By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced on Wednesday that a plastic lumber manufacturer is expanding and consolidating its operations in Montgomery.

State officials said Tangent Technologies, bolstered by state taxpayer funding, would invest $50 million, create 110 new jobs and retain 485 jobs.

FIRST AMENDMENT SUIT

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression is suing U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem over allegations that they violated the First Amendment rights of two people who aimed to inform the public about federal immigration law enforcement activity.

The suit alleges that Bondi and Noem pressured the takedown of a Facebook group and an Apple application hosting video footage of ICE operations.

FINANCIAL CONDITIONS INDEX HOLDS STEADY

The Chicago Fed’s National Financial Conditions Index was unchanged at –0.56 in the week ending Feb. 6, suggesting steady financial conditions.

The Adjusted NFCI increased to -0.57. Negative values of the NFCI have been historically associated with looser-than-average financial conditions, where credit is considered to be easier and cheaper for businesses and consumers.