BLS data show Illinois would have 250,000 more people working if it kept up with surrounding states

By Michael Lucci

06/21/2017

Illinois has been lagging behind the rest of the region over the last decade, and will continue to do so if the state doesn’t enact necessary economic reforms.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, unemployment

1.8 million Illinoisans are dependent on food stamps

By Brendan Bakala

05/30/2017

March 2017 saw 15,000 more Illinoisans on food stamps than March 2016, while the number of Indiana SNAP recipients dropped from March 2016 to March 2017.

TAGS: food stamps, Indiana, jobs, SNAP, unemployment

Illinois’ economic weakness results in nation’s highest black unemployment rate

By Michael Lucci

05/22/2017

Only 51 percent of black adults reported having some form of work in Illinois.

Illinois has the nation’s highest black unemployment rate

By Michael Lucci

05/20/2017

New Bureau of Labor Statistics data show Illinois’ black residents have an unemployment rate of 12.7 percent, more than double the state’s overall rate.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment, unemployment

SB 1905 designed to ban local Right to Work in Illinois

By Jim Long

05/20/2017

The Illinois House Labor and Commerce Committee has passed a bill to prohibit municipalities in Illinois from enacting local Right-to-Work measures. The bill now heads to the full House of Representatives for a hearing.

TAGS: collective bargaining, Illinois House of Representatives, labor, local government, right to work, unions

Illinois’ youth problem: More millennials left Illinois than any other age demographic from 2011 through 2014

By Madelyn Harwood

05/17/2017

By fixing cost drivers, decreasing the cost of doing business in Illinois, and easing the tax burden, Illinois can encourage jobs growth and stand a better chance at attracting and retaining younger people.

Indiana has added five times more union members than Illinois since passing Right to Work

By Michael Lucci

05/09/2017

Indiana’s sharp rise in union members is due to its robust economic growth and increase in manufacturing jobs, while Illinois’ economy continues to lose factories and sees little growth in union members.

TAGS: Indiana, jobs, labor, manufacturing, right to work, unions, workers compensation

Illinois trails surrounding states in post-recession employment growth

By Madelyn Harwood

05/08/2017

Illinois still has 144,000 fewer people working compared with the state’s pre-recession employment level, while surrounding states have all experienced employment growth.

TAGS: Great Recession, jobs, outmigration, unemployment

Illinois Senate bill intended to kill local worker freedom laws in Illinois

By Amy Korte

05/03/2017

The Illinois Senate has passed a bill to overturn municipal Right-to-Work ordinances and prevent Illinois localities from expanding worker freedom in their communities.

TAGS: Ira Silverstein, labor, right to work, unions

BLS jobs report shows weak economy in Illinois, recovery in neighboring states

By Michael Lucci

04/24/2017

Illinois saw a 0.23 percent increase in jobs in the first quarter of 2017, the third-worst growth rate in the region.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, manufacturing, unemployment

Bureau of Labor Statistics

BLS data show Illinois would have 250,000 more people working if it kept up with surrounding states

1.8 million Illinoisans are dependent on food stamps

Illinois’ economic weakness results in nation’s highest black unemployment rate

Illinois has the nation’s highest black unemployment rate

SB 1905 designed to ban local Right to Work in Illinois

Illinois’ youth problem: More millennials left Illinois than any other age demographic from 2011 through 2014

Indiana has added five times more union members than Illinois since passing Right to Work

Illinois trails surrounding states in post-recession employment growth

Illinois Senate bill intended to kill local worker freedom laws in Illinois

BLS jobs report shows weak economy in Illinois, recovery in neighboring states

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