A series of high-profile layoffs at Illinois companies have helped drive nearly 1,300 layoff notices going out in the last month.
According to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, a total of 1,296 Illinois workers have been given layoff notices in the last 30 days under provisions of the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act.
In all, more than 3,000 workers have been given layoff notices in the last 90 days under provisions of the act, with Illinois officials reminding the public that not all layoffs qualify for WARN Act notifications, since the act doesn’t cover companies below a minimum threshold of employees.
One of the highest profile layoffs occurred at Baker and Taylor LLC’s facility in Momence, located in eastern Kankakee County. A total of 318 employees were laid off at the facility effective October 6, according to Illinois officials.
The company is winding down its business operations after a proposed sale to ReaderLink was called off, resulting in the termination of more than 500 employees at the company’s different facilities.
Another 180 employees were laid off by Virgin Hotels Chicago LLC on October 3, and another 138 employees were laid off by Chartwells at DePaul University on October 1.
The number also includes plans by Capital One Financial Corporation to cut nearly 400 employees at Discover Financial Services’ Chicago headquarters. The first layoffs will occur November 17, with 366 employees being laid off, according to Payments Dive.
The cuts come as Capital One and Discover merge operations, according to officials.
Multiple Acero Charter Schools in Chicago announced layoffs in recent weeks, impacting more than 100 employees.
Here is a selection of other layoff notices given out in recent weeks.
IG Design Group Americas – Shorewood (150 employees)
Compass Group – Aurora (103 employees)
Mauser Packaging Solutions – Chicago (168 employees impacted, effective date November 21)
Brookdale Senior Living – Chicago (117 employees, effective November 17)
A full list of WARN Act layoffs can be found on the Illinois WorkNet Center’s website.