Illinois adds 4,100 jobs in August, slowing significantly
Illinois adds 4,100 jobs in August, slowing significantly
Illinois saw a significant slowdown in employment growth during August. The state is still missing 80,700 jobs from the pandemic.
Argie Karafotias
Argie Karafotias
“I’m a restaurant owner, and an immigrant. Serving food to my community is my American Dream come true.” “Thanks to our customers and friends, our family business survived the pandemic.” “We were doing great recovering until last November when this inflation started and since then everything has been up from 60% to 100%. I see...
Illinois ranks No. 2 in nation for small business layoffs
Illinois ranks No. 2 in nation for small business layoffs
Illinois ranked No. 2 in the nation for number of small businesses planning to lay off employees in the coming months. A majority of entrepreneurs have already put a freeze on new hires. Amendment 1 threatens Illinois’ business climate even more.
Portillo’s expanding in states with better economies than Illinois
Portillo’s expanding in states with better economies than Illinois
Portillo’s CEO Michael Osanloo said the Illinois-based chain is looking to expand in states more friendly to businesses.
Only 1 Illinois metro area has recovered COVID-19 job losses
Only 1 Illinois metro area has recovered COVID-19 job losses
Illinois’ lagging pandemic recovery continued across its cities in July. Only 1 metropolitan area has recovered from the pandemic.
Marcus Lucy
Marcus Lucy
“Inflation is definitely hitting me on the personal side."
Illinois unemployment rate is third-highest in the nation, highest in Midwest
Illinois unemployment rate is third-highest in the nation, highest in Midwest
Illinois stands as one of the states with the most to gain – and lose – as the national economy continues to surpass job growth expectations.
Illinois adds 31,200 jobs in July, still missing 88,600 from pandemic
Illinois adds 31,200 jobs in July, still missing 88,600 from pandemic
Illinois’ employment recovery continued in July, but the state is still missing nearly 1 in 9 jobs lost during the pandemic.
Marion Gipson
Marion Gipson
“Sometimes I think about how many more customers we’d have if the city wasn’t so overbearing about tickets and taxes.”
Sam Sanchez
Sam Sanchez
“It’s tough because many businesses closed and those that survived are having a slower recovery. There are a lot of people, including myself, who haven't been able to fully reopen because we’re short-staffed. The cost of labor has increased so much, it’s hard to compete.”
Ep. 47: Are we in a recession?
Ep. 47: Are we in a recession?
Recession is the buzzword of the week as the economy begins to cool. So, are we in a recession or not? And what does that mean for Illinois? Bryce Hill joins the Policy Shop to talk about the state and national economic picture. Learn more by subscribing to the Policy Shop newsletter at illin.is/newsletter. This...
10 Illinois metro areas gain jobs, only 1 recovers from pandemic
10 Illinois metro areas gain jobs, only 1 recovers from pandemic
Only Bloomington has recouped early 2020 job losses, which is bad news for Illinois’ lagging economy as recession fears increase.
Jackie Jackson
Jackie Jackson
"Running a business can be stressful at times, but I do it because I absolutely love offering job opportunities.”
Illinois still missing 1 in 7 jobs lost during pandemic
Illinois still missing 1 in 7 jobs lost during pandemic
With the highest unemployment rate in the Midwest and 117,000 jobs still missing, Illinois’ labor market is among the least recovered in the region.