Experts: Illinois taxpayers carrying 3rd-highest debt burden in nation

By Patrick Andriesen

11/14/2022

Truth in Accounting experts contested Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s claims Illinois is on the best fiscal footing in years, citing chronic underfunding of the state’s nation-leading pension debt. The watchdogs ranked Illinois’ finances third worst among U.S. states.

TAGS: economic recovery, JB Pritzker

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

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

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