Ulysses Salamanca: Flash Taco
Ulysses Salamanca: Flash Taco
“We have a slogan that we live by: ‘Life without Mexican food is no life at all.’"
Illinois gains small businesses, but restaurants still slow to rebound
Illinois gains small businesses, but restaurants still slow to rebound
This Small Business Saturday, Illinois has more entrepreneurs than before the COVID-19 pandemic. But the recovery has been uneven as some types of small businesses struggle and many jobs are missing as Illinois lags the national rebound.
Women driving Illinois’ labor market recovery
Women driving Illinois’ labor market recovery
Illinois’ labor market has heated up, gaining 40,900 jobs in October. It was the largest increase in 2021 as women, especially minority women, returned to work
Food stamps put Thanksgiving on more Illinois tables
Food stamps put Thanksgiving on more Illinois tables
Illinoisans are more likely to give thanks that their Thanksgiving meal was purchased with food stamps than in any surrounding state. As the national participation declines, SNAP in Illinois has grown.
Two Black women small business owners thrive despite pandemic in Illinois
Two Black women small business owners thrive despite pandemic in Illinois
Two groups most hurt by pandemic closures, women and Black Illinoisans, have been the quickest to turn to owning small businesses as a way to recover from the COVID-19 economic downturn.
Adam Arbil
Adam Arbil
“I opened Zayna Mediterranean Grill in August 2019. ‘Zayna’ is my grandmother’s name. When I decided I was going to open this restaurant, I didn’t tell anyone in my family for six months. Then, I had a friend bring my family to my restaurant one day to eat.” “My parents are a little older, so...
Pritzker’s choice: Get COVID-19 shot, or lose your job
Pritzker’s choice: Get COVID-19 shot, or lose your job
Gov. J.B. Pritzker just signed an amendment to the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act, limiting the law used to challenge his COVID-19 vaccination and other mandates.
Sol Lieberman
Sol Lieberman
“This year, our assessment increased 540%, and we fear next year our taxes will see a substantial increase. We’re appealing, but if our taxes continue to rise at such high rates, there is a good chance they will be putting us out of business."
All-time record 201,000 Illinoisans quit their jobs in August
All-time record 201,000 Illinoisans quit their jobs in August
Illinois’ sluggish labor market is driven by a record number of workers quitting their jobs at the same time there are fewer job opportunities than in nearly any other state. Even though an all-time record number of workers quit, Illinois was only No. 7 in the “Great Resignation.”
Steven Blake
Steven Blake
"Rain or shine, hot or cold, I’m out here. My customers tell me they’re so glad I’m back. My presence brings a sense of normalcy back.”
Chicago leaves 3,300 students stranded without a school bus ride
Chicago leaves 3,300 students stranded without a school bus ride
Chicago Public Schools’ shortage of school bus drivers has gotten worse. Sending kids to school with a rideshare driver makes some parents nervous.
Katie Vandenberg
Katie Vandenberg
"Peoria created an annual pension fee. Homeowners might pay $30-40 annually while commercial owners or landlords might pay $150-250."
Illinois’ racial employment gap is double U.S. average
Illinois’ racial employment gap is double U.S. average
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced his reelection bid on July 19 with the key pillar of his campaign being his record on “protecting the lives and livelihoods of the people of Illinois.” Look at the “livelihoods” in Illinois, and that quickly looks like a poor campaign decision.
Illinois aims to put 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030
Illinois aims to put 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030
The state’s newly adopted clean energy policy adds new incentives for electric vehicles and charging stations for buyers and manufacturers.