Illinois’ July WARN report shows nearly 1,500 mass layoffs

By Brendan Bakala

08/09/2017

The collar counties were hit hardest by mass layoffs in July.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment, WARN

Illinois’ jobs growth worse than every neighboring state

By Austin Berg, Kevin Angell

07/28/2017

Illinois’ jobs growth over the past year was 40 percent slower than the national average, and lagged even further behind the average of neighboring states.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, unemployment

Illinois unemployment rises slightly despite shrinking workforce

By Kevin Angell

07/22/2017

Illinois’ June jobs data show 4,300 more Illinoisans are unemployed and the state’s labor force is down 20,400 people.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, unemployment

Metro area unemployment: Which states are in reverse? Spotlight Illinois

By Mike "Mish" Shedlock

07/13/2017

The U.S. unemployment rate is 4.4 percent, but unemployment varies widely among the nation’s 388 metro areas.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

More than 50 municipalities have opted out of Cook County’s minimum wage hike, sick days mandate

By Amy Korte

06/26/2017

Municipal leaders have expressed concerns about the anti-competitive, job-killing effects of Cook County’s minimum wage increases and new sick leave law and are using home rule authority to exempt their communities from the requirements.

TAGS: Cook County, jobs, minimum wage, unemployment

Cook County black population falls by 12,000 from 2015-2016

By Michael Lucci

06/24/2017

Cook County has lost nearly 50,000 black residents since the 2010 census, and the rate is accelerating.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, employment, outmigration, population, prevailing wage, unemployment, workers compensation

Forget the unemployment rate, Illinois is in a depression

By Michael Lucci

06/21/2017

Illinois is tied for the worst income growth in the entire U.S.

TAGS: GDP, housing, jobs, personal income, unemployment

BLS data show Illinois would have 250,000 more people working if it kept up with surrounding states

By Michael Lucci

06/21/2017

Illinois has been lagging behind the rest of the region over the last decade, and will continue to do so if the state doesn’t enact necessary economic reforms.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, unemployment

Workforce dropout causes Illinois unemployment to fall slightly

By Michael Lucci

06/15/2017

A new report from the Illinois Department of Employment Security shows Illinois had a modest net gain of 2,400 jobs in May, but still has fewer jobs today than before the Great Recession began.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, unemployment

Sears to cut 400 jobs, despite state, local tax breaks

By Brendan Bakala

06/14/2017

Sears Holdings has dropped below the job threshold necessary to qualify for the $15 million in annual state tax credits for which it was once eligible.

TAGS: Economic Development Area, jobs, Sears, tax credits, unemployment