1,400 layoffs to hit the state

More than 1,400 jobs could be eliminated by early next year as 11 Illinois companies, including some in the suburbs, plan closures and layoffs, according to information released Tuesday by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

In the suburban region, Parallel Employment Group of Illinois Inc., a temporary help service with locations in Wheeling, Elgin and Crystal Lake, expects to close those offices and eliminate about 265 jobs altogether. The company also plans to close an office in Chicago, affecting 218 workers.

Parable Employment said workers’ compensation losses have been staggering in Illinois and is forcing it to close these offices. But it will move its Chicago operations to Oak Park and retain its Naperville office, said Kirk LaDu, executive vice president of operations.

“About 35 percent of our sales are in Illinois, but 87 percent of our workers’ compensation losses have been in Illinois. The disparity is staggering,” LaDu said.

Also, CSC, known as Computer Sciences Corp., a custom computer programming service in Oakbrook Terrace, plans to lay off 79 workers later this month. A company executive wasn’t immediately available for comment.