IDES estimated unemployment rate remains artificially low because it fails to count nearly 238,000 Illinoisans who have given up trying to find a job.
"We’re down 40 to 50% in customers and income and it’s not really flying back. We have a little overhead compared to restaurants. We can withstand it longer, I hope."
"We’re very hurt, we’re disappointed and we’re frustrated with what has happened with the city. We don’t want to pack up and leave. We have too much invested."
Illinois is the largest state without a short-time compensation plan, increasing the chances nearly 32,000 job losses will be permanent.
"Taxes are tough. If we could get a tax break, that would help a lot. I know it’s difficult, but I want our legislators to understand that jobs are not dispensable."
Data published last week by the Bureau of Economic Analysis revealed that U.S. gross domestic product shrank at an annualized rate of -32.9% during the second quarter.
Most other states have recouped more of their February-April job losses from the pandemic shutdowns than Illinois.
COVID-19 and associated government lockdowns disproportionately harmed women with children at home.
The state and most of its urban areas are failing to get residents back to work at rates matching the national average.
Illinois’ leisure and hospitality sector has added 94,200 jobs since April, but remains down 223,200 jobs since February.
Continued unemployment claims in Illinois remain virtually unchanged since mid-April. Other states are getting back to work.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security has been under fire throughout the COVID-19 pandemic as millions waited for unemployment relief.
With small businesses and seasonal attractions closed, most of Illinois’ youth find themselves spending a summer without a job. COVID-19 isn’t the only reason, however.
27,412 loans for at least $150K were made in Illinois through the Payroll Protection Program. See who got what.