ILL-inois: Nine big companies laying off employees; Jelly Belly moving out

News of layoffs at nine Illinois companies became public today--and Jelly Belly, which has been based in the Chicago area since 1913, plans to move its operations to California. Jelly Belly became internationally-known when the only president born in Illinois, Ronald Reagan let it known that the Prairie State confections were his favorite candy.

From the Chicago Tribune:

The news of the Jelly Belly layoffs was first revealed in a monthly report filed with the state on Monday.

Employers including Jelly Belly, Kraft Foods Group Inc. and Comcast are among nine Illinois companies to give notice this month of impending layoffs affecting 738 workers.

Kraft notified the state that 56 truck drivers in Champaign will lose their jobs before October as it discontinues its private trucking fleet.

Intuit, Inc. said a support center in Arlington Heights will close, according to the filing, affecting 104 workers. Jacobson Warehouse Company Inc. in East Moline said it will close a facility, eliminating 137 workers and Comcast said it will close an office in Romeoville, a move that it expects will affect 112 workers.

Illinois' jobless rate of 7.1 percent is well above the national average.

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