(SPRINGFIELD) The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has a total enrollment this fall of more than 60,000 students for the first time in school history, with a freshmen class of 9,207. While Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville had an fall enrollment increase of 7.7 percent over last year, the increase at Illinois State University was only at 2.2 percent. Northern Illinois University reported a 4.3 percent increase with a freshman class increase of 22 percent.
(CHICAGO) U.S. Customs & Border Protection led a seizure yesterday in Chicago of at least 4.7 million illegal e-cigarette products, with an estimated retail value of $86.5 million, the largest-ever seizure of its kind. Nearly all the illegal shipments uncovered by the joint federal operation originated in China and many of the shipments contained vague and misleading product descriptions with incorrect values, an apparent attempt to evade import duties and the review of products for import safety concerns. In addition to the seizures, the operation contacted 37 importers & import entry filers regarding their actions.
(SPRINGFIELD) The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has issued its monthly Optimism Index for August, rising a half percentage point (0.5) to 100.8, which is nearly 3 points above the 52-year average of 98. The Uncertainty Index fell by 4 points to 93, but still remained well above the historical average. NFIB Illinois officials say policymakers in Illinois should avoid further tax increases and work to make it easier for companies and employers to find, recruit, and train employees in the future months and years.
(SPRINGFIELD) Despite reports of food borne illness declining in Illinois over several years, a new analysis of national CDC data by the group “Trace One” found that the state still has the third highest count in the nation. One other takeaway from the study shows that nationwide, restaurants were the primary exposure to shellfish and poultry issues.