Illinois’ employment recovery continued in January, but the state remains far from a full recovery and still lags the nation.

Black workers in Illinois face much higher unemployment rates than other Black workers in the nation and than their white peers in Illinois. Investing in MAP grants rather than spending more on public pensions could make a difference.

Revisions show Illinois added 17,400 more jobs in 2021 than previously thought, but the state’s recovery still significantly lags the U.S. recovery rate.

Gov. J.B Pritzker’s latest campaign ad praises his support for small businesses even though his policies contributed to one of the nation’s largest small business closures.

Population decline has shrunk Illinois’ workforce and the relative size of the state economy. Attracting more workers from other states starts with lowering the cost of living, decreasing pension costs and debt, and improving the state’s social services.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois’ economic recovery in 2021 lagged other states. A lack of in-person schooling, fewer economic opportunities and high taxes only exacerbated the ongoing population loss.

Nearly 17% of the jobs held by Black Illinoisans prior to the COVID-19 pandemic are still missing, nearly triple the loss of white Illinoisans.

Despite adding 262,600 jobs in 2021, Illinois is still a long way off from a full recovery from the COVID-19 economic downturn.

November job gains in Illinois were below the COVID-19 recovery pace set earlier in the year. They continued to lag the national recovery.