Fewer homes on market, higher prices for Illinois buyers

By LyLena Estabine

01/08/2026

Elevated prices thanks to low inventory continued to create problems for Illinois homebuyers in November.

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

Nine of 15 Illinois metros add jobs in December as employment gains trail nation

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

02/05/2025

New data shows nine of 15 Illinois metropolitan areas added jobs in December as the state gained 8,800 jobs. Ten metro areas reported higher unemployment than the national average.

Only 6 of 15 Illinois metro areas gained jobs in October

By Patrick Andriesen

12/04/2024

New data shows only six of 15 Illinois metropolitan areas added jobs in October as the state shed 2,400 jobs. Twelve metro areas reported higher unemployment than the national average.

TAGS: jobs

Building not permitted: Building permits in Illinois are a barrier to housing affordability

By Joe Tabor

09/26/2024

Published Sept. 26, 2024 Illinois is in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. Over a third of residents are considered “burdened” by housing costs, meaning they pay over 30% of their income on costs related to housing. That is a greater portion of residents burdened by housing than any other state in the Midwest....

Downstate areas lag Chicago, Midwest in house building permits

By Joe Tabor

07/22/2024

Out of 90 Midwestern metropolitan areas, Illinois has four in the bottom 10 for new housing per capita in 2023. Housing affordability is directly linked to getting units built.

TAGS: housing

Chicago lags as 8 of 13 Illinois metro areas add jobs in April

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

05/23/2024

Illinois grew jobs in eight of its 13 metropolitan areas during April, but the Chicago area’s sluggish growth and a stubbornly high unemployment rate tempered any gains.

TAGS: jobs, metro areas, unemployment

9 Illinois metro areas add jobs in March, 6 await pandemic recovery

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

04/19/2024

Job gains in Illinois’ metropolitan areas were off to a slow start in 2024. Six areas remain behind where they were before the pandemic.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment

10 Illinois metro areas add jobs in February, 5 await pandemic recovery

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

03/22/2024

10 of the 13 Illinois metro areas added jobs from January 2024 to February 2024, led by the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area. Five still reported fewer jobs than prior to the pandemic.

6 Illinois metro areas await pandemic recovery, just 6 add jobs in January

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

03/11/2024

Six of the 13 Illinois metro areas still reported fewer jobs than prior to the pandemic. Six metros added jobs from December 2023 to January 2024, led by the Champaign-Urbana area.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Bloomington

Fewer homes on market, higher prices for Illinois buyers

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

Nine of 15 Illinois metros add jobs in December as employment gains trail nation

Only 6 of 15 Illinois metro areas gained jobs in October

Building not permitted: Building permits in Illinois are a barrier to housing affordability

Downstate areas lag Chicago, Midwest in house building permits

Chicago lags as 8 of 13 Illinois metro areas add jobs in April

9 Illinois metro areas add jobs in March, 6 await pandemic recovery

10 Illinois metro areas add jobs in February, 5 await pandemic recovery

6 Illinois metro areas await pandemic recovery, just 6 add jobs in January

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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