Illinois unemployment rate is third-highest in the nation, highest in Midwest

By Bryce Hill

08/19/2022

Illinois stands as one of the states with the most to gain – and lose – as the national economy continues to surpass job growth expectations.

TAGS: economic recovery, jobs

Illinois adds 31,200 jobs in July, still missing 88,600 from pandemic

By Bryce Hill

08/19/2022

Illinois’ employment recovery continued in July, but the state is still missing nearly 1 in 9 jobs lost during the pandemic.

TAGS: economic recovery, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security

Fact check: Illinois’ economic recovery under Pritzker among worst in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

08/02/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s newest campaign ad credits him with fixing state finances and boasts of Illinois’ job growth. Both are among the worst in the nation.

TAGS: Caterpillar, Citadel, economic growth, economic recovery, economy, JB Pritzker

10 Illinois metro areas gain jobs, only 1 recovers from pandemic

By Bryce Hill

08/02/2022

Only Bloomington has recouped early 2020 job losses, which is bad news for Illinois’ lagging economy as recession fears increase.

TAGS: Bloomington, COVID-19, economic recovery, jobs, unemployment

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

Illinois adds 18,800 jobs in June, still missing 117,000 from pandemic

By Bryce Hill

07/22/2022

Illinois’ employment recovery continued in June, but the state is still missing one in seven jobs lost during the pandemic.

TAGS: economic recovery, Illinois, jobs, unemployment

Illinois’ state policy choices boost threat from potential U.S. recession

By Orphe Divounguy, Ann Miller

05/27/2022

Illinois is already behind the national pandemic recovery. As the risk of recession increases, Illinoisans could fall farther behind.

TAGS: COVID-19, economic recovery, Illinois, recession

Amendment 1 will make bad Illinois business climate worse

By Ann Miller

05/17/2022

A Rockford family and their trucking business are being driven out of Illinois by high taxes and bad public policies. If voters agree Nov. 8 to enshrining public union power in the Illinois Constitution, expect more businesses and workers to leave.

TAGS: Amendment 1, economic recovery, government unions, unemployment

Illinois marks 10th month of job gains, but still missing 1-in-5 jobs

By Bryce Hill

05/12/2022

Illinois is steadily adding jobs lost during the COVID-19 economic downturn, but despite 10 months of gains the state recovery lags the nation. Some metropolitan areas are far behind where they were.

TAGS: COVID-19, economic recovery, jobs, unemployment

Union power vote, population loss threaten Illinois’ labor market recovery

By Bryce Hill

04/28/2022

Key indicators show Illinois’ labor market could begin adding jobs faster than the national economy if population decline and Amendment 1 don’t derail the state’s trajectory.

TAGS: COVID-19, economic recovery, Illinois, jobs, unemployment

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 By contrast, neighboring Wisconsin’s pension system is 103% funded.3 In fiscal year 2022, Illinois’ total general funds pension costs, including pension bond...

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Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

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The Rev. Phalese Binion

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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