Chicago business licenses hit lowest level since pandemic
Chicago business licenses hit lowest level since pandemic
Only the pandemic hurt Chicago business starts and sustainability more during the past decade. Maybe Mayor Brandon Johnson should stop treating businesses like the enemy?
By Patrick Andriesen
Only 6 of 15 Illinois metro areas gained jobs in October
Only 6 of 15 Illinois metro areas gained jobs in October
New data shows only six of 15 Illinois metropolitan areas added jobs in October as the state shed 2,400 jobs. Twelve metro areas reported higher unemployment than the national average.
By Patrick Andriesen
Thank a small business on Saturday: they’ve generated all Illinois’ job growth
Thank a small business on Saturday: they’ve generated all Illinois’ job growth
Small Business Saturday offers a reason to be extra thankful: businesses with fewer than 20 employees have been the only ones to grow payrolls since COVID-19 hit.
By Bryce Hill
True Value bankruptcy creates half of 1,790 Illinois layoffs
True Value bankruptcy creates half of 1,790 Illinois layoffs
Nearly half of the Illinois job losses in October resulted from True Value Co. declaring bankruptcy. Chicago led the state for jobs lost.
By Patrick Andriesen
Unemployment high in 13 of 15 Illinois metro job markets
Unemployment high in 13 of 15 Illinois metro job markets
The statewide Illinois job market outpaced the national average. But 13 of 15 metro areas continued to have higher unemployment rates than the U.S. average.
By Ravi Mishra
Illinois holds second-worst unemployment rate in the nation
Illinois holds second-worst unemployment rate in the nation
Illinois is tied with California for the nation’s second-worst unemployment behind only Nevada, according to September data.
By Ravi Mishra
781 layoffs in September, with Amazon closing a Chicago facility
781 layoffs in September, with Amazon closing a Chicago facility
Chicago led Illinois for mass layoffs in September after Amazon announced it was closing its Goose Island fulfillment center.
By Patrick Andriesen
Unemployment persists in Illinois metro areas during August
Unemployment persists in Illinois metro areas during August
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.
By Ravi Mishra
Illinois had 1,183 mass layoffs in August, with more than 9-in-10 stemming from business closures
Illinois had 1,183 mass layoffs in August, with more than 9-in-10 stemming from business closures
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.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
Illinois unemployment hits 2nd highest in U.S.
Illinois unemployment hits 2nd highest in U.S.
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.
By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko
La población de Chicago alcanza su punto más bajo desde 1920
La población de Chicago alcanza su punto más bajo desde 1920
En el Censo de 1920, la población de Chicago era de 2.7 millones, un aumento de más de 516,000 en una década. Más de 100 años después, la población de Chicago es de 2.66 millones, una pérdida de 128,034 tras nueve años consecutivos de declive.
By Bryce Hill
4 new occupational licensing laws remove barriers in Illinois
4 new occupational licensing laws remove barriers in Illinois
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.
By Joe Tabor