Moody’s: Illinois pension debt-to-revenue ratio hits all-time high for any state

By Adam Schuster

08/31/2018

According to a new report by Moody’s Investors Service, Illinois’ unfunded pension liabilities equaled 601 percent of state revenues in 2017, a U.S. record.

TAGS: bonds, credit rating, debt, employment, harvey, Moody's Investor Service, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, peoria, taxes

Jobs data: After 2017 income tax hike, Illinois slows while nation grows

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

07/02/2018

As national jobs growth kept up a steady clip, Illinois saw jobs growth dip after lawmakers passed a historic tax hike.

TAGS: employment, income tax, jobs, taxes, U.S. Census Bureau

Shrinking communities bode ill for Illinois’ economy

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

05/30/2018

More than three-quarters Illinois communities lost population over the year, and nearly all of the state’s major metro areas are lagging the nation on key economic indicators.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget, employment, income tax, labor force participation rate, outmigration, personal income, population, progressive income tax, spending cap, taxes, U.S. Census Bureau, unemployment

Illinois metro areas add 3,300 jobs in April

By Bryce Hill

05/30/2018

New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show eight of Illinois’ 13 metro areas gained jobs over the month.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment, jobs, unemployment

Illinois last among neighbors, 42nd in the nation for jobs growth in 2017

By Bryce Hill

02/06/2018

Illinoisans have become accustomed to a state economy that lags behind those with better business climates.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment, jobs

Cook County black population falls by 12,000 from 2015-2016

By Michael Lucci

06/24/2017

Cook County has lost nearly 50,000 black residents since the 2010 census, and the rate is accelerating.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, employment, outmigration, population, prevailing wage, unemployment, workers compensation

Illinois has the nation’s highest black unemployment rate

By Michael Lucci

05/20/2017

New Bureau of Labor Statistics data show Illinois’ black residents have an unemployment rate of 12.7 percent, more than double the state’s overall rate.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment, unemployment

Wisconsin and Indiana hit new all-time highs for number of people working

By Michael Lucci

04/03/2017

In the last decade, Illinois’ economy and the economies of neighboring states have gone in opposite directions, with more people now working in Wisconsin and Indiana combined.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, Indiana, outmigration, right to work, unemployment, Wisconsin, workers compensation

Chicago ordinance with good intentions makes job-seeking harder for applicants who are young or black

By Mark Adams

03/30/2016

The unintended consequences of a Chicago credit-check ordinance have harmed young and black workers, and show why lawmakers should focus on repealing the laws preventing employment for Illinoisans, rather than creating new ones.

TAGS: employment

Strong Illinois jobs report in October, but manufacturing losses continue

By Michael Lucci

11/20/2015

New federal jobs data reveal Illinois gained 14,100 jobs overall during October, but lost 1,900 manufacturing jobs during this time.

TAGS: employment, jobs, manufacturing