Illinois only state among neighboring and Great Lake states to lose jobs in 2015

By Michael Lucci

01/26/2016

Illinois lost 3,000 jobs on net in 2015, while other neighboring and Great Lakes manufacturing states all gained tens of thousands of jobs on net for the year.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs, manufacturing, unemployment

Illinois lost 16,300 jobs on net in December 2015, down 3,000 jobs on the year

By Michael Lucci

01/23/2016

The state unemployment rate jumped to 5.9 percent from 5.7 percent, driven by an increase of 18,300 Illinoisans who are unemployed. Illinois also has 178,000 fewer people working compared to before the Great Recession.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs, unemployment

Illinois ended 2015 down 14,500 manufacturing jobs, closing in on an all-time low for factory work

By Michael Lucci

01/11/2016

Illinois’ manufacturing job losses accelerated in 2015, while most neighboring and Great Lakes states continued to post gains in factory jobs.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing, unemployment, workers compensation

Heavy metals: Behind the fall of Illinois industry

By Austin Berg

01/01/2016

Food-stamp rolls still trump payrolls in Illinois

By Michael Lucci

12/21/2015

During its recovery from the Great Recession, Illinois has put seven people on food stamps for every six people added to employment rolls.

TAGS: food stamps

Weak November jobs report for Illinois shows spike in unemployment

By Michael Lucci

12/18/2015

New federal data show Illinois gained only 400 jobs in November, and its unemployment rate rose to 5.7 percent.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs, manufacturing, unemployment

A worker’s right to choose

By Austin Berg

12/14/2015

Hundreds of thousands of Illinois workers are forced to pay union dues to keep their jobs. But close by, worker freedom reigns.

TAGS: right to work

What’s wrong with Illinois’ economy?

By Michael Lucci

12/13/2015

Madigan’s economic record is one of failure, and the best he can say in his defense is that trying a new path would somehow make things worse.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing, unemployment, workers compensation

Madigan wants to raise income taxes again

By Hilary Gowins

12/10/2015

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan says Illinois’ income taxes should be increased to at least 5 percent.

TAGS: income tax

If Madigan is protecting the middle class, why do blue-collar workers earn more in Indiana?

By Michael Lucci

12/07/2015

Illinois’ anti-growth policies depress middle-class wages and job opportunities.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing, Mike Madigan, unemployment

Great Recession

Illinois only state among neighboring and Great Lake states to lose jobs in 2015

Illinois lost 16,300 jobs on net in December 2015, down 3,000 jobs on the year

Illinois ended 2015 down 14,500 manufacturing jobs, closing in on an all-time low for factory work

Heavy metals: Behind the fall of Illinois industry

Food-stamp rolls still trump payrolls in Illinois

Weak November jobs report for Illinois shows spike in unemployment

A worker’s right to choose

What’s wrong with Illinois’ economy?

Madigan wants to raise income taxes again

If Madigan is protecting the middle class, why do blue-collar workers earn more in Indiana?

Who Lives Below the Poverty Line in Illinois? Family Structure and Education Mark the Highest Risk

Report Archive

Take advantage of the various ways to vote

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students