Illinoisans 51% more likely to be laid off, 21% less likely to be hired than U.S. average

By Bryce Hill

09/17/2020

While Illinois claws back jobs from the COVID-19 associated downturn, in-depth analysis shows why the state is struggling more than most other states’ economies.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, jobs, recession, unemployment

Illinois’ mortgage delinquency rate highest in Midwest amid largest spike in state’s history

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

09/03/2020

Delinquent mortgages nearly doubled to 124,000 amid COVID-19’s soaring unemployment, and inaction by state and local governments.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, mortgage, recession

Monthly jobs report fails to show depth of Illinois job losses

By Bryce Hill

08/20/2020

IDES estimated unemployment rate remains artificially low because it fails to count nearly 238,000 Illinoisans who have given up trying to find a job.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs

Pritzker could have saved nearly 32,000 jobs during COVID-19 downturn

By Bryce Hill

08/13/2020

Illinois is the largest state without a short-time compensation plan, increasing the chances nearly 32,000 job losses will be permanent.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, recession

Illinois’ economy likely shrank by $86 billion during Q2, national data suggests

By Bryce Hill

08/06/2020

Data published last week by the Bureau of Economic Analysis revealed that U.S. gross domestic product shrank at an annualized rate of -32.9% during the second quarter.

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

Illinois’ COVID-19 jobs rebound is among nation’s weakest

By Bryce Hill

08/01/2020

Most other states have recouped more of their February-April job losses from the pandemic shutdowns than Illinois.

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

Illinois moms take brunt of COVID-19 unemployment

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

07/30/2020

COVID-19 and associated government lockdowns disproportionately harmed women with children at home.

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

Illinois workers remain idle despite national rebound

By Bryce Hill

07/28/2020

The state and most of its urban areas are failing to get residents back to work at rates matching the national average.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, jobs, unemployment

Illinois at risk of losing leisure and hospitality job gains as Chicago reimposes COVID-19 restrictions

By Bryce Hill

07/23/2020

Illinois’ leisure and hospitality sector has added 94,200 jobs since April, but remains down 223,200 jobs since February.

Illinois worst among Midwest, neighbor states for unemployed staying idle

By Bryce Hill

07/20/2020

Continued unemployment claims in Illinois remain virtually unchanged since mid-April. Other states are getting back to work.

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