Illinois loses jobs in January, metro areas lag U.S. job growth

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

03/24/2025

Illinois’ job market continued to struggle in January as the national economy grew. The job troubles were seen in eight of Illinois’ 13 metropolitan areas, with Champaign-Urbana hit the hardest.

TAGS: unemployment

Illinois companies announce 1,666 mass layoffs in February

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

03/11/2025

Illinois companies announced 1,666 mass layoffs in February, with more than 4-in-5 impacting workers in Cook County. Schaumburg alone accounted for one-third of job losses.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Illinois unemployment still 3rd highest in U.S.

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

01/28/2025

Illinois continues to maintain a sluggish job market and high unemployment. The December unemployment rate was third highest in the nation, where it has remained for months.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Mass layoffs hit 14.7K Illinoisans in 2024, most from business closures

By Patrick Andriesen

01/15/2025

State reports show 14,723 Illinoisans lost their jobs because of mass layoffs during 2024, with two-thirds resulting from business closures.

TAGS: Illinois, unemployment

Nearly 9 in 10 layoffs in November from businesses closing

By Patrick Andriesen

12/31/2024

Nearly 9 in 10 of the Illinois job losses announced in November resulted from businesses closing. Chicago led the state for layoffs, followed by Rockford.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Illinois unemployment No. 3 in U.S. during November

By Ravi Mishra

12/23/2024

Illinois is caught in a sluggish job market with persistently high unemployment. It was third-highest in the U.S. again during November.

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

Illinois No. 3 for highest unemployment in October

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

11/20/2024

October job numbers for Illinois remained disappointing, with an unemployment rate that was third highest in the nation. There are 346,000 Illinoisans who need a job.

TAGS: unemployment

Unemployment persists in Illinois metro areas during August

By Ravi Mishra

10/03/2024

Illinois’ job market outpaced the national average during August. But 13 of Illinois’ 15 metropolitan areas continued to have higher unemployment rates than the national average.

TAGS: unemployment

Illinois unemployment hits 2nd highest in U.S.

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

09/20/2024

The Fed just cut interest rates over worries about the national jobs outlook, but in Illinois unemployment has been a persistent problem. Tax and state economic policy should get much of the blame.

TAGS: unemployment

Unemployment rates remain high across Illinois metro areas

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

08/29/2024

Despite Illinois’ job market outpacing the national average, all 15 metro areas continue to have higher unemployment rates than the national average.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment