(The Center Square) – Amid new reports that Chicago led the state in mass layoffs, a policy researcher says state leaders could do a lot to make Illinois more attractive to businesses and workers. Illinois companies announced 1,183 mass layoffs in August, according to the Illinois Policy Institute. Of the 1,183 layoffs, 443 hit Chicago. “Even though the homicide rate is down, the violent crime rates are still very high, and that causes fear in a lot of prospective employees who want to move to the state or that city, specifically. That adds more reasons for businesses to not want to come here …