Jobs data is giving the illusion of economic recovery in Illinois. The reality is 107,530 workers gave up their job searches, and new COVID-19 lockdowns can only hurt more workers.
"The population is so divided. Some people say, ‘If you stay open we’ll support you!’ But others say, ‘Hey, who are you to choose money over lives and put the public at risk?’ It’s really hard to know what to do.”
76,338 Illinoisans filed new unemployment claims during the week ending Oct. 31, up more than 23,000 from prior week.
“I have a deep love for restaurants. I started out as a busboy-host at Baker’s Square back in 1991-2. Since then, I’ve been in almost every position you could have in the restaurant industry – from busboy to executive manager and chef.” “It’s an industry that my dad and I have fallen in love with,...
“Shutting down would absolutely close my business. SBA and PPP money helped, but if customers don’t come in and dine, we’ll close.”
A “conservative” estimate predicted 20% of Illinois restaurants would not survive COVID-19 closure orders, but predictions ranged as high as 85%. Some are fighting back.
A Kane County judge granted FoxFire’s request for a temporary restraining order against the governor’s recent COVID-19 executive orders banning indoor dining.
Illinois lost 12,000 jobs in September and is home to the highest unemployment rate in the Midwest. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” proposal would worsen the state’s jobs climate even more.
Initial unemployment claims in Illinois increased by more than 9,800 last week, the worst spike in the country.
Other states warned residents about small spaces inside haunted houses creating a risk for spreading COVID-19, but Illinois is all alone in outlawing them.
While Illinois claws back jobs from the COVID-19 associated downturn, in-depth analysis shows why the state is struggling more than most other states’ economies.
Delinquent mortgages nearly doubled to 124,000 amid COVID-19’s soaring unemployment, and inaction by state and local governments.
IDES estimated unemployment rate remains artificially low because it fails to count nearly 238,000 Illinoisans who have given up trying to find a job.
"We’re down 40 to 50% in customers and income and it’s not really flying back. We have a little overhead compared to restaurants. We can withstand it longer, I hope."