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Fed: Illinois unemployment rate 2nd-highest in nation

By Justin Carlson
12/23/2022
Analysis from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia indicates Illinois lost jobs during Q2 rather than gaining, as previously reported. It may still be losing jobs. Illinois ranked No. 2 for highest unemployment in November.

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

Portillo’s expanding in states with better economies than Illinois

By Dylan Sharkey
08/29/2022
Portillo’s CEO Michael Osanloo said the Illinois-based chain is looking to expand in states more friendly to businesses.

TAGS: economy, jobs

Only 1 Illinois metro area has recovered COVID-19 job losses

By Bryce Hill
08/26/2022
Illinois’ lagging pandemic recovery continued across its cities in July. Only 1 metropolitan area has recovered from the pandemic.

TAGS: employment, jobs, unemployment

Illinois unemployment rate is third-highest in the nation, highest in Midwest

By Bryce Hill
08/19/2022
Illinois stands as one of the states with the most to gain – and lose – as the national economy continues to surpass job growth expectations.

TAGS: economic recovery, jobs

10 Illinois metro areas gain jobs, only 1 recovers from pandemic

By Bryce Hill
08/02/2022
Only Bloomington has recouped early 2020 job losses, which is bad news for Illinois’ lagging economy as recession fears increase.

TAGS: Bloomington, COVID-19, economic recovery, jobs, unemployment

Illinois still missing 1 in 7 jobs lost during pandemic

By Bryce Hill
08/01/2022
With the highest unemployment rate in the Midwest and 117,000 jobs still missing, Illinois’ labor market is among the least recovered in the region.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, economic recovery, employment, job creation, jobs

Illinois sees nation’s largest drop in job openings as recession fears grow

By Bryce Hill
07/29/2022
Illinois’ job opening rate declined 1.5 percentage points in May. That’s not a good way to enter a potential recession.

TAGS: Illinois, jobs, recession, unemployment

Illinois adds 18,800 jobs in June, still missing 117,000 from pandemic

By Bryce Hill
07/22/2022
Illinois’ employment recovery continued in June, but the state is still missing one in seven jobs lost during the pandemic.

TAGS: economic recovery, Illinois, jobs, unemployment

US jobs report beats June estimate, but Illinois at greater risk if recession hits

By Bryce Hill
07/14/2022
Illinois is one of the states with the most to gain from the continued national jobs recovery, but could be hit harder than other states by a recession.

TAGS: Illinois, jobs, recession, unemployment

Illinois adds jobs in May, but in just over half of metro areas

By Bryce Hill
07/10/2022
Despite a full year of job gains, all Illinois metropolitan areas are missing jobs since the pandemic began and the recovery stalled. While May brought job gains statewide, only eight metro areas saw gains while seven saw losses.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois, jobs, metro areas, unemployment

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Pensions / Research Report

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective


Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 By contrast, neighboring Wisconsin’s pension system is 103% funded.3 In fiscal year 2022, Illinois’ total gen­eral funds pension costs, includ­ing pension bond...

View Report

Report Archive

Jobs + Growth / Your Story

Cathy Stuehmeier

Labor / Policy Point

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

By Paul Kersey
06/19/2014
Illinois Policy In the News

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students

By Ted Dabrowski
05/02/2016

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