This week, the North American chocolate company Ferrero announced an expansion of its chocolate plant in Bloomington. Ferrero will invest up to $214.4 million in expanding its chocolate processing and production right here in Illinois.

The chocolate company announced its new expansion that will add 169,000 square feet to its current plant and is dedicated to producing Kinder Bueno, a popular Ferrero premium chocolate bar. This expansion hopes to bring more than 200 jobs to Bloomington within the next four years. Construction on the new plant will begin this fall and is expected to be complete in 2024.   

Ferrero, a business operating since 1946, has had a long history of producing sweets in the United States. Ferrero is famously known for their hazelnut spread Nutella. Throughout its years of operation, it has acquired companies and brands from Fannie May in Chicago, to Nestle plants for Baby Ruth and Butterfinger, and several others.

The new Kinder Bueno production facility is an expansion of the existing plant in the Ferrero Bloomington manufacturing center, which is also under an expansion process for the chocolate Crunch, 100Grand, Raisinets, and other Ferrero products.

Lake County is home to a beautiful forest preserve bordering Lake Michigan with a unique history.  When renowned landscape designer O.C. Simonds came up with the plans for the Fort Sheridan army base in 1889, he met both the military’s needs while also making breathtaking views of Lake Michigan a priority. The site of the historic U.S. Army post (1887–1993) holds national significance for its landscape and architecture design, and for the preparation and training of American soldiers for military service. In 1982, Fort Sheridan was designated a National Historic Landmark by the United States Secretary of the Interior. Fort Sheridan joins 2,540 sites across the country recognized as places that possess exceptional value and quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States. Currently, Ninety-four buildings at the Fort are designated National Historic Landmarks. The Fort was officially closed in 1993 and the land was transferred to the Lake County Forest Preserve.

A scenic destination, this forest preserve offers a variety of opportunities for recreation at the lakeshore. Fort Sheridan is one of only a few places in Lake County that offers free public access to Lake Michigan and an awe-inspiring lake overlook perched on a 70-foot-high bluff. Known for its pristine natural areas and excellent birdwatching, Fort Sheridan is home to several rare species not found elsewhere in the region. The preserve's savanna, ravines and lakefront location allow visitors to observe one of North America’s busiest flyways for migratory birds. At least 236 species of birds have been seen here.

Chicago is often recognized for its inviting nature of entrepreneurs, visionaries, and tourism. For nearly a decade, Site Selection Magazine, a publication that reports nationwide corporate development, has announced Chicago as the Top Tier 1 Metro. Tier 1 metros refers to metropolitan areas excelling in business growth while containing a population of more than one million people.

Competing with other large cities such as Dallas, Houston, and New York, Chicago came forward in 2021 with an astounding 441 business developments. These included expansions and relocations throughout the city. The Windy City beat its own 2016 record of 424 projects. According to the city, its 2021 number of corporate developments produced $2.8 billion in investments, 18,368 employment opportunities, and nearly 60 million square feet of corporate space.

Chicago has been making notable strides in getting ahead. Earlier this year, Forbes, an American business magazine, reviewed data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau and highlighted Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport’s first-time feat of achieving the title as the nation’s top port. This institution exceeded $300 billion in earnings in 2021.

Further, the Windy City became the nation’s most sought out destination for lease agreements of properties at or greater than one million square feet. Chicago’s Clean Tech Economic Coalition was acknowledged and selected by the U.S. Development Administration as a finalist for the 60 Build Back Better Regional Challenge, a grant-funded program encouraging its participants to develop effective strategies that may result in clean energy and carbon neutrality.

Chicago continues to work hard in expanding economic development projects. The recognition provided by Site Selection Magazine is most telling as Chicago has earned the title of Top Tier 1 Metro for the ninth consecutive year.

Illinois is the second in the nation in employment of machinist. Machinists are tradespeople that create precise parts from machining tools. Machinists are tasked with creating, repairing, or modifying objects that are usually made of metal.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois employs over 28,000 machinists, the only state that employees more is California. Illinois takes the lead in employment of machinists by area with Chicago, Naperville and Elgin having over 19,000 employees in the field. Rockford has the highest level of concentration of machinist jobs in the U.S.

Although they generally work with metals, they sometimes work with woods, glass, and plastics. When small parts are needed, machinists will manually set up the machine to make those pieces. For larger scale pieces Computer Numerically Controlled – or CNC – is used. CNC is equipment that is run by computers that cuts and shapes down metals to a desired size. While these pieces are being created the machinists pays close attention to it to make sure the machine is operating as expected. Once these pieces are cut down, they are inspected by engineers.

There are a variety of different types of machinists. There are machinists –known as production machinists – who specialize in a specific part. This machinist will produce large quantities of the same objects. Another common machinist is the automotive machinist, who operates on cars.

To become a machinist, one must have a high school diploma or GED. Once this is acquired, a person can learn how to be a machinist from a program through a trade school, apprenticeship, community college, or by getting an associate’s degree for it.

Machinists are essential workers who help people get the exact piece of equipment they need. Illinois is doing at a wonderful job at employing machinist and utilizing their services.

The Olympics are one of the most viewed international sporting events to date. Throughout its continuance, there has been longstanding Illinoisan representation. Over the years, numerous Illinois athletes have earned the opportunity to compete with equally talented opponents. Illinois produces solid and motivated contenders who make their home state very proud. This year, seven Illinoisans will be competing on Team USA in Beijing for the 2022 Winter Games. They include:

Megan Bozek – A Buffalo Grove native, Bozek has been making remarkable strides in the hockey world. From serving as team caption of her college team, the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and helping them attain D-1 national championship titles to winning four gold medals and two silver medals while competing in the World Championship. As a 2014 Olympic medalist, she returns to the 2022 Beijing Winter Games.

Jason Brown – Raised in Highland Park, Brown has been figure skating since he was three years old. He has participated in the 2014 Sochi Winter Games in which his team received a bronze medal, and he finished in ninth place on the individual level. He is currently set to participate in the figure skating singles event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games.

Jesse Compher – At only 22 years old, this Northbrook native has been presented with two medals in the World Championship and is now taking part in her first Olympic Games. As an active member of the Colorado Avalanche organization, she continues to train and hone her hockey skills as she prepares for the 2022 Winter Games.

Kendall Coyne-Schofield – From Palos Heights, Coyne-Schofield is a three-time Olympian and two-time Olympic medalist. She is also the recipient of eight consecutive World Championship medals. With her dedication to hockey and good sportsmanship, she earned the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award in 2016 and continues to flourish in the sport she loves at the 2022 Winter Games.

Savannah Harmon – Harmon was born and raised in Downers Grove. As the recipient of a silver medal during the 2021 World Championship, Harmon will be participating in the hockey event at her first Olympic Games this year.

Alexa Knierim – With Addison roots, this figure skater is a two-time Olympic medalist. One of these medals was presented to her team recently during the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. She partakes in the event for figure skating pairs.

Abbey Murphy – Starting her career at six years old with the help of her neighbor, this Evergreen Park local became a three-time member of the U.S. Under-18 Women’s Select Team and skated in three IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championships in which she won two medals. Shortly after, she joined the U.S. Women’s National Team and was presented with a silver medal as a result of her display of athleticism at the International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship. At an astonishing age of only 19 years of age, Murphy is making her mark in hockey history by playing in the 2022 Winter Games.

Tune in to the 2022 Beijing Winter Games and root for your fellow Illinoisans.