Illinois food assistance rate 6th-highest in nation
Illinois food assistance rate 6th-highest in nation
Thanksgiving will come from SNAP benefits for 1 in 6 Illinoisans this year. That is the nation’s sixth-highest rate, with inflation and a recession looming.
By Patrick Andriesen
Nearly 40% of small businesses delinquent on October rent
Nearly 40% of small businesses delinquent on October rent
A survey found 37% of U.S. small businesses were delinquent on October rent, with inflation and rising costs absorbing “most sales gains.”
By Patrick Andriesen
Illinois’ business climate in decline since 2018, as most neighbors improve
Illinois’ business climate in decline since 2018, as most neighbors improve
During the past five years, Illinois’ business tax climate has gotten worse while all neighboring states improved or held steady. Six companies this year said they are relocating, and the exodus may not be over.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois unemployment rate is worst in U.S.
Illinois unemployment rate is worst in U.S.
Illinois added 14,900 jobs in September, but its unemployment rate was the highest in the nation. Inflation and growing recession fears could hit the state harder than most.
By Justin Carlson
Chicago’s Fortune 500 headquarters are shrinking
Chicago’s Fortune 500 headquarters are shrinking
Chicago has lost three Fortune 500 headquarters in 2022. McDonald’s could be the next to leave. Amendment 1 could make it more likely.
By Dylan Sharkey
Tyson Foods 6th company to leave Illinois in 2022
Tyson Foods 6th company to leave Illinois in 2022
Tyson Foods is relocating 500 employees from Chicago and Downers Grove offices to the corporate headquarters in Arkansas. The meat processor is the sixth company to leave Illinois this year.
By Dylan Sharkey
Crypto exchange FTX moving U.S. headquarters out of Illinois
Crypto exchange FTX moving U.S. headquarters out of Illinois
FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried announced the cryptocurrency exchange is moving its U.S. headquarters to Miami. It’s the fifth major company to relocate its headquarters out of Illinois this year.
By Dylan Sharkey
Nearly half of Illinois’ metropolitan areas lost jobs in August
Nearly half of Illinois’ metropolitan areas lost jobs in August
The latest job numbers show Illinois continues struggling to recover pandemic job losses, a bad sign for its lagging economy as recession fears rise.
By Justin Carlson
Illinois to legalize internet gambling, executives predict
Illinois to legalize internet gambling, executives predict
A new report predicts legalized internet gambling would generate $273.3 million a year in new revenue for Illinois. A safer bet for Illinois’ state workers would be constitutional pension reform.
By Patrick Andriesen
Fact check: Unemployment under Pritzker worse than Midwest, U.S.
Fact check: Unemployment under Pritzker worse than Midwest, U.S.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is claiming his administration has fought for Illinois families. Since Pritzker took office, Illinois’ unemployment rate is worse compared to other states.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois adds 4,100 jobs in August, slowing significantly
Illinois adds 4,100 jobs in August, slowing significantly
Illinois saw a significant slowdown in employment growth during August. The state is still missing 80,700 jobs from the pandemic.
By Justin Carlson
Argie Karafotias
Argie Karafotias
“I’m a restaurant owner, and an immigrant. Serving food to my community is my American Dream come true.” “Thanks to our customers and friends, our family business survived the pandemic.” “We were doing great recovering until last November when this inflation started and since then everything has been up from 60% to 100%. I see...
Illinois ranks No. 2 in nation for small business layoffs
Illinois ranks No. 2 in nation for small business layoffs
Illinois ranked No. 2 in the nation for number of small businesses planning to lay off employees in the coming months. A majority of entrepreneurs have already put a freeze on new hires. Amendment 1 threatens Illinois’ business climate even more.
By Patrick Andriesen
Portillo’s expanding in states with better economies than Illinois
Portillo’s expanding in states with better economies than Illinois
Portillo’s CEO Michael Osanloo said the Illinois-based chain is looking to expand in states more friendly to businesses.
By Dylan Sharkey