Indignation, action needed on Illinois’ jobs crisis

By Austin Berg

08/31/2017

Until Illinois lawmakers get serious about economic growth, don’t expect the state’s jobs trend to get off the depressing path it’s been treading for years.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois General Assembly, jobs, property taxes, unemployment, workers compensation

BLS data show Illinois would have 250,000 more people working if it kept up with surrounding states

By Michael Lucci

06/21/2017

Illinois has been lagging behind the rest of the region over the last decade, and will continue to do so if the state doesn’t enact necessary economic reforms.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, unemployment

Illinois has the nation’s highest black unemployment rate

By Michael Lucci

05/20/2017

New Bureau of Labor Statistics data show Illinois’ black residents have an unemployment rate of 12.7 percent, more than double the state’s overall rate.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment, unemployment

BLS jobs report shows weak economy in Illinois, recovery in neighboring states

By Michael Lucci

04/24/2017

Illinois saw a 0.23 percent increase in jobs in the first quarter of 2017, the third-worst growth rate in the region.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, manufacturing, unemployment

Illinois’ employment drought and the oases next door

By Austin Berg

04/06/2017

There are 170,000 fewer people working in Illinois since before the Great Recession.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Great Recession, Indiana, IRS: Internal Revenue Service, manufacturing, outmigration, right to work, U.S. Census Bureau, unemployment, Wisconsin, workers compensation

Wisconsin and Indiana hit new all-time highs for number of people working

By Michael Lucci

04/03/2017

In the last decade, Illinois’ economy and the economies of neighboring states have gone in opposite directions, with more people now working in Wisconsin and Indiana combined.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, Indiana, outmigration, right to work, unemployment, Wisconsin, workers compensation

January jobs growth weak, Illinois labor force in 10-year decline

By Michael Lucci

03/13/2017

Newly released Illinois jobs report points to anemic jobs growth and a contracting labor force.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, labor force participation rate, unemployment

Illinois ended 2016 with highest black unemployment rate of any state

By Michael Lucci

03/02/2017

Illinois had the highest black unemployment rate of any state at the end of 2016, holding that distinction for six consecutive quarters, according to analysis by the Economic Policy Institute. The Land of Lincoln also has the largest gap between its white and black unemployment rates.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs, unemployment

Illinois loses 16,700 jobs in face of new tax hike proposals

By Michael Lucci

01/20/2017

New Illinois jobs data reveal a state with thousands of job losses, unemployment rising to 5.7 percent, a collapsing manufacturing sector, and several downstate communities sliding back into recession — all of which make the Illinois Senate’s new tax hike proposal especially harmful.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, manufacturing, unemployment

October BLS jobs report: Illinois has region’s heaviest manufacturing job losses in 2015 and 2016

By Michael Lucci

11/22/2016

Since the beginning of 2015, Illinois has lost 14,100 manufacturing jobs.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs, unemployment