How much does the average American worker make?

Jul 24, 2013
Who earns median wage and what kind of education, housing, healthcare and retirement savings can they afford?

Texas explosion raises concerns for other towns eying fertilizer plants

Apr 18, 2013
Small communities are fighting to get fertilizer factories to locate nearby. After the West, Texas, explosion, some people who live near proposed plants are reconsidering the risk.
Smoke rises in the distance about half a mile from the West Fertilizer Company April 18, 2013 in West, Texas. A massive explosion at the fertilizer company injured more than 100 people and left damaged buildings for blocks in every direction.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The smell of prosperity or illness?

Jun 29, 2012
The residents of Roxana, Ill. debate if the oil refineries in and around their town represent jobs and money, cancer or something else.

New highway may leave Illinois homeowners in the dust

May 10, 2012
Lawmakers in Illinois are poised to take up a bill to hasten construction on a new expressway. But to get the land for the highway, lawmakers may use a controversial method known as quick-take power.

Down on the farm, the economy is up

Mar 30, 2012
But Illinois farmers give little credit to the political party in power.

In Illinois, voters hope election results will boost economy

Mar 21, 2012
Workers in Rockford, Ill., are divided on how much the auto bailout helped the local economy. Many hope yesterday's primary election might be the first step in helping factory areas in the state fully recover.

The economic lives of two blue-collar voters

Mar 20, 2012
They differ on politics, but both see college as a way to help their kids do better than they have.

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