Illinois sports betting tops $1B, ranks 3rd in nation
Illinois sports betting tops $1B, ranks 3rd in nation
October 2022 set a record high for sports betting in Illinois: over $1 billion in wagers, which was the third-highest state tally in the U.S.
Illinois among worst-prepared in nation to weather next recession
Illinois among worst-prepared in nation to weather next recession
Illinois lawmakers and Gov. J.B. Pritzker reached a deal to pay off $1.8 billion borrowed from the federal government for unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a positive step, but the state remains ill-prepared for the next economic shock.
Fed: Illinois unemployment rate 2nd-highest in nation
Fed: Illinois unemployment rate 2nd-highest in nation
Analysis from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia indicates Illinois lost jobs during Q2 rather than gaining, as previously reported. It may still be losing jobs. Illinois ranked No. 2 for highest unemployment in November.
Illinois’ population shrinks for 9th straight year
Illinois’ population shrinks for 9th straight year
Record outmigration in 2022 pushed Illinois’ population change into the red for the 9th straight year, the second-longest streak in the nation, the Census Bureau reported.
Illinois losing residents 5 times faster than any neighbor state
Illinois losing residents 5 times faster than any neighbor state
Kentucky, Wisconsin, Indiana and Missouri are attracting residents while Iowa and Michigan are the only neighbor states losing residents to other states
Illinois loses a resident every 3 minutes, 43 seconds
Illinois loses a resident every 3 minutes, 43 seconds
More Illinoisans fled for other states from July 2021-July 2022 than during any other year in recorded history, driving the state’s record population decline.
Outmigration caused Illinois’ population to decline again in 2022
Outmigration caused Illinois’ population to decline again in 2022
New Census Bureau data shows people moving out of Illinois continues to drive the state’s population decline. So many moved away in the year before July 2022, it was almost like Rockford disappearing.
Illinois population drops by record 104,437 in 2022
Illinois population drops by record 104,437 in 2022
People moving out of Illinois drove the highest population loss on record in 2022, new data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows.
Illinois metro areas’ unemployment rates among worst in U.S.
Illinois metro areas’ unemployment rates among worst in U.S.
Illinois’ metro areas already face unemployment problems, with some of the nation’s worst rates. They could be hit harder by a recession than other places in the nation.
Report: 40% of Illinois small businesses behind on November rent
Report: 40% of Illinois small businesses behind on November rent
A new survey found Illinois reported the third-highest increase in small business rent delinquency nationwide during November, with 40% of respondents unable to pay rent on time or in full.
Illinois unemployment highest in U.S. for 2nd month
Illinois unemployment highest in U.S. for 2nd month
Illinois only added 3,600 jobs in October, a drastic drop in job growth coming amid persistent inflation and rising recession fears. Unemployment led the nation.
Illinois holiday shoppers pay highest sales taxes in Midwest
Illinois holiday shoppers pay highest sales taxes in Midwest
Retailers should expect a record number of holiday shoppers this weekend. Shoppers in Illinois will get hit with some of the nation’s highest sales taxes.
Illinois Thanksgiving travelers pay 2nd-highest gas taxes in nation
Illinois Thanksgiving travelers pay 2nd-highest gas taxes in nation
AAA predicts nearly 55 million people will travel for Thanksgiving this year, only 2% less than Thanksgiving travel in 2019. Illinoisans hitting the road should try to fill up in other states.
Small businesses led Illinois’ COVID-19 jobs recovery
Small businesses led Illinois’ COVID-19 jobs recovery
Small Business Saturday offers a reason to be extra thankful: businesses with fewer than 20 employees were the only ones to grow payrolls since COVID-19 hit.