An Illinois-based candy manufacturer is bringing a sweet deal to the city of DeKalb. The Ferrara Candy Company today marked the opening of the company’s latest facility in the state of Illinois.

Ferrara’s new distribution center expands upon the Chicago-based company’s investments in Illinois and reflects the company’s long history in the state. The new complex in the Chicago West Business Park will occupy 1.6 million square feet, create an estimated 500 local jobs and constitutes a $100 million investment in the DeKalb area.

A new report shows that Illinois remains one of the best states for big-name companies to set up shop.

The 2021 ranking of Fortune 500 companies includes 38 companies with their headquarters located in Illinois. With 38 of the nation’s top companies calling Illinois home, the state has more Fortune 500 companies that any other state in the Midwest. This number is the highest number of Fortune 500 companies in Illinois since 2001.

Several of Illinois’ companies that rank in this top tier include State Farm Insurance, Boeing, Kraft Heinz, and McDonalds. Illinois’ highest ranked company is Walgreens Boots Alliance which is ranked 16th. Companies are ranked based on revenue brought in over the last year.

The full 2021 report of Illinois based Fortune 500 companies can be found on the Fortune website.

It’s no secret that cities are better when they’re efficient and less divided. One infrastructure project in Springfield that attempts to increase efficiency and bring neighborhoods together was recognized by the American Public Work Association.

On Monday, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced that the APWA had selected the Ash Street underpass in Springfield as one of its “Project of the Year.” This award recognizes achievement in management and administration of public works projects across the United States.

Illinois has long lead the way in research aimed at improving the quality of life for state residents, as the selection of the Illinois State Cancer Registry to participate in a prestigious national program demonstrates.

The ISCR is a program of the Illinois Department of Public Health that collects and provides data relating to the occurrence of cancer in Illinois. This data allows medical professionals and communities to learn how to better treat cancer in patients and to identify potential causes of cancer cases by mapping where they occur.

Illinois is making history as the first U.S. state to welcome Lion Electric Company, a Canada-based company manufacturing zero-emission vehicles. The company will construct its first-ever U.S. manufacturing facility in Joliet, which is set to produce all-electric medium and heavy-duty urban vehicles.

The 900,000-square-foot facility is expected to add a minimum of 745 clean energy jobs to the region over the next three years, with an annual production capacity of up to 20,000 all-electric buses and trucks. As schools and government operations look to decarbonize their fleets, the Lion facility will play a crucial role in meeting those demands.

Will County and the Joliet area have a rich history of manufacturing, which has brought jobs and a strong local supply chain to the region.

The new Lion manufacturing facility will be the largest dedicated production site for zero-emission buses and trucks and will play a large role in meeting the increasing demand for eco-friendly “Made-in-America” vehicles.

Illinois continues to play an important role in moving the region and the country forward in the growth of both jobs and clean energy vehicle options.