35% of Illinois’ small businesses are closed a year into COVID-19 restrictions

By Bryce Hill

03/29/2021

More small businesses have closed in Illinois than in any other Midwestern state, except Michigan. Taxing them more as they struggle is the wrong move.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, lockdown, small business, unemployment

552K Illinoisans getting or seeking unemployment benefits a year into COVID-19

By Brad Weisenstein

03/18/2021

A year into COVID-19 and 552,000 Illinois workers are still in need of jobs. Despite that, Gov. J.B. Pritzker is asking for as much as $2 billion in new taxes on the small businesses that create most Illinois jobs.

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

Hollowed out: Small businesses reflect on one year into a pandemic

By Hilary Gowins

03/18/2021

The pandemic has affected everyone, but the economic fallout has been especially devastating for specific groups. In addition to retailers, restaurant owners and other small business owners, women, working mothers and Black Illinoisans suffered the worst in terms of job losses.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, lockdown, recession, small business

Black Illinoisans twice as likely to have lost jobs in 2020

By Bryce Hill

03/15/2021

Revised figures show 2020 job losses were worse for Black Illinoisans than originally thought. The worst year of job losses in state history disproportionately affected minority Illinoisans.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, restrictions, unemployment

Study: Illinois among top states to see residents flee

By Brad Weisenstein

03/12/2021

A third moving company ranked Illinois as a prime place to abandon during 2020. State leaders can control the exodus if they reform spending.

TAGS: outmigration, population

Restrictions ease, but Chicago cites 5 bars, restaurants over COVID rules

By Laura Bianchi

03/11/2021

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is allowing bars and restaurants to be open later and increase capacity, but city inspectors are looking for COVID-19 rules violations. Five restaurants and bars were just cited.

TAGS: Chicago, COVID-19, Lori Lightfoot, regulations

Another bump up for Illinois’ new unemployment claims

By Brad Weisenstein

03/04/2021

Illinois saw new unemployment claims rise for a third week, even as nearly 3 million COVID-19 vaccinations have been given to Illinoisans.

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

Illinois unemployment is again on the rise as Pritzker proposes business taxes

By Brad Weisenstein

02/25/2021

Unemployment claims bumped up for a second week in Illinois as Gov. J.B. Pritzker decided to push for 9 new taxes, mostly hitting businesses and job creation. Illinois ranked 49th for recovery last week.

TAGS: budget, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, jobs, labor, taxes, unemployment

Illinois faced nursing shortage before COVID-19 stressed health care

By Laura Bianchi

02/24/2021

An impending health care worker shortage argues for a bill that would allow Illinois to join a multi-state nursing license compact. Nurses could see improved job options.

TAGS: COVID-19, nurse, occupational licensing

Illinois’ poorest hit hardest by COVID-19 job loss, many still unemployed

By Bryce Hill

02/19/2021

Illinois households earning less than $40,000 were four-times as likely to lose their jobs from February-April 2020 and nearly 11 times as likely to still be out of work compared to those earning $75,000 or more.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, lockdown, unemployment

Jobs + Growth

Unfair big government contracts hurt Illinois’ economy, cut job creation

Brigette Barber

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students