New jobless claims remain several times higher than last year as state begins to test re-opening.

Nearly 1 in 4 Illinoisans find themselves out of work, more than all border states except Kentucky.

Self-employed and gig workers were finally allowed to file for benefits last week, driving the total to nearly 1.1 million Illinoisans seeking help since COVID-19 hit the state’s economy.

The state’s unemployment rate continues to soar as joblessness hits more than 1 in 5 workers.

Small businesses have struggled since their doors were forced to close March 21. A new poll shows 75% of Illinoisans want them to be allowed to reopen now.

‘Restore Illinois’ is short on details about when and how Illinoisans can get back to work.

COVID-19 and measures to contain the disease have resulted in unemployment that’s over 50% higher than the worst months of the Great Recession.

Uncertainty is amplifying the difficulty of the COVID-19 crisis, and Illinoisans need information on what a safe reopening will look like.

The last thing Illinois needs is more bad news for the sake of it. But ignoring this reality threatens to make this crisis worse.