Shop Small gets smaller in Illinois, with 11,200 fewer shop owners
Shop Small gets smaller in Illinois, with 11,200 fewer shop owners
Ownership of bars and restaurants also has declined over 70%, thanks to COVID-19 and associated restrictions
Illinois loses 1,100 jobs in October, unemployment rate falls largely from workers giving up
Illinois loses 1,100 jobs in October, unemployment rate falls largely from workers giving up
Jobs data is giving the illusion of economic recovery in Illinois. The reality is 107,530 workers gave up their job searches, and new COVID-19 lockdowns can only hurt more workers.
Gina Garbis: Richmond BratHaus
Gina Garbis: Richmond BratHaus
"The population is so divided. Some people say, ‘If you stay open we’ll support you!’ But others say, ‘Hey, who are you to choose money over lives and put the public at risk?’ It’s really hard to know what to do.”
Illinois sees largest increase in new unemployment claims in the nation
Illinois sees largest increase in new unemployment claims in the nation
76,338 Illinoisans filed new unemployment claims during the week ending Oct. 31, up more than 23,000 from prior week.
K.C. Gulbro: Foxfire restaurant
K.C. Gulbro: Foxfire restaurant
“I have a deep love for restaurants. I started out as a busboy-host at Baker’s Square back in 1991-2. Since then, I’ve been in almost every position you could have in the restaurant industry – from busboy to executive manager and chef.” “It’s an industry that my dad and I have fallen in love with,...
Argie Karafotias: Golden Brunch
Argie Karafotias: Golden Brunch
“Shutting down would absolutely close my business. SBA and PPP money helped, but if customers don’t come in and dine, we’ll close.”
Pritzker locks down more Illinois regions, again hitting struggling bars and restaurants
Pritzker locks down more Illinois regions, again hitting struggling bars and restaurants
A “conservative” estimate predicted 20% of Illinois restaurants would not survive COVID-19 closure orders, but predictions ranged as high as 85%. Some are fighting back.
Judge allows restaurant to stay open for indoor dining despite Pritzker’s executive order
Judge allows restaurant to stay open for indoor dining despite Pritzker’s executive order
A Kane County judge granted FoxFire’s request for a temporary restraining order against the governor’s recent COVID-19 executive orders banning indoor dining.
Illinois sees worst month of job loss in U.S. ahead of ‘fair tax’ vote
Illinois sees worst month of job loss in U.S. ahead of ‘fair tax’ vote
Illinois lost 12,000 jobs in September and is home to the highest unemployment rate in the Midwest. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” proposal would worsen the state’s jobs climate even more.
Illinois sees nation’s largest spike in new initial unemployment claims
Illinois sees nation’s largest spike in new initial unemployment claims
Initial unemployment claims in Illinois increased by more than 9,800 last week, the worst spike in the country.
Illinois becomes only state to ban haunted houses
Illinois becomes only state to ban haunted houses
Other states warned residents about small spaces inside haunted houses creating a risk for spreading COVID-19, but Illinois is all alone in outlawing them.
Illinoisans 51% more likely to be laid off, 21% less likely to be hired than U.S. average
Illinoisans 51% more likely to be laid off, 21% less likely to be hired than U.S. average
While Illinois claws back jobs from the COVID-19 associated downturn, in-depth analysis shows why the state is struggling more than most other states’ economies.
Illinois’ mortgage delinquency rate highest in Midwest amid largest spike in state’s history
Illinois’ mortgage delinquency rate highest in Midwest amid largest spike in state’s history
Delinquent mortgages nearly doubled to 124,000 amid COVID-19’s soaring unemployment, and inaction by state and local governments.
Monthly jobs report fails to show depth of Illinois job losses
Monthly jobs report fails to show depth of Illinois job losses
IDES estimated unemployment rate remains artificially low because it fails to count nearly 238,000 Illinoisans who have given up trying to find a job.