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.

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.

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.

Portillo’s CEO Michael Osanloo said the Illinois-based chain is looking to expand in states more friendly to businesses.

Illinois’ lagging pandemic recovery continued across its cities in July. Only 1 metropolitan area has recovered from the pandemic.

Illinois stands as one of the states with the most to gain – and lose – as the national economy continues to surpass job growth expectations.

Only Bloomington has recouped early 2020 job losses, which is bad news for Illinois’ lagging economy as recession fears increase.

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.

Illinois’ job opening rate declined 1.5 percentage points in May. That’s not a good way to enter a potential recession.

Illinois’ employment recovery continued in June, but the state is still missing one in seven jobs lost during the pandemic.