Business briefing: Florida is top destination for Illinois residents

Whether in winter or summer, Illinois residents fly to Florida more than any other destination for vacation.

Of the thousands of airline ticket reservations made by online discount travel and hotel rate finder priceline.com, most tourists from the Land of Lincoln go to the Sunshine State. That’s more than those who book trips to California, New York or Europe.

The survey also found that although almost 60 percent of Illioisans plan out their trips seven weeks in advance, they still wait hours before departure time to reserve their hotel rooms.

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Productivity was up among U.S. employers during the second quarter, while hiring remained steady. The Labor Department has reported a 1.3 percent increase in production, following a drop of 1.1 percent during the first quarter. The economy expanded at a 2.3 percent annual rate, compared to the 0.6 percent growth recorded earlier this year. Read more here.

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Two Ukrainians and two securities traders have been indicted for hacking information that led to a $30 million pay day.

Federal prosecutors have indicted five, including two securities traders from Alpharetta, Ga., for hacking computer systems of companies that publish news releases about mergers and acquisitions that helped the defendants gain access to information before it was made public. Learn more here.

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As the debate continues over permitting Uber into St. Louis, police in Hong Kong have raided the app-based rider company’s office in the Asian financial center after officers posing as customers arrested five drivers offering their services through the mobile app.

The operation was aimed at combating illegal taxis. Police said the five men were suspected of illegally carrying passengers and driving without insurance. Find out more here.

-Will Buss, BND business writer

This story was originally published August 11, 2015 at 9:16 AM with the headline "Business briefing: Florida is top destination for Illinois residents."