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

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 unemployment benefits stolen as state fails to implement basic security

08/21/2020

The Illinois Department of Employment Security troubles included scores of unemployed unable to get benefits, nearly 32,500 Social Security numbers exposed and now benefits theft. A simple fix used by many online retailers could have prevented the thefts.

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

Monthly jobs report fails to show depth of Illinois job losses

By Bryce Hill

08/20/2020

IDES estimated unemployment rate remains artificially low because it fails to count nearly 238,000 Illinoisans who have given up trying to find a job.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs

Pritzker could have saved nearly 32,000 jobs during COVID-19 downturn

By Bryce Hill

08/13/2020

Illinois is the largest state without a short-time compensation plan, increasing the chances nearly 32,000 job losses will be permanent.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, recession

Illinois’ economy likely shrank by $86 billion during Q2, national data suggests

By Bryce Hill

08/06/2020

Data published last week by the Bureau of Economic Analysis revealed that U.S. gross domestic product shrank at an annualized rate of -32.9% during the second quarter.

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

Illinois’ COVID-19 jobs rebound is among nation’s weakest

By Bryce Hill

08/01/2020

Most other states have recouped more of their February-April job losses from the pandemic shutdowns than Illinois.

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

Illinois worst among Midwest, neighbor states for unemployed staying idle

By Bryce Hill

07/20/2020

Continued unemployment claims in Illinois remain virtually unchanged since mid-April. Other states are getting back to work.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs

Illinois still logs nearly 38,000 unemployment claims as Pritzker replaces employment chief

07/16/2020

The Illinois Department of Employment Security has been under fire throughout the COVID-19 pandemic as millions waited for unemployment relief.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, JB Pritzker, jobs

As many as 21,700 restaurants could close permanently from COVID-19 economic fallout

By Bryce Hill

07/02/2020

The most optimistic forecast shows 20% of Illinois’ food service business closures will be permanent. But up to 85% of restaurants expect to close permanently.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, small business

IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security

Illinois unemployment claims approaching COVID-19 lockdown levels

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

Illinois unemployment benefits stolen as state fails to implement basic security

Monthly jobs report fails to show depth of Illinois job losses

Pritzker could have saved nearly 32,000 jobs during COVID-19 downturn

Illinois’ economy likely shrank by $86 billion during Q2, national data suggests

Illinois’ COVID-19 jobs rebound is among nation’s weakest

Illinois worst among Midwest, neighbor states for unemployed staying idle

Illinois still logs nearly 38,000 unemployment claims as Pritzker replaces employment chief

As many as 21,700 restaurants could close permanently from COVID-19 economic fallout

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