Illinois job growth modest amid high unemployment, competitive market
Illinois job growth modest amid high unemployment, competitive market
Illinois’ unemployment improved somewhat in January. It ranked fifth highest in the nation after being third highest for months.
By Ravi Mishra
Illinois might cap ticket resale prices, fees
Illinois might cap ticket resale prices, fees
Illinois lawmakers are considering new rules for buying and selling tickets to sporting events and concerts, including a cap on resale prices and fees.
By Dylan Sharkey
Chicago area gets over 96K international migrants in 2024; 238K since 2020
Chicago area gets over 96K international migrants in 2024; 238K since 2020
Chicagoland’s population has been boosted by international migrants in recent years. But 347,000 residents left for other states since April 2020.
By Bryce Hill
64 of Illinois’ 102 counties see populations drop in 2024
64 of Illinois’ 102 counties see populations drop in 2024
While Illinois’ total population grew slightly last year, many areas of the state experienced population decline. People moved out of state from half the counties.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois companies announce 1,666 mass layoffs in February
Illinois companies announce 1,666 mass layoffs in February
Illinois companies announced 1,666 mass layoffs in February, with more than 4-in-5 impacting workers in Cook County. Schaumburg alone accounted for one-third of job losses.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
Illinois craft distillers face tough future without changes to liquor law
Illinois craft distillers face tough future without changes to liquor law
Liquor regulations written at the end of Prohibition are strangling Illinois’ craft distillers. A new bill is trying to change that.
By FJ Hilgart
Every 9 minutes, 21 seconds, Illinois loses another resident
Every 9 minutes, 21 seconds, Illinois loses another resident
Illinois continues to lose residents to other states. Another Illinoisan left every 9 minutes and 21 seconds from July 2023 to June 2024.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois is Midwest’s biggest people loser
Illinois is Midwest’s biggest people loser
Most neighboring states are gaining residents from people moving across state lines. Even of the states losing people, Illinois is losing at a significantly faster rate.
By Bryce Hill
Kelsey Olson
Kelsey Olson
“Opening Reverence Coffee was a joint venture. My husband is the one who really dove head-on into coffee. I, of course, like coffee and like to drink it, but he knows and learned all the nuances, the ins and outs of coffee.” “As a family, we would always go out on weekends and enjoy good...
Illinois ranks 48th for people moving out, loses over 56K residents
Illinois ranks 48th for people moving out, loses over 56K residents
Illinois ability to keep its residents is third from the bottom. Only California and New York have more people moving to other states.
By Bryce Hill
International migrants boost Illinois, New York, California populations, but don’t expect them to stay
International migrants boost Illinois, New York, California populations, but don’t expect them to stay
Illinois and other states with sanctuary cities saw large influxes of international migrants in recent years. But historical data shows the new arrivals may soon move out for the same reasons other residents have.
By Bryce Hill
Rockford declared hottest housing market in U.S., but low supply is real story
Rockford declared hottest housing market in U.S., but low supply is real story
Rockford recently made headlines as the nation’s hottest housing market, but the real story is low supply is driving up prices. Changing zoning laws could spur development that would ease the shortage and prices.
By LyLena Estabine
Greater Chicago hit hard as Illinois sees 2,342 mass layoffs in January
Greater Chicago hit hard as Illinois sees 2,342 mass layoffs in January
Illinois companies announced 2,342 mass layoffs in January 2025, according to state reports. More than 9-in-10 job cuts impacted Cook and the collar counties.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
Nine of 15 Illinois metros add jobs in December as employment gains trail nation
Nine of 15 Illinois metros add jobs in December as employment gains trail nation
New data shows nine of 15 Illinois metropolitan areas added jobs in December as the state gained 8,800 jobs. Ten metro areas reported higher unemployment than the national average.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko