In Joliet, Illinois, Jody’s Hot Dogs was not sure how it was going to survive after the shutdown of sit-down dining to reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, the owner wanted to both keep the business going and do their part to support workers who put themselves at risk to fight the pandemic, so the small restaurant started promoting a new deal called the “Feed A First Responder Program.”
Last week In Moline, Illinois-based large manufacturer John Deer announced that they have started producing protective face shields for health care workers in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. They have collaborated with the United Auto Workers (UAW), the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, and several different companies and organizations across the country to produce these face shields.
In response to a massive personal protective equipment (PPE) shortage both at the national and state level, a woman in downstate Illinois has been using her sewing skills to help fill the gap. Dusty Cox-Medina of McDonough County has sewn hundreds of masks in the past few weeks to help her local essential workers.
Cox-Medina worked as a registered nurse until a tragic back injury disabled her. Being able to help out in this midst of the pandemic helps her feel connected to her former work.
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the country is facing a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE): life-saving masks, goggles, gloves and other supplies health care workers need to keep themselves and their patients safe. To ensure the best care for Illinoisans during this time, Gov. JB Pritzker has partnered with in-state manufacturing and biotech companies to ramp up production of these supplies.
For seven years in a row, Site Selection Magazine has honored Chicago by naming the city the top metro area for corporations looking to expand and invest in the community. Last year alone, corporate investments accounted for $5 billion, by tracking 416 business expansions and relocations in 2019. Site Selection tracks all investments in communities like Chicago, such as when Uber moved to Chicago’s Old Main Post Office and brought more than 2,000 jobs to the area.
Deputy Mayor Samir Mayekar said the announcement “highlights the power of inclusive growth in Chicago, which is a priority of Mayor Lori Lightfoot. “
Additionally, Mayekar said the Chicago downtown area continues to grow and contribute to the 77 differing neighborhoods around the city. Companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield are building customer service centers, and Evanston Technology Partners is setting up shop. Meanwhile, hundreds of jobs flow into the Chicago community every year and continue to show the evolution of the city.
“When you see the types of companies that are growing, you see a balance,” Mayekar said. The recognition to the city continues to influence the decisions made by all companies that move to Chicago and invest in the people of Illinois.
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