David Mercer

Read the latest stories and analysis from David Mercer.

Illinois unemployment falls again, to 6.6 percent

David Mercer · October 17, 2014 9:15 pm

One town has its hand in 1000s of pumpkin pies

David Mercer · October 4, 2014 7:49 pm

Steve Salaita, a professor who lost a job offer from the University of Illinois over dozens of profane Twitter messages that critics deemed anti-Semitic, speaks to students and reporters during a news conference at the University of Illinois campus Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, in Champaign Ill. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

U. of Illinois trustees won’t hire professor

David Mercer · September 11, 2014 9:44 pm

Steve Salaita, a professor who lost a job offer from the University of Illinois over dozens of profane Twitter messages that critics deemed anti-Semitic, speaks to students and reporters during a news conference at the University of Illinois campus Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, in Champaign Ill. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

Professor who lost U of I job offer wants position

David Mercer · September 9, 2014 11:17 pm

EPA OKs FutureGen plan for CO2 storage

David Mercer · September 2, 2014 11:23 pm

In this Aug. 26, 2014 photo, protesters at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill., protest against the school recently rescinding a job offer to an English professor named Steven Salaita to join the university's American Indian Studies program. Salaita had over the summer used Twitter to angrily and sometimes profanely denounce Israel during its conflict with the Palestinians. Salaita now isn't talking. But his supporters say his academic freedom was violated. (AP Photo/The News-Gazette, John Dixon) MANDATORY CREDIT

U of I facing scrutiny over job-offer decision

David Mercer · August 29, 2014 9:45 pm

Bridges key piece to toting big soybean harvest

David Mercer · August 9, 2014 2:10 pm

Report: State’s consumer spending rebounded fast

David Mercer · August 7, 2014 7:52 pm

In this Thursday, July 17, 2014 photo construction workers build a commercial complex in Springfield, Ill. The state jobless rate has dropped for four straight months and is at its lowest point since October 2008. Illinois has lagged the country as a whole in its recovery from recession, and the state's unemployment rate has been among the worst in the country for months. Thursday's report provides signs that Illinois may be starting to catch up. Construction companies added 3,500 jobs in June, an increase of 1.8 percent. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

Quinn, Rauner use jobs claims as campaign weapons

David Mercer · July 20, 2014 3:55 pm

Construction workers build a commercial complex Thursday, July 17, 2014, in Springfield, Ill. The state Department of Employment Security says Illinois unemployment rate dropped to 7.1 percent in June. The unemployment rate in May was 7.5 percent. The state jobless rate has dropped for four straight months and is at its lowest point since October 2008. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

Illinois unemployment rate falls again in June

David Mercer · July 17, 2014 9:15 pm

Illinois releases 5-year economic blueprint

David Mercer · June 30, 2014 3:58 pm

Illinois jobless rate falls to 7.5 percent

David Mercer · June 19, 2014 8:51 pm