Economic panel says recession ended in June 2009 -

The National Bureau of Economic Research, a panel of academic economists based in Cambridge, Mass., said the recession lasted 18 months. It started in December 2007 and ended in June 2009

To make its determination, the NBER looks at figures that make up the nation's gross domestic product, which measures the total value of goods and services produced within the United States. It also reviews incomes, employment and industrial activity.

Unemployment usually keeps rising well after a recession ends. Four months after the 2007 downturn ended, unemployment spiked to 10.1 percent in October 2009, which was the highest in just over a quarter-century. Some economists believe that marked the high point in joblessness. But others think it could climb higher -- perhaps hitting 10.3 percent by early next year.

Click on the following for more detail:  Economic panel says recession ended in June 2009 - Yahoo! Finance

Hampshire and other Illinois communities brace for longtime political signs

… in Hampshire, and probably in many other Illinois towns, political campaign signs may be staying up a lot longer.

Village Attorney Mark Schuster told the village board Thursday that under a state law which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2011, cities and villages no longer will have the power to limit how long outdoor campaign signs may remain standing in residential areas.

"Yes, sir -- 24/7, 365 days a year,"

Click on the following for more details:  Hampshire braces for longtime political signs :: The Courier News :: Local News