Illinois Business Journal Illinois Business Journal
.
. . . . .

Number, quality of new Illinois homes up in 2004
By KERRY L. SMITH

   Illinois and Missouri home builders agree on two key facts: 2004 was a blockbuster year for new home starts in Southwestern Illinois, and the average price range of the new homes being built here has risen significantly in the past year.
   According to the Home Builders Association of Greater Southwest Illinois and St. Louis-based Market Graphics, the firm that generates the numbers, municipalities in St. Clair County issued a record number of permits during the first nine months of this year.
   A total of 25 percent more residential building permits were issued in O'Fallon during the first three quarters of 2004 as compared to the same period in 2003. In Swansea, the number of permits issued during that same [continue]

.

 Business and education team up
 to encourage kids to Finish First

.
. By ALAN J. ORTBALS

Finish First    Three out of four state prison inmates did not earn a high school diploma.
   Adults in Illinois without a high school diploma are nearly four times more likely to be poor.
   People living in poverty are at a much higher risk for poor health because of no health insurance, living in substandard housing and teen pregnancy and infant mortality.
   According to Vicki Stewart, president and chief executive officer of Vermilion Advantage, these are some of the realities that spawned a program called Finish First administered by the Vermilion Advantage in Danville, Ill.
   Vermilion Advantage is a nonprofit organization that was born in July of 2002 as Vermilion County's economic development, chamber and workforce development offices all [continue]
 

 .
.

Illinois retailers and food service workers are the ones most likely to benefit from an increase in the state's minimum wage to $6.50 going into effect Jan. 1.

Illinois' minimum wage increases to $6.50, surpasses federal minimum by $1.35
By KERRY L. SMITH

   As Illinois employers watch the state's minimum wage rise to $6.50 per hour on Jan. 1, labor analysts say hirers who will most likely feel the impact are those in the retail and food service sectors.
   On Jan. 1, the second phase of a two-phase wage increase will take effect, raising Illinois' minimum wage by a total of $1.35. On Jan. 1, 2003 under the provisions of Senate Bill 600, the amount increased 35 cents [continue]