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

Judge allows restaurant to stay open for indoor dining despite Pritzker’s executive order

By Joe Tabor

10/28/2020

A Kane County judge granted FoxFire’s request for a temporary restraining order against the governor’s recent COVID-19 executive orders banning indoor dining.

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

Illinois sees worst month of job loss in U.S. ahead of ‘fair tax’ vote

By Bryce Hill

10/22/2020

Illinois lost 12,000 jobs in September and is home to the highest unemployment rate in the Midwest. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” proposal would worsen the state’s jobs climate even more.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, jobs, unemployment

Illinois sees nation’s largest spike in new initial unemployment claims

By Bryce Hill

10/16/2020

Initial unemployment claims in Illinois increased by more than 9,800 last week, the worst spike in the country.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, IDOL: Illinois Department of Labor, unemployment

Illinois becomes only state to ban haunted houses

By Ben Szalinski

10/03/2020

Other states warned residents about small spaces inside haunted houses creating a risk for spreading COVID-19, but Illinois is all alone in outlawing them.

TAGS: executive order, haunted house, JB Pritzker

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