Jobs + Growth

Ernie Sandoval

Ernie Sandoval

“I quit my job in the beginning of March and was supposed to start a new job a week later. The start date was March 16, and because of COVID-19 I never started the job. “It’s been 12 weeks since I requested assistance and it’s still up in the air. I have not been able...

Rachel Meredith

Rachel Meredith

“Eight years ago, I got married and had two boys and was divorced before my youngest was 2. I had a baby and a toddler and I was out on my own. I never had anything in my name and I learned you couldn’t even get a phone bill without having previous credit. Two years...

Mike Morrison: The Chubby Bullfrog

Mike Morrison: The Chubby Bullfrog

“I’ve spoken to several other bar owners [who] are like, ‘We’re in the exact same boat.’ I’m waiting for a serious miracle. [But] I don’t think that’s going to happen."

Jada Nettle

Jada Nettle

“[The lockdown] has just really, really put a dent in my income ... a huge dent to this point. I tried to apply for unemployment. But I make $50 a week too much, and that was me only netting $150 a week."

Unemployment mess leads lawmaker to push for Pritzker’s recall

Unemployment mess leads lawmaker to push for Pritzker’s recall

Citing the lack of action on the state unemployment claims system overwhelmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, a state lawmaker begins the process to remove Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker from office.

Metra ridership down 97% from COVID-19

Metra ridership down 97% from COVID-19

Very few people have been commuting to work since Illinois’ stay-at-home order began at the end of March, which could mean tax and fare troubles are ahead for Chicago’s mass transit.

State agency published private data of nearly 32,500 unemployed Illinoisans

State agency published private data of nearly 32,500 unemployed Illinoisans

Just as Illinois opened its unemployment system to self-employed workers, the new system exposed Social Security numbers and other private information of 32,483 applicants, according to a Freedom of Information Act response.

Pete Dolan: Elmhurst Brewing Co.

Pete Dolan: Elmhurst Brewing Co.

"It’s really hard to put a new budget together and say this is where we’re going to end up. We know we can’t keep going like this for a long period of time."