This edition of The Policy Shop is by Bryce Hill, director of fiscal and economic research. When you treat people like piggy banks, some of them will get fed up and move. It is most likely the folks with the most money will be the ones to go. Illinois politicians seem to be ignoring those...
Declining demand has John Deere planning 600 layoffs, including 280 in Illinois, by the end of August. Illinois already had companies planning to cut 1,124 jobs in May, hitting janitorial services providers, collection agencies and packaging industries.
New data shows $9.9 billion flowed from Illinois to other states because people moved out in 2022. Most of those leaving earned $100,000 or more.
Thousands of vacant properties sit undeveloped in Chicago thanks to environmental review.
Illinois’ Hispanic population is growing the most while the Asian population growing the fastest.
Illinois' employment growth lags the nation and neighboring states in May.
Utah consolidated and integrated government job and social services into a one-stop shop. Illinois can follow that example and efficiently pull more people out of poverty and into the working world.
If Illinois used data-driven reviews before imposing job rules, more people could find work and escape poverty.
The jobs are there. The people to fill them are there. The only thing standing in the way is Illinois’ overreaching state regulations and job licensing.
Black workers in Illinois face a tougher job market compared to other big states. Illinois has the highest unemployment rate for Black workers among the 10 biggest states.
Illinois workers are at a disadvantage compared to people in other states with the same job. Illinois’ 4.8% unemployment rate is third-highest in the nation.
Illinois grew jobs in eight of its 13 metropolitan areas during April, but the Chicago area’s sluggish growth and a stubbornly high unemployment rate tempered any gains.
Black workers in Illinois face a tougher job market than peers nationally. Hispanic men, Asians face lower unemployment rates relative to peers in other states.
This episode of The Policy Shop is by Bryce Hill, director of fiscal and economic research Illinois’ unemployment rate for Black workers last year was No. 2 in the U.S. Black Illinoisans faced average unemployment rates of 9.6% in 2023, compared to 5.5% for Black workers nationwide. That means Black Illinoisans were 75% more likely...