Illinois loses 27,400 hospitality sector jobs in November amid indoor dining ban

By Bryce Hill

12/18/2020

Illinois’ jobs numbers have slipped for the second time in the past three months as the rest of the nation steadily recovers.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, JB Pritzker, jobs, recession

Pritzker calls for $700M in service cuts, silent on pension reform

By Brad Weisenstein

12/17/2020

Illinois’ current budget started out at a deficit, hoped for a tax increase that was rejected and counted on a federal bail-out that never came. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s best fix is pension reform.

TAGS: budget, COVID-19, deficit, JB Pritzker, pensions

Illinois unemployment claims approaching COVID-19 lockdown levels

By Brad Weisenstein

12/17/2020

New unemployment claims are rising in Illinois, hitting 142,745 last week as COVID-19 restrictions continue.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, JB Pritzker

Shop Small gets smaller in Illinois, with 11,200 fewer shop owners

By Bryce Hill

11/24/2020

Ownership of bars and restaurants also has declined over 70%, thanks to COVID-19 and associated restrictions

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, lockdown, small business

Illinois loses 1,100 jobs in October, unemployment rate falls largely from workers giving up

By Bryce Hill

11/20/2020

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.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, income tax, JB Pritzker, jobs, pensions, unemployment

Illinois sees largest increase in new unemployment claims in the nation

By Bryce Hill

11/09/2020

76,338 Illinoisans filed new unemployment claims during the week ending Oct. 31, up more than 23,000 from prior week.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, restrictions, unemployment

Pritzker closes indoor dining throughout Illinois starting Nov. 4

11/02/2020

All of Illinois will be under tighter restrictions starting Wednesday, with Gov. J.B. Pritzker imposing an indoor dining ban as his answer to the spread of COVID-19.

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

Illinois spent $4.18 million nudging voters who did not request mail-in ballots

By Brad Weisenstein

10/30/2020

When Illinois state lawmakers wrote the mail-in voting law, they decided voters who did not seek a mail-in ballot should receive a letter from the state, and then another.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, vote-by-mail

Pritzker reacts to warning about closed polling places, vows COVID-19 won’t close them

By Brad Weisenstein

10/30/2020

Executive orders could impact the election and are impacting Illinois restaurants and bars. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is being asked for some assurances and the data behind his science.

TAGS: COVID-19, Election Day, emergency, JB Pritzker

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

COVID-19

Illinois loses 27,400 hospitality sector jobs in November amid indoor dining ban

Pritzker calls for $700M in service cuts, silent on pension reform

Illinois unemployment claims approaching COVID-19 lockdown levels

Shop Small gets smaller in Illinois, with 11,200 fewer shop owners

Illinois loses 1,100 jobs in October, unemployment rate falls largely from workers giving up

Illinois sees largest increase in new unemployment claims in the nation

Pritzker closes indoor dining throughout Illinois starting Nov. 4

Illinois spent $4.18 million nudging voters who did not request mail-in ballots

Pritzker reacts to warning about closed polling places, vows COVID-19 won’t close them

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

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students