Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said his reelection campaign will focus on his record of protecting people and their jobs. A close look at that record shows Illinois with worse employment prospects and greater racial disparities than the rest of the U.S.

Some parts of Illinois’ job markets are recovering, but not for Black Illinoisans. Many jobs are still missing from before COVID-19, including over one-third of the leisure and hospitality jobs.

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

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.

Not only does the White House overstate the potential benefits of increasing the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour – but it also fails to mention that there would be fewer people working. According to a recent report from the Congressional Budget Office, 16 million Americans – not the White House’s reported 28 million...

Gov. Pat Quinn is pitching a plan that would effectively cut out young and inexperienced labor from the work force, and further exacerbate youth unemployment in the state. The governor revealed in a Wednesday press conference that he is seeking to raise the minimum wage from $8.25 to $10, lifting the barrier to entry for...