Norvax, CVS lead layoffs as Illinois loses 1,192 jobs
Illinois’ saw 1,192 mass layoffs in November. Norvax and CVS Health/Oak Street accounted for most of the job losses announced.
Illinois companies announced a total of 1,192 mass layoffs in November 2025.
Norvax LLC cut 487 positions and CVS Health/Oak Street Health MSO LLC had 219 layoffs. Oak Street said the layoffs were meant to make operations more efficient and reduce costs.
Printback announced it is closing its facility in Elgin as it faces “ongoing operation challenges.” The company accounted for 111 layoffs at the facility that made flexible packaging materials.
The hardest hit sectors were insurance agencies and brokerages, with 487 workers losing jobs, followed by office administrative services, which shed 301 jobs. Paper bag and coated paper manufacturing companies cut another 111 jobs. Health care saw 90 layoffs at general medical and surgical hospitals, while furniture merchant wholesalers let go of 54 employees.
Chicago bore the brunt of layoffs with 714 people out of work in November. The surrounding collar counties reported 209 layoffs, while northern Illinois outside of Cook and the collar counties saw 208. Southern Illinois had fewer job losses, with 55.
These numbers come from the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, which requires employers to notify the state about major layoffs. While the reports don’t capture every detail about Illinois’ job market, they offer a useful look at recent trends affecting workers in large companies.
Of the total layoffs, 552 came directly from company closings, while another 487 were classified as layoffs not linked to a full closure. The reasons behind these job losses varied: financial troubles triggered some cuts, while larger business restructurings and even contract losses explained others.
Layoffs do serve as a warning: Illinois’ business climate is seen as less friendly than it used to be. The state dropped to 38th in a nationwide business tax climate ranking.
Illinois needs comprehensive reforms to improve its economic situation. To reduce future layoffs, it needs to end excessive occupational licensing, expand school choice, reduce the nation’s No. 1 property tax rate, lower its third-highest corporate income taxes, and invest more in apprenticeship programs to help keep companies and jobs in Illinois.