Everything you need to know about Illinois unemployment

By Brad Weisenstein

05/15/2021

The Illinois Department of Employment Security was ill-prepared to handle record numbers of unemployed workers when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, was slow to distribute federal help, exposed Illinoisans' private information, then lefts thousands on hold awaiting answers. Here's the latest.

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

School closures keep over 28,000 Illinois moms out of work

By Orphe Divounguy

05/07/2021

States that have re-opened schools have also increased labor force participation of mothers, evidence suggests.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, Mother's Day, public schools

Illinois’ unemployment pain hits all regions as recovery lags Midwest

By Bryce Hill

04/22/2021

Illinois’ unemployment rate remains the highest in the Midwest despite March jobs growth. Unemployment is high across the state compared to the region.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, recession, restrictions, unemployment

Illinois’ economy recovering, but continues to lag rest of Midwest

By Bryce Hill

04/16/2021

Illinois’ unemployment rate remains the highest in the Midwest despite March jobs growth

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, JB Pritzker, jobs, unemployment

35% of Illinois’ small businesses are closed a year into COVID-19 restrictions

By Bryce Hill

03/29/2021

More small businesses have closed in Illinois than in any other Midwestern state, except Michigan. Taxing them more as they struggle is the wrong move.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, lockdown, small business, unemployment

552K Illinoisans getting or seeking unemployment benefits a year into COVID-19

By Brad Weisenstein

03/18/2021

A year into COVID-19 and 552,000 Illinois workers are still in need of jobs. Despite that, Gov. J.B. Pritzker is asking for as much as $2 billion in new taxes on the small businesses that create most Illinois jobs.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, JB Pritzker, jobs, unemployment

Hollowed out: Small businesses reflect on one year into a pandemic

By Hilary Gowins

03/18/2021

The pandemic has affected everyone, but the economic fallout has been especially devastating for specific groups. In addition to retailers, restaurant owners and other small business owners, women, working mothers and Black Illinoisans suffered the worst in terms of job losses.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, lockdown, recession, small business

Black Illinoisans twice as likely to have lost jobs in 2020

By Bryce Hill

03/15/2021

Revised figures show 2020 job losses were worse for Black Illinoisans than originally thought. The worst year of job losses in state history disproportionately affected minority Illinoisans.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, restrictions, unemployment

Another bump up for Illinois’ new unemployment claims

By Brad Weisenstein

03/04/2021

Illinois saw new unemployment claims rise for a third week, even as nearly 3 million COVID-19 vaccinations have been given to Illinoisans.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, jobs, unemployment

Illinois unemployment is again on the rise as Pritzker proposes business taxes

By Brad Weisenstein

02/25/2021

Unemployment claims bumped up for a second week in Illinois as Gov. J.B. Pritzker decided to push for 9 new taxes, mostly hitting businesses and job creation. Illinois ranked 49th for recovery last week.

TAGS: budget, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, jobs, labor, taxes, unemployment