A coalition of education groups are warning that Illinois’s state funding crisis could cost the state several thousand Illinois teaching jobs.

The state’s funding crisis has already put 9,800 teachers on the unemployment line.

According to CBS2Chicago.com, schools must tell employees now whether their jobs will be cut next year. Officials from the six-group coalition said they have heard from 75 percent of Illinois school districts and they plan more than 17,000 layoffs.

The coalition says it expects the total to reach 20,000 when complete information is available.

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The Illinois House unanimously approved a $50 million election-year job creation program, a measure that is expected to create thousands of Illinois jobs.

The measure would give small business owners a $2,500 tax credit for each full-time position created in the next year.

Both Gov. Pat Quinn and his Republican opponent, state Sen. Bill Brady support the plan, which is aimed at creating 20,000 jobs.

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Under a new proposed budget, hundreds of Illinois law enforcement jobs could be eliminated within the next year.

According to KMOX.com, hundreds of state troopers would lose their jobs under the proposed budget for Illinois’ new fiscal year, which begins in July.

Jonathon Monken, acting director of the state police, told an Illinois House appropriations committee Monday he cannot achieve a 14 percent budget cut through attrition alone.

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Politicians and transportation officials have announced federal funding to reduce rail congestion and create nearly 1,500 construction jobs in Illinois.

The Englewood Flyover bridge project received $133 million in economic stimulus funding.

The project will create a railroad bridge to carry the north-south Metra Rock Island District line over the east-west Norfolk Southern/Amtrak tracks at 63rd St., near the Dan Ryan Expy. Ground will be broken on the project later this year, and it will be completed by 2012, said U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Chicago), who has promoted the project as part of the Chicago Regional Environmental and Transportation Efficiency program.

The project is expected to create 1,450 jobs, improve traffic on the Metra Rock Island line and cut Amtrak and freight delays. The triple-tracked bridge will carry Metra operations over all four tracks of the Norfolk Southern, and possibly a fifth track for a high-speed intercity passenger rail connection to points east and/or south.

“The single biggest source of delays in the Midwest is right here at the Englewood crossing,” said Amtrak chair Thomas Carper, at an announcement at the project site at 63rd Street. “This project is going to fix that. That’s how important this is.”

Mark Davis is a spokesman for Union Pacific Railroad. He says the project is a result of cooperation between railroads that serve Chicago and local, state and federal government agencies. “For our industry, the faster you can move through a large terminal area like Chicago, the more productive, the more environmentally-friendly, and in turn, the more efficient you can operate your business, and that’s the key.”

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Peerless Industries, Inc., one of the largest U.S.-based manufacturers of audio/visual mounting solutions, announced today that it will move operations from two campuses in Melrose Park to a single large facility in Aurora beginning in May, a move that will create many new Illinois jobs.

According to PRNewswire.com, the relocation follows a 2009 decision by Peerless management to return all manufacturing jobs to the U.S. after four years during which 30% of the company’s products were produced in China through an exclusive strategic partnership with a local factory.

Peerless Industries is a 68-year old designer, manufacturer and distributor of A/V solutions including flat panel mounts, projector mounts, carts/stands, furniture, cables, screen cleaners and a full assortment of accessories. Peerless manufactures over 3,600 products that serve original equipment manufacturers, retailers and commercial installers in 25 vertical markets through direct salespeople and authorized distribution.

Those jobs started moving back to the U.S. late last year after Peerless finalized plans to relocate to Aurora in order to consolidate operations under one roof, upgrade to a more modern and energy-efficient facility, and provide room for physical expansion.

“We need more space, we want to merge all operations to reduce operating expenses, and we are committed to being environmentally responsible as well as returning all manufacturing to the U.S. to shorten lead times and regain complete control,” said Michael A. Campagna, President/COO of Peerless Industries. “Our new headquarters will allow us to achieve all of those objectives, keep costs low, and ensure that we continue to provide the best and most reliable mounting solutions available.”

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