Figures

65

New U.S. census figures show that the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul rank fourth in the nation in the percentage of seniors working past age 65. Of Twin Cities residents in their late 60s and early 70s, more than one in four — 27.4 percent — are working, according to 2006 figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Among the 20 largest metro areas, only Washington, D.C., Boston, and Dallas-Fort Worth have higher work force participation by seniors.

19 million

The Mattel Toy Company recalled nearly 19 million toys worldwide on Aug. 14, including Chinese-made toys that either had excessive amounts of lead paint or had small magnets that could easily be swallowed by children. Its Fisher-Price division on Aug. 1 said it was recalling 1.5 million preschool toys featuring characters such as Dora the Explorer, Big Bird and Elmo because of lead paint. A Senate Appropriations subcommittee led by Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin, heard explanations from Mattel President and CEO Robert Eckert at a hearing on Sept. 19, after Mattel issued a third major recall involving toys with lead paint. Mattel said it was recalling 800,000 toys, including 675,000 accessories for one of the company’s biggest sellers, the Barbie doll.

$2.5 million

Chicago cosmetics mogul Marilyn Miglin filed a lawsuit against a man she said defrauded her by persuading her to invest in a startup company that failed and bankrupted her. James Joseph “Ted” Mellon and others convinced her to invest in a Las Vegas company marketing a cosmetic device to treat spider veins, costing her $2.5 million, Miglin’s lawsuit claims. Miglin is seeking that amount plus punitive damages in a suit filed Aug. 31 in Cook County Circuit Court. Miglin’s cosmetic products, including the popular fragrance Pheromone, are sold on television, and she owns a boutique on exclusive Oak Street in Chicago.

11 %

Poverty dropped in Illinois last year, but the number of residents without health insurance increased, U.S. Census data shows. About 1.39 million, or 11 percent, of state residents were poor, down from 1.49 million, or 11.9 percent the year before. Median income increased slightly and unemployment fell, but in 2006, 1.75 million Illinoisans were without health insurance, a 4 percent increase from the year before.

Topics USA