing a paper mill in Joliet, eliminating 78 jobs.
Meanwhile, when the Intenet tax was signed Amazon and Overstock both said, no way, we are out of here. Just a sidebar here: Sears cheered the Internet tax move but still announced cuts today. J.C. Penney plans on cutting 139 jobs and Sears, 78. In March, Jewel-Osco trimmed some 56 people after cutting 120 the year before.
Seems like the "threat" from Caterpillar was closer to the real deal than they made it out to be. Stay tuned. It may also be time to extend those tax breaks so more movies will be filmed here. Let's be thankful "Superman" decided to make a stop here, even though the Batmobile will drive away.
- If the government shuts down, I want Congress and the president to forgo their paychecks, too. Come to think of it, I have cut back, downsized and changed my habits over the last five years. It's their turn, now.
- We may use ground troops in Libya. No kidding! Marines have already been sent.
- The Grammy folk have FINALLY decided to streamline a bit with their awards.Come to think of it, we need more award shows, right? No way. I still prefer the Big Four - - Oscars, Emmys, Tonys and Grammys. Many others are fine, but ...no but, let's move on...
- Media and pundits on the wrong side of another issue - - again! Many pundits were pissed off about the fact that so many GOP folk were hopping in the presidential race. Turns out, none have officially done that (Ron Paul is close). One person has, the president. There is nothing wrong with that as long as it legal to do so.
- I'm not against wind energy (I want all forms used) but how many windmills does it take to power a community versus, say, a coal or nuclear plant? Do we need ten thousand wind mills versus one plant?
WEEKEND BO
- "Arthur 2011"
- "Hanna"
- "Soul Surfer"
- "Your Highness"
Source: Box Office Mojo
Notes: I said it earlier and I will repeat myself, no matter how much it hurts. This is what we should do if we go to "Arthur 2011" this weekend. Do not try to compare it to the version we loved with Dudley Moore. How easy will that be? Yes, that hurt. Speaking of hurt, it's about time to go back in time and make a pot movie. What do you think, "Your Highness"? I know, you do not care, dude. "Soul Surfer" with Katy Perry's rousing anthem "Firework" should please many with that feel-good style of triumph, tragedy and then back up again. As for "Hanna" where is the other H and Her Sisters? A wonderful documentary in "American: The Bill Hicks Story" is out, and do not forget "Thank You" and "To Die Like A Man." What? You will forget those last two.
- Did I hear this right? When the president was asked in a Town Hall about the rise in gas prices, he noted the person should think of a trade-in. Wow. Oh yeah, he remembers how to pump gas. Last I heard the presidential limo does not have to comply with the new green rules they want to shove on all of us.
- It helps to follow the money on both sides when complaining about funding, etc. No, make that all sides.
- Dave Matthews Bands is set for as three day fest in Chicago. Oh, all that trash and fecal matter.
Close it: Tina Fey quipped that her Sarah Palin impression may have hurt "30 Rock." Not really, the ratings were never good. And the show was a nice insider's look at show business, so that audience was HUGE. Yes, those in the business loved it buts I've always said "It's a show that has more awards and nominations than it does viewers."