Chicago’s Federal Reserve branch projects slower economic growth. Illinois’ major industries say getting trade deals in place with Canada, Mexico and Japan would be a boost for growth. Among the central bank’s measurements, total industrial product decreased as did manufacturing production. That points to slower economic growth. Illinois Manufacturers’ Association President Mark Denzler said trade deals would reverse that. “I think would provide a huge boon to the manufacturing sector, to the agricultural community and certainly we’d see it reflected in the economy because certainly we know we can sell products.” (The Center Square)