New John Deere layoffs follow Illinois losing 1,124 jobs in May

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

07/02/2024

Declining demand has John Deere planning 600 layoffs, including 280 in Illinois, by the end of August. Illinois already had companies planning to cut 1,124 jobs in May, hitting janitorial services providers, collection agencies and packaging industries.

TAGS: jobs

Oppressive regulations leave thousands of jobs unfilled

By Larry Han

06/17/2024

The jobs are there. The people to fill them are there. The only thing standing in the way is Illinois’ overreaching state regulations and job licensing.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Workers penalized just for living in Illinois

By Kurtis Karg, Dylan Sharkey

05/31/2024

Illinois workers are at a disadvantage compared to people in other states with the same job. Illinois’ 4.8% unemployment rate is third-highest in the nation.

TAGS: jobs

Chicago lags as 8 of 13 Illinois metro areas add jobs in April

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

05/23/2024

Illinois grew jobs in eight of its 13 metropolitan areas during April, but the Chicago area’s sluggish growth and a stubbornly high unemployment rate tempered any gains.

TAGS: jobs, metro areas, unemployment

6 Illinois metro areas await pandemic recovery, just 6 add jobs in January

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

03/11/2024

Six of the 13 Illinois metro areas still reported fewer jobs than prior to the pandemic. Six metros added jobs from December 2023 to January 2024, led by the Champaign-Urbana area.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

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

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families  

America is facing a housing affordability crisis. According to a 2022 survey, 73% of Americans said the average person could not afford a home in their area, and 69% were worried about their children and grandchildren being able to afford a home. That’s unfair. Everyone deserves a good roof over their heads. Housing affordability problems...

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Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

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James Kirchner

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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