As President Obama was addressing the nation regarding the economic outlook this week, some workers in one particular Chicago factory were making progress toward their own economic future.  The group of individuals who occupied the Republic Windows and Doors factory in 2008 have founded a worker-run cooperative.  Using the state of Illinois as their incorporated state; they have bid to buy the machinery from their former employer; now, they are just waiting for a response from Serious Energy, the company that took over the plant most recently.  These workers are looking to save their jobs during a tough economy by way of co-operatives.  Back in 2008, these group of workers occupied their plant for six days after Republic closed down the plant and tried to weasle their way out of the state by owing workers back-pay and benefits.  Fortunately, the occupiers won a $1.75 million settlement from Bank of American and Chase Bank.  Following its predecesor, Serious also failed to properly manage the plant and walked away.  The workers do not plan on walking away from their jobs like their former employers have.