Illinois still missing 1 in 7 jobs lost during pandemic

By Bryce Hill

08/01/2022

With the highest unemployment rate in the Midwest and 117,000 jobs still missing, Illinois’ labor market is among the least recovered in the region.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, economic recovery, employment, job creation, jobs

8 Illinois metro areas fail to add jobs in April; just 1 recovers from pandemic

06/17/2022

Illinois’ overall job numbers continue to rise, but the recovery is spotty. Over half of the metropolitan areas failed to add jobs in April.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, employment, job creation, jobs

COVID-19 tests, masks required to see some of Illinois State Fair

By Noah Shaar

08/10/2021

2021’s Illinois State Fair will require all visitors to wear masks indoors and prove vaccination or a negative test to enter certain venues.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, Illinois, JB Pritzker, masks, Springfield, State Fair, vaccine

Illinois unemployment claims double

By Brad Weisenstein

01/14/2021

Illinois unemployment numbers dropped for a week during the holidays, but they were back up last week as the state's hospitality industry remains out in the cold.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, jobs, unemployment

Everything you need to know about COVID-19 in Illinois

By Brad Weisenstein

01/08/2021

This page will be updated daily to reflect developments related to the spread of COVID-19 in Illinois.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, IDPH: Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois, JB Pritzker, Lori Lightfoot

Pritzker extends mask mandate for another 150 days

By Brad Weisenstein

01/06/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker continues to run the state’s COVID-19 response by executive mandate, with state lawmakers still silent 10 months into the pandemic.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, emergency, JB Pritzker, restrictions

Pritzker locks down more Illinois regions, again hitting struggling bars and restaurants

By Bryce Hill

10/29/2020

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.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, JB Pritzker, small business

Judge allows restaurant to stay open for indoor dining despite Pritzker’s executive order

By Joe Tabor

10/28/2020

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.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, JB Pritzker

Illinois sees worst month of job loss in U.S. ahead of ‘fair tax’ vote

By Bryce Hill

10/22/2020

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.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, jobs, unemployment

Pritzker issues 9th emergency declaration to extend COVID-19 powers

By Joe Tabor

10/21/2020

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has issued a ninth disaster proclamation, extending his emergency powers for another 30 days over all of Illinois.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, emergency, executive order, JB Pritzker