Workers penalized just for living in Illinois
Workers penalized just for living in Illinois
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.
Chicago lags as 8 of 13 Illinois metro areas add jobs in April
Chicago lags as 8 of 13 Illinois metro areas add jobs in April
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.
Illinois’ Black unemployment rate No. 2 in U.S.
Illinois’ Black unemployment rate No. 2 in U.S.
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.
The Policy Shop: The Illinoisans that Springfield is leaving behind
The Policy Shop: The Illinoisans that Springfield is leaving behind
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...
Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd-worst in the nation
Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd-worst in the nation
Illinois’ unemployment rate for April was near the highest in the U.S. Its recovery lags the nation by nearly a full percentage point.
Illinois lawmakers plan to ban some food ingredients
Illinois lawmakers plan to ban some food ingredients
The Illinois Senate approved legislation banning four food additives, sending it to the House. Manufacturers will need to sell an alternate recipe in Illinois if the bill becomes law.
Did neighbors leave your town last year?
Did neighbors leave your town last year?
Illinois continued to lose population last year, with people leaving 75% of the communities in the state. But what about your town? Did it lose or gain, and by how much?
3 in 4 Illinois communities lost population in 2023
3 in 4 Illinois communities lost population in 2023
Chicago lost the most, but communities across Illinois lost population in 2023. Three-fourths of the cities and towns lost people.
9 years of decline: Expect Chicago to be No. 4 behind Houston by 2035
9 years of decline: Expect Chicago to be No. 4 behind Houston by 2035
Chicago lost 8,208 residents in 2023, the third-largest decline of any city in the nation. At this rate, the Second City will drop from No. 3 to No. 4 by 2035
Chicago Kilwins owner named small businessperson of the year
Chicago Kilwins owner named small businessperson of the year
Jackie Jackson has repeatedly helped people understand what it means to be an entrepreneur in Chicago, from crime to the pandemic to taxes. But being able to create jobs keeps her going and is why she was named businessperson of the year.
Phoenix’s building permit privatization could help reverse Illinois’ housing woes
Phoenix’s building permit privatization could help reverse Illinois’ housing woes
Phoenix, Arizona, established a program to streamline building permits for certain projects. It has seen results. It could help Illinois’ drop in housing permits.
9 Illinois metro areas add jobs in March, 6 await pandemic recovery
9 Illinois metro areas add jobs in March, 6 await pandemic recovery
Job gains in Illinois’ metropolitan areas were off to a slow start in 2024. Six areas remain behind where they were before the pandemic.
Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd worst in the nation
Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd worst in the nation
Illinois employment growth lagged the nation and neighboring states in March 2024. Unemployment was third highest in the U.S.
How economically competitive is Illinois? Not very
How economically competitive is Illinois? Not very
A new survey of economic indicators ranks Illinois 48th in the nation on 15 measures. High taxes, slow economic growth, people moving away and high public debt all pushed the state down.