Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently OK’d four new laws that would expand the ability for professionals to practice in Illinois. While they are advancements, Illinois’ onerous occupational licensing system needs comprehensive reform.

Despite Illinois’ job market outpacing the national average, all 15 metro areas continue to have higher unemployment rates than the national average.

July unemployment hit 5.2% in Illinois, ranking second worst in the nation. It equated to 341,630 workers looking for a job.

Nearly 100,000 Chicago-area residents are out of work, and at 6.2% the Chicago metro area has the highest unemployment rate of the nation’s 50 largest metro areas. Illinois as a whole isn’t doing much better, with a 6.1% unemployment rate.