Nearly all Illinois metro areas lost population in 2021
Nearly all Illinois metro areas lost population in 2021
Illinois’ record population decline affected virtually all of the state’s largest cities.
Only 1 Illinois metro area fully recovered its pandemic-related job losses
Only 1 Illinois metro area fully recovered its pandemic-related job losses
Bloomington is the only metro area to recover jobs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic and statewide mandated shutdowns. Illinois is still missing 200,100 jobs as of January 2020.
Hispanic Illinoisans only group to fully recover from COVID-19 job losses
Hispanic Illinoisans only group to fully recover from COVID-19 job losses
Although Hispanics were one of the groups hardest hit by pandemic-related job losses, 85,000 more Hispanic Illinoisans were employed in December 2021 compared to December 2019. Hispanic women are driving their recovery.
Illinois adds 8,600 jobs in January, but still missing 200,100 from pandemic
Illinois adds 8,600 jobs in January, but still missing 200,100 from pandemic
Illinois’ employment recovery continued in January, but the state remains far from a full recovery and still lags the nation.
Illinois’ Black workers unemployed at near double U.S. rate
Illinois’ Black workers unemployed at near double U.S. rate
Black workers in Illinois face much higher unemployment rates than other Black workers in the nation and than their white peers in Illinois. Investing in MAP grants rather than spending more on public pensions could make a difference.
After two years of COVID-19, Illinois jobs growth seriously lags nation
After two years of COVID-19, Illinois jobs growth seriously lags nation
Employment in nearly all of Illinois’ major industries are still lagging other states two years after the initial COVID-19 shutdowns rocked the economy.
Illinois missing nearly twice as many jobs as U.S.
Illinois missing nearly twice as many jobs as U.S.
Revisions show Illinois added 17,400 more jobs in 2021 than previously thought, but the state’s recovery still significantly lags the U.S. recovery rate.
Illinois leads U.S. for people moving out: 8th year of loss
Illinois leads U.S. for people moving out: 8th year of loss
Illinois reported the largest outmigration of residents of any state during 2021, marking the 8th consecutive year of population decline in Illinois. Chicago similarly saw more residents move away than any metropolitan area in the nation.
Your Story: COVID 19’s 2nd anniversary proves Illinoisans remain resilient
Your Story: COVID 19’s 2nd anniversary proves Illinoisans remain resilient
During the past two years, about 80 Illinoisans shared how the COVID-19 pandemic was changing their lives, children’s educations and businesses. Here is how some of them have come through the pandemic, both those who thrived and those who lost.
Kevin Promenschenkel
Kevin Promenschenkel
"If I wouldn’t have done what I did I wouldn’t even be in business today.”
Desi Mulingbayan
Desi Mulingbayan
"“I’m trying to rebuild our bar business, but it’s been difficult to compete with neighboring towns that have fewer mandates, and there is more competition popping up in the area."
JoAnn Chumley
JoAnn Chumley
“The shutdowns definitely hurt the city in taxes. When people don’t spend money at local businesses, towns are losing money that would have been taxable.”
Vicki Granacki
Vicki Granacki
“My income decreased substantially due to the pandemic because I have a couple vacancies, and I readjusted rent for some of my tenants. Even though I have less income than before the pandemic, my taxes keep increasing.”
Sheldrick Holmes
Sheldrick Holmes
“As a business owner, I think the pandemic responses were too built within the bureaucracy of the system of government, which is has too many layers to get necessary approvals. In a state of emergency, you cannot have that.”