Argie Karafotias
Argie Karafotias
"We lost more than $500,000 and now we’re trying to bring back the business by changing our menus and recontacting those same people. Now we’re just trying to survive.”
Jackie Jackson
Jackie Jackson
"We're very fortunate that we're still standing. And we're very proud because we really love our customers. And we're here to serve.
Illinois last in nation for growth in businesses that create jobs
Illinois last in nation for growth in businesses that create jobs
Lots of businesses tried to get started during 2021 in Illinois, but the ones that create jobs had a tough time launching. That’s why Illinois unemployment remains high and salaries depressed during a national labor shortage.
Hot real estate market mostly missed Illinois, ranking 48th for new homes
Hot real estate market mostly missed Illinois, ranking 48th for new homes
Illinois saw new residential building permits in 2021 issued at one of the slowest rates in the nation. The rest of the U.S. saw real estate booming.
Illinois job opening rate 4th-lowest in nation
Illinois job opening rate 4th-lowest in nation
Workers looking for a job find fewer opportunities in Illinois than in virtually any other state.
Pritzker’s strict COVID-19 policies slowed Illinois’ job recovery
Pritzker’s strict COVID-19 policies slowed Illinois’ job recovery
A new Fed report shows strict COVID-19 policies and enhanced unemployment benefits likely contributed to Illinois’ sluggish recovery from the pandemic recession.
Illinois still missing nearly 1 in 3 leisure, hospitality jobs
Illinois still missing nearly 1 in 3 leisure, hospitality jobs
Illinois is experiencing one of the nation’s worst recoveries for leisure and hospitality jobs. Of the Illinois jobs that vanished since the COVID-19 pandemic, 35% are in leisure and hospitality – the most of any industry.
Pritzker ad fact check: Pritzker’s policies have hurt small business, working mothers
Pritzker ad fact check: Pritzker’s policies have hurt small business, working mothers
Gov. J.B Pritzker’s latest campaign ad praises his support for small businesses even though his policies contributed to one of the nation’s largest small business closures.
Illinois’ leisure and hospitality industry least recovered in Midwest, 7th worst in the nation
Illinois’ leisure and hospitality industry least recovered in Midwest, 7th worst in the nation
One-third of Illinois’ missing jobs are from the leisure and hospitality industry, but that sector’s COVID-19 pandemic recovery lags virtually every other state in the U.S.
High cost of government shrinks Illinois’ workforce
High cost of government shrinks Illinois’ workforce
Population decline has shrunk Illinois’ workforce and the relative size of the state economy. Attracting more workers from other states starts with lowering the cost of living, decreasing pension costs and debt, and improving the state’s social services.
Illinois home price growth lagged rest of nation
Illinois home price growth lagged rest of nation
Illinois declining population was partly responsible for lower growth housing values and Illinois slower recovery.
Illinois has recovered only 69% of its pre-pandemic jobs
Illinois has recovered only 69% of its pre-pandemic jobs
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois’ economic recovery in 2021 lagged other states. A lack of in-person schooling, fewer economic opportunities and high taxes only exacerbated the ongoing population loss.
Illinois 3rd-most regulated state in U.S.
Illinois 3rd-most regulated state in U.S.
Illinois has the nation’s third-highest number of state regulations and double the U.S. average. Regulations make life hard for Illinois’ small businesses, where most Illinois jobs are created.
COVID-19 jobs recovery well below U.S. average in most Illinois metro areas
COVID-19 jobs recovery well below U.S. average in most Illinois metro areas
The nation recovered 85% of the jobs lost to the COVID-19 downturn, but only one metro area in Illinois beat the U.S. average. The Chicago area only recovered 64% of its jobs. Bloomington was one of just 11 U.S. areas to lose jobs last year.