Forget the unemployment rate, Illinois is in a depression

By Michael Lucci

06/21/2017

Illinois is tied for the worst income growth in the entire U.S.

TAGS: GDP, housing, jobs, personal income, unemployment

BLS data show Illinois would have 250,000 more people working if it kept up with surrounding states

By Michael Lucci

06/21/2017

Illinois has been lagging behind the rest of the region over the last decade, and will continue to do so if the state doesn’t enact necessary economic reforms.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, unemployment

Amazon may employ 8,000 people in Illinois by end of 2018

By Brendan Bakala

06/16/2017

The Romeoville fulfillment center is one of several Illinois facilities Amazon has opened or plans to open in the coming years. For some of those locations, Amazon has signed deals with the state of Illinois worth tens of millions in potential tax credits.

TAGS: Amazon, jobs, tax credits

Workforce dropout causes Illinois unemployment to fall slightly

By Michael Lucci

06/15/2017

A new report from the Illinois Department of Employment Security shows Illinois had a modest net gain of 2,400 jobs in May, but still has fewer jobs today than before the Great Recession began.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, unemployment

Illinois companies announce more than 2,100 mass layoffs in May

By Brendan Bakala

06/15/2017

1,120 of the jobs lost were in manufacturing and food processing.

TAGS: Aurora, jobs, manufacturing

Sears to cut 400 jobs, despite state, local tax breaks

By Brendan Bakala

06/14/2017

Sears Holdings has dropped below the job threshold necessary to qualify for the $15 million in annual state tax credits for which it was once eligible.

TAGS: Economic Development Area, jobs, Sears, tax credits, unemployment

Negligent hiring liability reforms stall in Illinois

By Hilary Gowins

06/05/2017

With the right liability reforms, Illinois can protect businesses and make them more likely to give ex-offenders a chance at employment. Unfortunately, a bill that would have made this reform a reality stalled in the Illinois House of Representatives this session.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, jobs

1.8 million Illinoisans are dependent on food stamps

By Brendan Bakala

05/30/2017

March 2017 saw 15,000 more Illinoisans on food stamps than March 2016, while the number of Indiana SNAP recipients dropped from March 2016 to March 2017.

TAGS: food stamps, Indiana, jobs, SNAP, unemployment

Illinois loses 7,200 jobs in April, workforce shrinks by 17,800

By Michael Lucci

05/19/2017

Illinois still has 25,600 fewer jobs compared with the year 2000. Illinois is one of the only states in the country to have fewer jobs today than at the turn of the century.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, unemployment

Butterball to close Montgomery-based plant, costing 600 jobs

By Brendan Bakala

05/18/2017

The plant will close its doors by July 17 and offer some employees relocation opportunities.

TAGS: jobs, Kane County, manufacturing, Montgomery