Illinois adds 20,300 jobs in a year, but 301,000 seek work in July

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

08/20/2025

Illinois continues to be one of the slowest growing economies in the nation, ranking 46th in post-pandemic job recovery and adding just 20,300 jobs in the past year. Unemployment remained above the national average.

Businesses moving out of Illinois triples since pandemic

By Bryce Hill

08/12/2025

Illinois lost 218 businesses to other states in 2023, part of an acceleration to triple the rate of what losses were before the pandemic. When adjusted for population, Illinois ranked No. 2 for the most business losses.

Illinois’ unemployment rank hits 12th in U.S.: best since pandemic

By Jack Knorr

07/25/2025

Illinois was No. 12 in the U.S. for its June unemployment rate. It’s not been ranked that low since before the pandemic. Still, the state trails the national average thanks to anemic private-sector growth.

TAGS: unemployment

Illinois adds 21,200 jobs, but trails most neighboring states in growth

By Jack Knorr

07/01/2025

Despite Illinois experiencing job growth in some sectors, it remains one of the states with the highest unemployment rates. It’s been that way for 66 of the 77 months J.B. Pritzker has been governor thanks to high taxes and too much state spending.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Health Alliance closing costs Champaign 612 jobs; Illinois layoffs hit 1,477

By Patrick Andriesen

06/10/2025

Illinois companies announced 1,477 mass layoffs during May. The highest concentration of cuts impacted Champaign after one of the state’s largest health insurers, Health Alliance, announced it would end coverage and halt operations.

TAGS: jobs

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

By Josh Bandoch, Lauren Zuar

06/03/2025

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

Vallas: Pritzker for president? Check that Illinois baggage.

By Paul Vallas

05/26/2025

As Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker positions himself as the foil to President Donald Trump, a look at his record as governor is telling. What it is telling is not good.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, jobs, taxes

Illinois sees 1,023 mass layoffs, over half from business closures

By Patrick Andriesen

05/16/2025

Illinois companies announced 1,023 mass layoffs in April, with more than half from business closures. One-fifth of Illinois job cuts resulted from a lost contract to manage McCormick Place in Chicago.

One-third of Illinois’ March layoffs hit Chicago security firm

By Patrick Andriesen

04/15/2025

Illinois companies announced 947 mass layoffs in March. All but 21 of the job cuts were permanent.

TAGS: Chicago, jobs, unemployment

Illinois’ February unemployment rate 5th highest in U.S.

By Ravi Mishra

04/10/2025

Unemployment in Illinois remains stubbornly high. February’s unemployment rate was the fifth highest in the nation at 4.8%.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Illinois adds 20,300 jobs in a year, but 301,000 seek work in July

Businesses moving out of Illinois triples since pandemic

Illinois’ unemployment rank hits 12th in U.S.: best since pandemic

Illinois adds 21,200 jobs, but trails most neighboring states in growth

Health Alliance closing costs Champaign 612 jobs; Illinois layoffs hit 1,477

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Vallas: Pritzker for president? Check that Illinois baggage.

Illinois sees 1,023 mass layoffs, over half from business closures

One-third of Illinois’ March layoffs hit Chicago security firm

Illinois’ February unemployment rate 5th highest in U.S.

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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