Illinois unemployment rate is worst in U.S.

By Justin Carlson

10/25/2022

Illinois added 14,900 jobs in September, but its unemployment rate was the highest in the nation. Inflation and growing recession fears could hit the state harder than most.

Illinois businesses on hook for $1.4 billion in state unemployment debt

By Dylan Sharkey

10/06/2022

Illinois will contribute $450 million to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. With $1.4 billion in debt remaining, Illinois businesses are on the hook if lawmakers don’t meet the Nov. 10 deadline.

Southern Illinois taxpayers spend $124.5M since 2002 to keep airport open

By Brad Weisenstein

09/28/2022

An underused airport near Belleville, Illinois, has required local taxpayers to chip in $124.5 million since 2002 to keep it operating.

TAGS: MidAmerica Airport

High inflation could lead to property tax hikes in Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen

09/26/2022

Decades-high inflation means local governments can easily raise Illinoisans’ property taxes by 5% during the next year. That makes it an especially bad time to compound the property tax hike with Amendment 1.

TAGS: inflation, property taxes

Illinois Supreme Court rejects back pay for former state lawmakers

By Dylan Sharkey

09/23/2022

In a unanimous decision, the Illinois Supreme Court denied a lawsuit by two former state senators seeking back pay. The senators bragged about voting against the raises, then decided they deserved them after leaving office.

TAGS: Illinois Supreme Court

Illinois adds 4,100 jobs in August, slowing significantly

By Justin Carlson

09/16/2022

Illinois saw a significant slowdown in employment growth during August. The state is still missing 80,700 jobs from the pandemic.

Only 1 Illinois metro area has recovered COVID-19 job losses

By Bryce Hill

08/26/2022

Illinois’ lagging pandemic recovery continued across its cities in July. Only 1 metropolitan area has recovered from the pandemic.

TAGS: employment, jobs, unemployment

Illinois unemployment rate is third-highest in the nation, highest in Midwest

By Bryce Hill

08/19/2022

Illinois stands as one of the states with the most to gain – and lose – as the national economy continues to surpass job growth expectations.

TAGS: economic recovery, jobs

Illinois adds 31,200 jobs in July, still missing 88,600 from pandemic

By Bryce Hill

08/19/2022

Illinois’ employment recovery continued in July, but the state is still missing nearly 1 in 9 jobs lost during the pandemic.

TAGS: economic recovery, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security

What a recession would mean for Illinois

By Bryce Hill

07/28/2022

Politicians and pundits can’t seem to agree about whether the U.S. is in a recession, but the semantics matter little for struggling Americans. Illinois can expect economic pain regardless of what it’s called.

TAGS: GDP: gross domestic product, Illinois, recession

Great Recession

Illinois unemployment rate is worst in U.S.

Illinois businesses on hook for $1.4 billion in state unemployment debt

Southern Illinois taxpayers spend $124.5M since 2002 to keep airport open

High inflation could lead to property tax hikes in Illinois

Illinois Supreme Court rejects back pay for former state lawmakers

Illinois adds 4,100 jobs in August, slowing significantly

Only 1 Illinois metro area has recovered COVID-19 job losses

Illinois unemployment rate is third-highest in the nation, highest in Midwest

Illinois adds 31,200 jobs in July, still missing 88,600 from pandemic

What a recession would mean for Illinois

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