Illinois’ unemployment pain hits all regions as recovery lags Midwest

By Bryce Hill

04/22/2021

Illinois’ unemployment rate remains the highest in the Midwest despite March jobs growth. Unemployment is high across the state compared to the region.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, recession, restrictions, unemployment

Hollowed out: Small businesses reflect on one year into a pandemic

By Hilary Gowins

03/18/2021

The pandemic has affected everyone, but the economic fallout has been especially devastating for specific groups. In addition to retailers, restaurant owners and other small business owners, women, working mothers and Black Illinoisans suffered the worst in terms of job losses.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, lockdown, recession, small business

Illinois’ leisure and hospitality industry among hardest hit in Midwest

By Bryce Hill

02/18/2021

The industry had been one of the bright spots in the Illinois economy but COVID-19 and state-mandated mitigation efforts have decimated it.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, jobs, recession, restaurants

Every metropolitan area in Illinois shed jobs in 2020

By Bryce Hill

02/09/2021

The record year for job losses hit every corner of Illinois amid COVID-19 and state-mandated lockdowns.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, recession, unemployment

2021 State of the State: Illinois economy weak before COVID-19

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

01/31/2021

Illinois’ weak economic foundations and fiscal mismanagement were preexisting conditions that caused it to suffer a deeper COVID-19 downturn. They will also hurt its recovery.

TAGS: budget, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, recession, State of the State

Pritzker wants $500M tax hike on Illinois small businesses

By Adam Schuster

01/13/2021

Congress provided tax benefits for business losses in the CARES Act to help offset economic challenges during the pandemic. Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to undo that relief to raise revenue for Illinois.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, recession, small business, tax hikes

Illinois loses 27,400 hospitality sector jobs in November amid indoor dining ban

By Bryce Hill

12/18/2020

Illinois’ jobs numbers have slipped for the second time in the past three months as the rest of the nation steadily recovers.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, JB Pritzker, jobs, recession

Illinoisans 51% more likely to be laid off, 21% less likely to be hired than U.S. average

By Bryce Hill

09/17/2020

While Illinois claws back jobs from the COVID-19 associated downturn, in-depth analysis shows why the state is struggling more than most other states’ economies.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, jobs, recession, unemployment

Illinois’ mortgage delinquency rate highest in Midwest amid largest spike in state’s history

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

09/03/2020

Delinquent mortgages nearly doubled to 124,000 amid COVID-19’s soaring unemployment, and inaction by state and local governments.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, mortgage, recession

Illinois unemployment benefits stolen as state fails to implement basic security

By Joe Barnas

08/21/2020

The Illinois Department of Employment Security troubles included scores of unemployed unable to get benefits, nearly 32,500 Social Security numbers exposed and now benefits theft. A simple fix used by many online retailers could have prevented the thefts.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, JB Pritzker, recession