Journal Article
From pathways to policy: an overview of green collar jobs advocacy
DiFranco, Daniel (2009-09)
The term "Green Collar Job" for many of those who use it, represents more than a label describing environmentally friendly occupations. In particular, the expression tends to evoke a hopeful vision of economic development that combines inclusive prosperity and environmental stewardship in complementary ways. Yet even supporters who admire the term's ability to inspire acknowledge its ambiquity and unwieldiness from a technical perspective. Others have even wondered whether the phrase is anything more than a "trendy term for politicians and others to bandy about."
Profitwise , Issue Sep , Pages 2-8

Journal Article
Nonprime loans: a view from the local level
Newberger, Robin G.; DiFranco, Daniel (2009-06)
This article presents information on the location of subprime and Alt-A mortgages ("nonprime" loans) in the five states within the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago?s district (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin). The purpose is to identify the zip codes and communities most affected, or at risk of being affected, by foreclosures. We present a series of maps that show the zip codes with the highest numbers and highest concentrations of subprime and Alt-A loans, as well as the past-due and foreclosure rates in these neighborhoods. For illustration purposes in the print version ...
Profitwise , Issue Jun , Pages 1-11

Journal Article
Mapping the recovery: sentiment survey of small Business intermediaries in Chicago
Newberger, Robin G.; Longworth, Susan; DiFranco, Daniel (2013-08)
The Community Development and Policy Studies (CDPS) division of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago distributed a poll to small business intermediaries in the fourth quarter of 2012 to ask about their perceptions of small business conditions in their neighborhoods. The purpose of this poll was to get a better understanding of the small business climate in diverse neighborhoods of the city of Chicago. It was designed to capture perspectives at the neighborhood level, perspectives that are not observable in aggregated data. The results show an array of opinions about the small business climate ...
Profitwise , Issue Aug

Journal Article
Beyond the foreclosure inventory: the impact of start rates and transition rates in five counties
Newberger, Robin G.; DiFranco, Daniel (2011-04)
Since 2007, the rate of mortgage foreclosures has risen in all five states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin) in the Federal Reserve?s Seventh District. Rising foreclosure rates obviously signal problems in housing markets, but the inventory of foreclosed loans, meaning the number of loans under formal foreclosure status at a given moment, actually reflects two actions that occur at distinct phases of the foreclosure process.
Profitwise , Issue Apr , Pages 2-7

Journal Article
From Classroom to Career: An Overview of Current Workforce Development Trends, Issues and Initiatives
Patton, Ryan; DiFranco, Daniel; Engel, Emily (2014-10)
Earlier this year, Community Development and Policy Studies (CDPS) staff at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago released a report on its Industrial Cities Initiative (ICI).[1] The report features a quantitative assessment of ten Midwestern “industrial cities” that is augmented by more than 175 interviews with city leadership. The report explores whether – and to what extent – these cities have been able to withstand a decline in manufacturing employment since the 1960s. Workforce development was the most common and ...
Profitwise , Issue Fall , Pages 1-37

Newsletter
Trends in consumer sentiment and spending
Toussaint-Comeau, Maude; DiFranco, Daniel (2009-04)
In 2008, personal consumption expenditures represented 70% of gross domestic product, or total spending on final goods and services, according to U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data. This article analyzes consumer sentiment and spending data to uncover differences across income and education level groups.
Chicago Fed Letter , Issue Apr