Illinois unemployment highest in U.S. for 2nd month

By Justin Carlson

11/28/2022

Illinois only added 3,600 jobs in October, a drastic drop in job growth coming amid persistent inflation and rising recession fears. Unemployment led the nation.

TAGS: Illinois, unemployment

Illinois holiday shoppers pay highest sales taxes in Midwest

By Dylan Sharkey

11/23/2022

Retailers should expect a record number of holiday shoppers this weekend. Shoppers in Illinois will get hit with some of the nation’s highest sales taxes.

TAGS: Illinois, sales tax

Illinois Thanksgiving travelers pay 2nd-highest gas taxes in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

11/23/2022

AAA predicts nearly 55 million people will travel for Thanksgiving this year, only 2% less than Thanksgiving travel in 2019. Illinoisans hitting the road should try to fill up in other states.

TAGS: gas tax, Thanksgiving

Small businesses led Illinois’ COVID-19 jobs recovery

By Bryce Hill

11/23/2022

Small Business Saturday offers a reason to be extra thankful: businesses with fewer than 20 employees were the only ones to grow payrolls since COVID-19 hit.

TAGS: COVID-19, small business

Forbes: Illinois 3rd in nation for people leaving

By Dylan Sharkey

11/17/2022

Forbes magazine highlighted Illinois as one of the top states residents are fleeing for more tax-friendly climates.

Illinois food assistance rate 6th-highest in nation

By Patrick Andriesen

11/17/2022

Thanksgiving will come from SNAP benefits for 1 in 6 Illinoisans this year. That is the nation’s sixth-highest rate, with inflation and a recession looming.

TAGS: Illinois, Thanksgiving

Nearly 40% of small businesses delinquent on October rent

By Patrick Andriesen

11/04/2022

A survey found 37% of U.S. small businesses were delinquent on October rent, with inflation and rising costs absorbing “most sales gains.”

Illinois’ business climate in decline since 2018, as most neighbors improve

By Dylan Sharkey

10/26/2022

During the past five years, Illinois’ business tax climate has gotten worse while all neighboring states improved or held steady. Six companies this year said they are relocating, and the exodus may not be over.

TAGS: State Business Tax Climate Index

Illinois unemployment rate is worst in U.S.

By Justin Carlson

10/25/2022

Illinois added 14,900 jobs in September, but its unemployment rate was the highest in the nation. Inflation and growing recession fears could hit the state harder than most.

Chicago’s Fortune 500 headquarters are shrinking

By Dylan Sharkey

10/17/2022

Chicago has lost three Fortune 500 headquarters in 2022. McDonald’s could be the next to leave. Amendment 1 could make it more likely.