CLTV Local News: Economy Archives

Does Anybody Work Here?

Is it just me, or is it hard to find a sales associate in a store lately?
Most workplaces are operating with skeleton crews these days. The nation's biggest retailers are no exception.

The other day, I wandered around a major department store for about ten minutes before I could find an employee to help me. That's because some sections of the store (women's accessories-- for example) had NO ONE working. A manager told me the store can't afford to hire right now.
While at another department store, I went to THREE check-out counters to pay. No sales associates at any of them.
The third store I walked into was clothing store you'll find in just about any mall in America. I purchased a birthday present and asked the sales clerk for a gift box. She told me the company is trying to save and doesn't do gift boxes anymore.

Isn't there a way to save without sacrificing service?

Posted by Judy Wang on June 21, 2009 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

What Would You Do to Save Your Job?

Today could turn out to be pink slip Friday for more than 1,000 city workers.

Barring a last-minute deal with labor unions, Mayor Daley says the layoff notices will go out to workers in every city department.

Continue reading "What Would You Do to Save Your Job?" »

Posted by Regina Waldroup on June 12, 2009 1:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Want To Make $100,000 Per Year?

Three days a week, I talk with WGN Radio's Garry Meier about what's going on around Chicagoland.

Today, we were talking about the State of Illinois' multi-billion dollar budget deficit. Some estimates put it at $11.5 Billion.

That's $11,500,000,000.00.

A lot of zeros. A LOT of zeros.

Governor Pat Quinn was at the Chicago Food Depository Monday, trying his best to drum up support for a income tax increase.

Garry and I were talking about that. A tax increase in the middle of a horrible recession. Not what many people like to hear.

I said to Garry, in regards to employees of the State of Illinois, that "they make $90,000...$100,000 a year."

I missed a word in that sentence. I meant to say "some" make that much.

Continue reading "Want To Make $100,000 Per Year?" »

Posted by Sean Lewis on June 8, 2009 8:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Cheap Gas = Road Trip

The summer travel season is here, and thousands of Chicagoans are packing up and hitting the road for the long holiday weekend.

AAA is predicting that 32.4 million travelers will take a road trip this Memorial Day.

That's a slight increase from last year and gas prices are a big reason.

Continue reading "Cheap Gas = Road Trip" »

Posted by Regina Waldroup on May 22, 2009 1:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Problem With Voting Present

The Cook County Board tested embattled President Todd Stroger’s veto power today.

Commissioners supporting a rollback of a penny-on-the-dollar sales tax increase needed 14 out of 17 board members to side with them to override Stroger’s veto of a measure to withdraw the tax increase.

But they came up short.

Continue reading "The Problem With Voting Present" »

Posted by Regina Waldroup on May 19, 2009 5:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Baggage Fees Going Up Again

Air travelers could pay even more to check a bag.

United Airlines and US Airways are raising the price to check a first bag to 20 dollars. A second checked bag will cost you 30 dollars. Other carriers will likely follow suit. Travelers who pay online pay the old rate. (Fifteen dollars for bag number one and 25 dollars for bag number two.)

When airlines started charging these fees, they said it was because fuel charges were so high. Fuel prices have come down since then, but the fees stayed. Passengers are shoving everything they can into a carry-on bag to avoid the fees. Am I the only one frustrated there's no more room in the overhead compartments now? If you're one of the last passengers to board, you'll find no more room and end up checking your bag anyway.

Isn't there a better way?

Posted by Judy Wang on May 14, 2009 3:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

What Would You do to Save Your Job?

The city of Chicago is in the midst of a major cash flow crisis.

Facing a budget shortfall projected at $300 million, Mayor Richard Daley wants thousands of non-union city workers to take as many as 17 unpaid days off before year’s end.

Continue reading "What Would You do to Save Your Job?" »

Posted by Regina Waldroup on May 13, 2009 5:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Making Ends Meet: Hire a Lobbyist

Many cities are laying off workers and forcing others to take furlough days. They're also trying another way to make ends meet-- hiring a Washington lobbyist.

U.S. Senate records show cities and counties nationwide signed up with lobbying firms during the first three months of this year. They're hoping the lobbyist can get them a bigger piece of Obama's economic stimulus pie. Deer Park-- a northwest suburb with a population of just 3200-- hired a lobbying firm to help it get money for road and drainage projects.

For cash-strapped municipalities, worth the risk?
Check on your community.

http://soprweb.senate.gov/index.cfm?event=selectfields

Posted by Judy Wang on May 3, 2009 10:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Have Pistachios at Home? Don't Eat Them

If you have a bag of pistachios or any product containing pistachios in your home don't eat them.

The Food and Drug Administration is warning people not to eat foods containing pistachios while they figure out the source of a possible Salmonella contamination. One big California-based producer - Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella - is voluntarily recalling more than 2 million pounds of the nuts. California is the second-largest producer of pistachios in the world.

Continue reading "Have Pistachios at Home? Don't Eat Them" »

Posted by Regina Waldroup on March 31, 2009 5:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

More AIG Bonuses?

Is AIG telling the whole story?

Connecticut's Attorney General says documents provided by the insurance giant show it paid-out 218 million dollars in executive bonuses last weekend. That's 53 million more than AIG previously reported!

One taxpayer told me this week "it's a total, total, freaking travesty."
Another said "it's our money, and they're stealing from us."
The House took action.
Next week, the Senate could also take a swipe at these kinds of bonuses.

The new figure may just add more fuel to the fire.

Posted by Judy Wang on March 21, 2009 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Checklist: Surviving Job Loss

Panic.

It may be the first reaction to losing your job.

However, it's how well you've prepared for it that can make that panic crippling or temporary.

The Chicago Tribune has set up a Recession Survivial Guide with many articles to help all of us avoid the pitfalls of job loss and financial mistakes that we could easily make.

Here are some tips that top the list:

Continue reading "Checklist: Surviving Job Loss" »

Posted by Sean Lewis on March 10, 2009 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Where Do We Go From Here?

I’ve been trying my best not to get down about the state of the economy. But it’s reeeaaalllly hard!!!

It seems, every minute there’s more bad news on the economic front.

For example, Circuit City closed yesterday, leaving 34,000 people out of a job. The auditors for General Motors have raised serious doubts about the automaker’s ability to keep operating. And the biggest of them all, employment is at 8.1%.

Continue reading "Where Do We Go From Here?" »

Posted by Tonya Francisco on March 9, 2009 8:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)