Although the healthcare industry is often considered recession-proof, one Chicago area hospital is planning to cut more than 100 Chicago healthcare jobs.

NorthShore Skokie Hospital recently announced that it would cut 150 jobs, or about 14 percent of the company’s workforce. The job eliminations will not affect caregivers, but will leave seven senior executives and some secretaries, clerical support and business office staff without jobs. The hospital employs 1,100 workers.

“It has no impact on clinical activities and it involves redundant back office administrative services,” Jeffrey Hillebrand, chief operating officer of NorthShore University HealthSystem, said in the article. “None of the affected employees provide direct, hands-on care to patients.”

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More Chicago tourism jobs may soon be created as the city invests in a new winter tourism campaign, which includes the launch of a new tourism Web site.

The City of Chicago recently announced the launch of the new campaign. The Web site will showcase Chicago to a worldwide audience and add a new tool to help support tourism. During 2007, Chicago’s tourism industry attracted 46 million business and leisure travelers who added more than $11.5 billion to the economy and helped create 132,000 new tourism jobs.

“Chicago’s convention and tourism industry is among our city’s most important,” Mayor Richard M. Daly said in a press release. “With that in mind today, we’re announcing a great new website - ExploreChicago.org - that will increase our visibility around the world and make it easier for visitors and residents alike to take advantage of the great things our city has to offer. It is another step in our ongoing effort to kick start Chicago’s economic recovery.”

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Those who have a Chicago retail job with one large company could soon be unemployed.

Neiman Marcus Group Inc. recently announced its plan to cut 375 jobs, or about 3 percent of the company’s workforce. The layoffs will affect varying retail jobs with different parts of the company, including corporate and store positions.

The company also will make interest payments for senior notes due in 2015 by issuing more debt rather than paying cash, according to an article by Reuters. The company, which operates luxury department stores, hopes the moves will help save money and further cut costs.

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More transportation jobs in Chicago could soon be created because of a railroad deal.

Canadian National Railway recently won the right to purchase EJ&E Railway from the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.

On the up side, the Chicago Metropolis 2020 has estimated the project could create 600 new jobs, a welcome notion while other jobs are being cut, and add $60 million to the local economy each year, while 80 communities will see a reduction in rail traffic. On the down side, according to an article by the Chicago Tribune, the sale will result in increased rail traffic Waukegan, Barrington, Aurora, Joliet and east into Indiana.

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