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

What a recession would mean for Illinois

By Bryce Hill

07/28/2022

Politicians and pundits can’t seem to agree about whether the U.S. is in a recession, but the semantics matter little for struggling Americans. Illinois can expect economic pain regardless of what it’s called.

TAGS: GDP: gross domestic product, Illinois, recession

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’ state policy choices boost threat from potential U.S. recession

By Orphe Divounguy, Ann Miller

05/27/2022

Illinois is already behind the national pandemic recovery. As the risk of recession increases, Illinoisans could fall farther behind.

TAGS: COVID-19, economic recovery, Illinois, recession

One year later, Illinois’ jobs recovery from COVID-19 among slowest in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

05/22/2021

Job losses peaked in April 2020 amid COVID-19 and state-mandated shutdowns. In the year-long recovery since, Illinois’ has been among the nation’s slowest.

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

Illinois recovery stalls as state sheds 4,000 private sector jobs in April

By Bryce Hill

05/21/2021

While total payrolls were up 300, private sector jobs took a beating in April and lost 4,000 positions. Illinois’ labor market completely stalled as the national economic recovery slowed.

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

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

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...

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

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Linda Ekendahl

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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