Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker declared COVID-19 a disaster in Illinois for the 40th time. Illinois is 1 of only 6 states still using COVID-19 to declare a public health emergency.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker intends to extend his COVID-19 emergency powers until May 11. Illinois is 1 of only 7 states still claiming disaster status as a result of COVID-19.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced he will follow President Biden and end Illinois’ disaster declarations on May 11. Most states long ago quit using emergency powers, leaving Illinois as 1 of 7 states still claiming COVID-19 is a public health emergency.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker extended his COVID-19 emergency powers into his second term. Illinois is 1 of only 9 states still claiming disaster status as a result of COVID-19.
State revenue losses around the country have ranged from far less than expected to non-existent. Fiscally healthy states are giving back to taxpayers. That doesn’t include Illinois.
Illinoisans pay one of the highest sales tax rates in the nation when local and state sales taxes are averaged. The average rate of 8.83% was up slightly from a year earlier.
Job losses peaked in April 2020 amid COVID-19 and state-mandated shutdowns. In the year-long recovery since, Illinois’ has been among the nation’s slowest.
Occupational licensing requirements present one of the steepest barriers to low-income Illinoisans starting careers in beauty services. Illinois requires anyone seeking to become a barber, cosmetologist, nail technician or hair braider to obtain a state license, essentially a permission slip to work. Unlike 45 other states, Illinois offers only one pathway to licensure for each...