Illinois Manufacturing Industry is worth over a half trillion dollars

A study conducted by the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina found the Illinois manufacturing industry brings in over $580 billion a year and supplies 30% of jobs in Illinois. The Quad Cities feel the impact of the manufacturing industry the most with it producing $6 billion in revenue. Manufacturing jobs make up 19% of the economy in Rock Island and Henry County, and makes up 28% of the economy in Mercer County.

The manufacturing industry is the largest industry in Illinois in terms of Gross Domestic Product, as it supplies over 1.7 million jobs statewide and produces $150 billion in labor income each year. Statewide, the manufacturing industry supports 30% of jobs in Illinois. Regionally, the manufacturing industry supplies 13,050 jobs in Rock Island County, and 16,484 jobs in the Illinois Quad Cities and surrounding areas. 

“An important takeaway from this study is the sheer size of manufacturing’s economic presence in Illinois,” said research economist Joseph C. Von Nessen. “Every job created by a manufacturer spurs additional hiring and spending across multiple industries in the state.” 

Emmett Till’s impact on the world is still relevant 60 years later

Arguably the most influential, and prolific racially motivated murder in American history is that of 14-year-old Chicago native Emmett Till. On Aug. 28, 1955, Till was brutally kidnapped, tortured and murdered  to death in Money, Mississippi for allegedly harassing and whistling at a white woman by the name of Carolyn Bryant while visiting family on vacation. Several relatives of Bryant’s including her husband Roy Bryant and her brother-in-law J.W. Milam snatched Till away from his family’s home leading to events that would garner the Civil Rights Movement international attention. His mother Mamie Till-Mobley, fought diligently to ensure that the world knew what was done to her son, shocking the entire nation by having an open casket funeral. Till’s body was so badly beaten and mangled that is was hardily recognizable, shedding light on the rising racial injustice blacks faced in the south. Her heroic efforts forced America to confront racial brutality head on.

Over 60 years later, Till’s death is still generating national attention. In June 2022, the official arrest warrant for Carolyn Bryant was found in a Leflore County basement regarding her involvement with Till’s death. Ultimately the grand jury decided not to prosecute her, shining more light on how this tragedy rocked the entire nation and continues to years later. But Till’s legacy is not remembered in vein thanks to his hometown of Chicago.

Chicago is making sure Emmett and Mamie Till’s legacy is preserved and memorialized by restoring their home as a part of African American history. In July 2022, the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund announced that the house will receive a share of $3 million in grants being distributed to 33 sites and organizations nationwide that have impacted African American culture. This coincides with the Senate passing a bill to award Congressional Gold Medals posthumously to both Emmett & Mamie Till-Mobley earlier this year.

With the 67^th anniversary of his death occurring Aug. 28, we honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Emmett Louis Till.

Celebrate National Dog Day

Aug. 26 is National Dog Day! Be sure to give your four-legged furry friend some extra love today.

Colleen Paige, a pet and family lifestyle advocate established National Dog Day in 2004. This day is recognized to celebrate dogs of all breeds around the world as well as to honor dogs that keep us safe and bring us comfort. Another important aspect of this day is to bring awareness of how many dogs are currently in shelters. With increasing numbers of pups present in shelters, it is essential for individuals to consider adopting to allow these animals a safe, loving home and to make room for dogs that need to be taken into rescue centers.

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1908 Springfield Race Riot could soon receive greater national recognition

In 1908, Springfield encountered its biggest racially motivated riot changing the landscape of the town forever. More than 100 years later, this historic event is gaining national recognition. The National Park Service is currently conducting a "special resource study" to determine whether the 1908 Springfield Race Riot site meets the criteria to be included in the national park system. Many are not aware that this particular Race Riot is what sparked the NAACP to be founded a year later in 1909, transcending African American heritage forever.

On Aug. 14, 1908, a group of white individuals marched to the Springfield police department with the intent on lynching two incarcerated Black men by the names of George Richardson and Joe James. Upon the mob discovering that the men were taken to another city for protection, chaos erupted leading to the lynching of Scott Burton and William Dunegon. Black-owned businesses and homes were robbed of over $150,000 in property during the riot, as the white mob invaded the African American neighborhoods in hopes of causing more destruction and chaos. Many homes were burned to the ground as a result of racial inequality and injustice. But now the city of Springfield could be remembered for memorializing an event that changed the course of history.

In February 2020, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin introduced The 1908 Springfield Race Riot National Monument Act, calling for the Race Riot to be a national monument managed by the U.S. National Park Service. In 2022, this measure gained even more national attention. All of the efforts and contributions from the NAACP, government officials and local organizations are what led to NPS conducting the “special resource study.”

On Aug. 10, the NPS hosted a meeting at the Springfield NAACP office explaining the process of becoming nationally recognized, inviting the general public for commentary. Expressing their support to finally get the Race Riot national recognition, members of the community are excited to see forgotten Springfield history preserved and recognized at the highest level.

Public comments are being accepted online now through Sept. 3 to determine whether the Springfield Race Riot of 1908 site located at Madison & 10^th Street will be preserved as a national park unit. To provide an online comment, click here.