Moving companies report Illinois exodus hits 10th year

By Ann Miller

01/14/2021

More people again in 2020 became former Illinoisans than new Illinoisans. The new General Assembly has the power to stop the moving vans.

TAGS: COVID-19, outmigration, population, property taxes

Illinois unemployment claims double

By Brad Weisenstein

01/14/2021

Illinois unemployment numbers dropped for a week during the holidays, but they were back up last week as the state's hospitality industry remains out in the cold.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, jobs, unemployment

More Illinoisans collect unemployment as nation recovers

By Brad Weisenstein

01/08/2021

Bans on indoor dining and bar service continue to hurt Illinois jobs numbers, placing the state low in a national recovery ranking.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, Illinois, jobs, unemployment

Illinois sees worst population decline since World War II

By Bryce Hill

12/22/2020

Even subtracting COVID-19 deaths, Illinois still suffered its largest population drop in modern history in the first year of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s fiscal policies, including 20 new tax and fee hikes, as well as his pandemic response.

TAGS: outmigration, population, U.S. Census Bureau

Illinois loses 27,400 hospitality sector jobs in November amid indoor dining ban

By Bryce Hill

12/18/2020

Illinois’ jobs numbers have slipped for the second time in the past three months as the rest of the nation steadily recovers.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, JB Pritzker, jobs, recession

Illinois unemployment claims approaching COVID-19 lockdown levels

By Brad Weisenstein

12/17/2020

New unemployment claims are rising in Illinois, hitting 142,745 last week as COVID-19 restrictions continue.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, JB Pritzker

Shop Small gets smaller in Illinois, with 11,200 fewer shop owners

By Bryce Hill

11/24/2020

Ownership of bars and restaurants also has declined over 70%, thanks to COVID-19 and associated restrictions

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, lockdown, small business

Illinois loses 1,100 jobs in October, unemployment rate falls largely from workers giving up

By Bryce Hill

11/20/2020

Jobs data is giving the illusion of economic recovery in Illinois. The reality is 107,530 workers gave up their job searches, and new COVID-19 lockdowns can only hurt more workers.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, income tax, JB Pritzker, jobs, pensions, unemployment

Illinois sees largest increase in new unemployment claims in the nation

By Bryce Hill

11/09/2020

76,338 Illinoisans filed new unemployment claims during the week ending Oct. 31, up more than 23,000 from prior week.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, restrictions, unemployment

Pritzker locks down more Illinois regions, again hitting struggling bars and restaurants

By Bryce Hill

10/29/2020

A “conservative” estimate predicted 20% of Illinois restaurants would not survive COVID-19 closure orders, but predictions ranged as high as 85%. Some are fighting back.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, JB Pritzker, small business