Western Illinois offers a proven, productive workforce to benefit any company location.

In 2003, Paragon Decision Resources, Inc. and the Center for Governmental Studies at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Il. conducted an analysis of workforce characteristics in Western Illinois, including detailed characteristics of primary employment centers located in Galesburg, Macomb and Quincy. The study utilized both resident surveys and employer interviews to identify the potential available workforce for the region. The study stated that the potential available workforce includes those who are currently unemployed and actively seeking employment, those who are currently underemployed or employed but interested in a different or additional job. and re-entering retirees under the age of 65. The study concluded that based on the three classifications, the region has a significant labor pool for potential businesses to utilized. To review a copy of the study, click on Western Illinois Market Analysis Report. This study is being updated. The new report will be available October 2007.

The Western Illinois region contains a diverse economic base of employment and there is impressive worker potential within a reasonable commute of the major employment hubs.

The wages and salaries reported in the study are competitive, reflecting a lower cost of living. Over 25% of currently employed respondents reported hourly wages less than $10.00, and nearly 48% reported hourly wages of less than $15.00.


Employer Quotes from Western Illinois Commuter Study, 2002-03:

• Basic skills of applicants are much better than in other parts of the country.

• There are people here who want jobs, there are good training programs, good people and good skills.
  

• Turnover is low, abscenteeism is low and general quality of employees is excellent.
  
  
  LWIA 14 www.wiworkforce.com
  LWIA 16 www.unitedworkforce16.com
  LWIA 20 www.iect.org