Manufacturing weakness driving Illinois unemployment up; dropout and out-migration driving unemployment down.

Illinois’ preliminary jobs report shows the unemployment rate dropped to 5.8 percent in July due to large numbers of residents dropping out of the labor force for the third consecutive month.

Illinois’ July WARN report marks a 59% increase in layoffs from June’s numbers, as well as an uptick in manufacturing job losses.

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan criticizes Gov. Bruce Rauner’s economic reform ideas and offers only growth-killing tax hikes for Illinoisans in need of better jobs and income.

A new study by The Pew Charitable Trusts shows Illinois trails all states but Nevada in personal income growth since the Great Recession, with a growth rate half that of Illinois’ neighbors.

The month of June saw Illinois continue to lose jobs, as the state’s long-term economic woes continue to push workers out of the state.

Moline, Ill.-based agricultural equipment maker will cut more than 100 jobs by September; Illinois’ manufacturing workers continue to struggle for job opportunities enjoyed by their counterparts in the region.

Illinois lost 2,200 jobs in June, and its unemployment rate dropped to 6.2 percent as more Illinoisans exited the labor force.

Every five minutes, Illinois loses a resident to another state.