Bureau of Labor Statistics

A Jobs Governor?

06/21/2010
by Kristina Rasmussen Governor Pat Quinn fancies himself the “jobs governor.” Let’s see if the numbers hold up. From the Bureau of Labor Statistics: Quinn’s first month in office: February 2009 February 2009 employment: 6,035,873 Illinoisans February 2009 unemployment rate: 8.7 percent Quinn “jobs governor” claim: June 2010 April 2010 employment (latest available): 5,943,140 Illinoisans April 2010...

Spotlight on Spending #1: The Disparity Between Public Sector and Statewide Salaries

By Kate Campaigne Piercy
06/02/2010
The Problem Historically, public employees have faced a trade-off: lower wages than the private sector in exchange for job security and generous benefits. That trade-off, however, has been disappearing over the years as government employees enjoy steady increases in wages, even during economic downturns. Meanwhile, businesses in the private sector must cut back or at...

Library Technicians on the State Payroll

05/17/2010
In 2008, library technicians on the state payroll received average annual wages over 60% higher than the average annual wages of library technicians in Illinois.

Welders on the State Payroll

05/12/2010
Welders working for the Illinois Toll Highway Authority received average annual wages 73% higher than the average for welders in Illinois.

Baker on the State Payroll

05/11/2010
In 2008, the Department of Human Services had a baker on their payroll receiving $34,628 in annual wages.

Social Workers on State Payroll

04/28/2010
In 2008, social workers in all of Illinois made 17% less, on average, than social workers employed by the State of Illinois.