Rob McMillan
Rob McMillan
“I first started thinking about Dearborn Denim in 2014 because I wanted to get out of my job as a bond trader and start my own business.” “When I looked at apparel manufacturing, I realized you can manufacture in Chicago paying fair wages and sell directly to customers online and really shrink the supply chain...
Illinois unemployment No. 3 in U.S. during November
Illinois unemployment No. 3 in U.S. during November
Illinois is caught in a sluggish job market with persistently high unemployment. It was third-highest in the U.S. again during November.
By Ravi Mishra
Illinois population grows in 2024 despite 56K residents leaving for other states
Illinois population grows in 2024 despite 56K residents leaving for other states
A massive influx of 112,955 international migrants boosted Illinois population in 2024, new Census Bureau data shows. Buses from Texas likely grew Illinois’ population.
By Bryce Hill
Atlas Van Lines: Illinois 3rd in nation for residents leaving
Atlas Van Lines: Illinois 3rd in nation for residents leaving
Illinois saw the third-highest rate of residents moving out in 2024 based on a survey by Atlas Van Lines. Jobs and taxes are among the top reasons people leave Illinois, which is also third in the nation for highest unemployment rate.
By Dylan Sharkey
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
Riverwalk eatery gone thanks to murky Chicago rules
Riverwalk eatery gone thanks to murky Chicago rules
Restaurants and bars bid to be along Chicago’s Riverwalk, so why a proven business with a lucrative offer was booted is a mystery wrapped up in a secretive city panel.
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