Lisa Creason
Lisa Creason
“Nurses are scared because we’ve got to come back home to our kids. We had my son stop his job because we don’t need multiple risks coming in and out of the house."
Illinois unemployment requests top 200K as state tells independent contractors, freelancers not to apply
Illinois unemployment requests top 200K as state tells independent contractors, freelancers not to apply
Unemployment is hitting record levels in Illinois with weeks to go until the COVID-19 stay-at-home order expires. Federal action made self-employed workers eligible, but Illinois could be months away from handling their claims.
Chris Parth: Harbor restaurant
Chris Parth: Harbor restaurant
“Anything that’s delayed at this point [taxes or other business expenses] I think would be beneficial. Our property taxes are not inexpensive. So, if that’s money we can keep in our accounts to pay to vendors or pay the staff, every dollar would help."
Where Illinois small businesses can get government financial help
Where Illinois small businesses can get government financial help
The federal government authorized a financial aid program for small businesses that have closed their doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but state and local government also offer assistance.
Susan Trieschmann: Curt’s Café
Susan Trieschmann: Curt’s Café
“In our country we should not have children who don’t have three meals a day. And we have a lot of that. We just picked up a family of seven that hasn’t eaten for two or three days."
COVID-19 potentially impacting one-fourth of Illinois workers
COVID-19 potentially impacting one-fourth of Illinois workers
Business sectors directly affected by the coronavirus and mitigation employ 1.5 million Illinoisans. The longer the shutdown, the more industries and jobs face cuts.
Katie VandenBerg: VanHaus LLC
Katie VandenBerg: VanHaus LLC
“I really like the story of how we started this business. “My husband, Ben, and I started out 12 years ago. At the time, I really wasn’t expecting that we’d become full-time landlords. For me, it was a way for us to buy a house with the space we needed, plus cash flow. I come...
Nearly 1.5M Illinois workers risk layoffs or reduced hours from COVID-19 economic fallout
Nearly 1.5M Illinois workers risk layoffs or reduced hours from COVID-19 economic fallout
A quarter of Illinois’ workers are staring down the economic impacts of a global pandemic.
Silence: Chicago in the age of COVID
Silence: Chicago in the age of COVID
Our team wanted to give you a look at the harsh reality of life in downtown Chicago during the COVID-19 crisis.
Keith Harbison
Keith Harbison
“I had just built up a savings account for the first time. Now I’m fighting to keep everything."
Samantha Palya: Absolutely Pawfect Pet Stylings
Samantha Palya: Absolutely Pawfect Pet Stylings
“Before the health crisis, we were growing at such a rapid pace and scale that we were looking to expand either our space or to a second location this year. Now with the coronavirus, everything has come to a screeching halt."
Dave Jordan: The Wagon
Dave Jordan: The Wagon
"Isn’t it odd that people like us have to live within our means but government doesn’t? It makes no sense."
Stunning data show Illinois economy stalled out before COVID-19 pandemic
Stunning data show Illinois economy stalled out before COVID-19 pandemic
The last thing Illinois needs is more bad news for the sake of it. But ignoring this reality threatens to make this crisis worse.
Craig Alexander: Happy Monday Coffee Roasters
Craig Alexander: Happy Monday Coffee Roasters
"In a lot of sales, you have a winner and a loser sometimes. And with coffee for me, there was two winners: a coffee and a smile for a smile and two dollars."