June 07--In May, Illinois employers warned of more than 1,300 layoffs, many of them resulting from lost contracts.
Aramark Educational Services reported 297 layoffs due to the loss of a food service contract at the University of Chicago, according to a monthly report released Monday by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
The university, which had used Aramark for nearly three decades, announced last month that it was switching providers to Bon Appetit, which is expected to hire most of the Aramark workers.
Northstar Aerospace in Bedford Park listed 226 workers as affected by the loss of a contract, with layoffs beginning June 30. The company could not immediately be reached for comment.
Manufacturing jobs also were hard-hit.
WestRock, which manufactures corrugated packaging and displays at a plant in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood, was listed as cutting 173 jobs, though that number may be off. Spokesman Chris Augustine said the Norcross, Ga.-based company is cutting 135 of the 171 positions at the Chicago plant as it ceases production in mid-July "due to market conditions."
The plant, which opened in 1958 and has been at its current location since 1968, will remain open as a sales, design and service center, Augustine said.
Laird Technologies, which is based in London, warned of 53 layoffs starting July 1 at its Schaumburg manufacturing plant, where, according to its website, it makes antennas.
Pony Tools, which makes clamping tools for woodworkers in Chicago's West Town neighborhood, reported 61 layoffs that began May 19.
Also reporting layoffs were Naperville-based Centrad Healthcare, which listed 162 workers affected by a lost contract, and Orland Park-based Positive Connections, a school and employee bus transportation company that listed 77 layoffs due to a lost contract.
Sears also reported it will cut 57 jobs Aug. 7 when it closes its 90-year-old store in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood.
The Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act requires employers with 75 or more full-time employees to give 60 days advance notice of a plant closing or mass layoff, which is defined as at least a third of its workforce, or at least 250 workers for a company of any size.
aelejalderuiz@tribpub.com
