Jobs + Growth

Preliminary jobs report: Illinois gains 14,700 jobs in March

Preliminary jobs report: Illinois gains 14,700 jobs in March

Illinois gained 14,700 jobs on net in March, according to a preliminary jobs report released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security, or IDES. March’s numbers mark three consecutive months of jobs growth in a state that had grown all too accustomed to job losses. More and more Illinoisans are looking for work – and...

By Hilary Gowins

Illinois professionals can now renew their licenses online

Illinois professionals can now renew their licenses online

Switching to an electronic system from a paper-based licensing program is expected to save taxpayers millions of dollars over the next few years – as well as provide better and faster service for the state’s licensed professionals.

By Amy Korte

The fall of Illinois manufacturing

The fall of Illinois manufacturing

Since the state's recession bottom, Illinois has regained less than 5 percent of its manufacturing jobs — the worst rate of recovery among all neighboring states.

By Austin Berg

Help save ridesharing in Chicago

Help save ridesharing in Chicago

Chicago aldermen, some of whom receive financial support from the taxicab industry, are looking to burden Uber and Lyft drivers with expensive chauffer’s licenses.

By Austin Berg

Preliminary jobs report: Illinois adds 18,100 jobs in February

Preliminary jobs report: Illinois adds 18,100 jobs in February

Illinois has finally recovered from the job losses suffered during the Great Recession, and its workforce continues to grow. But the state’s unemployment rate is also increasing, signaling that while the economy is recovering, it is still unable to meet the demands of a growing number of job seekers.

By Hilary Gowins

Sylvia Davis

Sylvia Davis

“Chicago has a curse on it. “I’ve been praying to God: Please get me and my children out of this city. And you know what? A lot of folks at our church have moved to Indiana. A lot of them have moved to Texas, too … “It’s just a vicious cycle here. “You hear so...

3 reasons why Illinois should reduce occupational-licensing requirements

3 reasons why Illinois should reduce occupational-licensing requirements

By reducing the licensing requirements that make it harder for people to enter many professions, Illinois could give more people access to jobs, bring down the cost of goods and services through increased competition, and attract more workers to the state.