Illinois’ job market outpaced the national average during August. But 13 of Illinois’ 15 metropolitan areas continued to have higher unemployment rates than the national average.
Chicago led the state in mass layoffs, accounting for more than one-third of job cuts in August. The statewide data shows 93% of job losses stemmed from companies closing up shop.
The Fed just cut interest rates over worries about the national jobs outlook, but in Illinois unemployment has been a persistent problem. Tax and state economic policy should get much of the blame.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently OK’d four new laws that would expand the ability for professionals to practice in Illinois. While they are advancements, Illinois’ onerous occupational licensing system needs comprehensive reform.
The Quad Cities will experience a combined 319 job cuts after John Deere announced layoffs at both its World Headquarters in Moline and Harvester Works factory in East Moline. Romeoville saw more than 1-in-4 of the mass layoffs statewide.
Despite Illinois’ job market outpacing the national average, all 15 metro areas continue to have higher unemployment rates than the national average.
July unemployment hit 5.2% in Illinois, ranking second worst in the nation. It equated to 341,630 workers looking for a job.
Nearly 100,000 Chicago-area residents are out of work, and at 6.2% the Chicago metro area has the highest unemployment rate of the nation’s 50 largest metro areas. Illinois as a whole isn’t doing much better, with a 6.1% unemployment rate.
This episode of The Policy Shop is by Bryce Hill, director of fiscal and economic research. When Democrats come to Chicago Aug. 19-22, they will find plenty of elbow room: people are leaving, and not because of the potential for protests to turn ugly near the United Center. Chicago has lost nearly 130,000 residents since 2014, marking...
The Democratic National Convention is coming to Chicago to highlight the party’s platform. Delegates are likely to see moving vans that highlight what those policies have done to the Windy City and the rest of Illinois.
At the 1920 Census, Chicago’s population was 2.7 million, up over 516,000 in a decade. More than 100 years later, Chicago’s population is 2.66 million, a loss of 128,034 from nine straight years of decline.
Illinoisans released from a variety of correctional facilities have one less barrier to being a productive member of society. A new law grants them a state identification card when they are released from jails and federal facilities, an important part of getting work and housing.