Illinois loses 1,100 jobs in October, unemployment rate falls largely from workers giving up

By Bryce Hill

11/20/2020

Jobs data is giving the illusion of economic recovery in Illinois. The reality is 107,530 workers gave up their job searches, and new COVID-19 lockdowns can only hurt more workers.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, income tax, JB Pritzker, jobs, pensions, unemployment

Illinois sees largest increase in new unemployment claims in the nation

By Bryce Hill

11/09/2020

76,338 Illinoisans filed new unemployment claims during the week ending Oct. 31, up more than 23,000 from prior week.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, restrictions, unemployment

Illinois sees worst month of job loss in U.S. ahead of ‘fair tax’ vote

By Bryce Hill

10/22/2020

Illinois lost 12,000 jobs in September and is home to the highest unemployment rate in the Midwest. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” proposal would worsen the state’s jobs climate even more.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, jobs, unemployment

Illinois sees nation’s largest spike in new initial unemployment claims

By Bryce Hill

10/16/2020

Initial unemployment claims in Illinois increased by more than 9,800 last week, the worst spike in the country.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, IDOL: Illinois Department of Labor, unemployment

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 moms take brunt of COVID-19 unemployment

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

07/30/2020

COVID-19 and associated government lockdowns disproportionately harmed women with children at home.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, jobs, unemployment

Illinois workers remain idle despite national rebound

By Bryce Hill

07/28/2020

The state and most of its urban areas are failing to get residents back to work at rates matching the national average.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, jobs, unemployment

Illinois has worst youth employment in Midwest, biggest drop amid COVID-19 pandemic

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Ben Szalinski

07/09/2020

With small businesses and seasonal attractions closed, most of Illinois’ youth find themselves spending a summer without a job. COVID-19 isn’t the only reason, however.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, recession, unemployment

Automatic state worker pay hikes, gas tax hike coming to Illinois July 1

By Brad Weisenstein

06/25/2020

How fair is it that some of the highest-paid state employees in the nation are getting a raise that must be funded by an economically wounded bunch of taxpayers?

TAGS: COVID-19, gas tax, government unions, lawmaker pay, unemployment

Illinois jobs are returning, but not for minority workers

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

06/18/2020

While May’s jobs report showed what could be the beginning of a bounce back in total employment for the state, growth was concentrated primarily among white workers. Black and Hispanic workers were left behind.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, jobs, unemployment