Over 292K Illinoisans remain jobless despite 318K jobs
Over 292K Illinoisans remain jobless despite 318K jobs
Despite 318,000 job openings, Illinois’ unemployment remained above national average in the latest economic measures.
Small businesses create all Cook County jobs since 2020
Small businesses create all Cook County jobs since 2020
Chicagoans have even more to be thankful for on Small Business Saturday: small businesses created all Cook County’s net new jobs since the pandemic.
Small businesses create virtually all new Illinois jobs
Small businesses create virtually all new Illinois jobs
Small Business Saturday gives Illinoisans another reason to be thankful: these businesses have been the sole job creators since 2020.
Illinois can’t afford to miss out on 10,000 extra homes
Illinois can’t afford to miss out on 10,000 extra homes
Families rely on single-family homes. Illinois must relax zoning laws and lower minimum lot sizes to make them more affordable statewide.
Small lots lower Illinois housing prices, even for big homes
Small lots lower Illinois housing prices, even for big homes
A Lombard housing project shows how smaller lots can lower costs, boost development and help Illinois address its housing shortage.
Chicago business activity drops for 23rd straight month
Chicago business activity drops for 23rd straight month
A barometer of business health shows Chicago is close to marking two years of decline. The city’s employment rate lags the nation.
Riverwalk eatery gone thanks to murky Chicago rules
Riverwalk eatery gone thanks to murky Chicago rules
Restaurants and bars bid to be along Chicago’s Riverwalk, so why a proven business with a lucrative offer was booted is a mystery wrapped up in a secretive city panel.
Housing gets boost by easing parking lot mandates near transit
Housing gets boost by easing parking lot mandates near transit
The Illinois General Assembly just eliminated parking minimums for developments near transit hubs. That flexibility should boost housing.
Baker & Taylor library supplier closing, laying off 318
Baker & Taylor library supplier closing, laying off 318
A major library supplier formerly employing 1,500 will cease operations at the end of the year, laying off 318 workers in October at its Momence distribution center.
How many people in your county can’t access SNAP after Nov.1?
How many people in your county can’t access SNAP after Nov.1?
If the federal government shutdown continues, millions of Illinoisans could lose access to critical food aid after Nov. 1.
Capital One leads Illinois mass layoffs as companies announce 1,722 job cuts
Capital One leads Illinois mass layoffs as companies announce 1,722 job cuts
Illinois companies announced 1,722 mass layoffs in September, with restructuring at Capital One leading to the single largest loss of jobs statewide.
Every Illinois metro has fewer homes for sale than in 2018
Every Illinois metro has fewer homes for sale than in 2018
Illinois home prices have jumped 48% since 2018 while available housing inventory has plummeted across all 26 tracked metro areas, creating a housing crisis driven largely by restrictive zoning laws and the nation’s highest property taxes.
Illinois grows enough pumpkins for 8B pumpkin-spice lattes
Illinois grows enough pumpkins for 8B pumpkin-spice lattes
Illinois can take credit for plenty of Starbucks’ pumpkin spice lattes. The state produces enough pumpkins to make nearly 8 billion pumpkin spice lattes, the most pumpkins in the U.S.
Illinois GDP grew 4.8% in 2nd quarter of 2025
Illinois GDP grew 4.8% in 2nd quarter of 2025
Illinois’ economy bounces back after early 2025 slump. Long-term growth is threatened by taxation, regulation and barriers to getting a job.