Job growth was healthy across the nation in November with a gain of 227,000. Illinois’ metropolitan areas lost 3,400, with Peoria losing at the fastest rate.
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.
Illinois’ job market outpaced the national average during August. But 13 of Illinois’ 15 metropolitan areas continued to have higher unemployment rates than the national average.
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....
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.
Despite some growth, high unemployment remains an issue in Illinois. All 15 metropolitan areas showed higher rates of unemployment than the national average.
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.
Seven of 13 Illinois metro areas added jobs from November to December 2023, led by the St. Louis area. Five metros still reported fewer jobs than prior to the pandemic.
Illinois students could soon benefit from scholarship money to help them find a tutor, attend ACT or SAT prep sessions, pay tuition, get special education services or assist with other academic needs. That will happen in Illinois only if Gov. J.B. Pritzker lets the state’s schoolchildren benefit from the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program, established...