Illinois has the nation’s third-highest number of state regulations and double the U.S. average. Regulations make life hard for Illinois’ small businesses, where most Illinois jobs are created.

With 251,900 jobs still missing since the pandemic began, Illinois’ job market is the least recovered among Midwestern states

Illinois suffered the largest population decline in the Midwest and of neighboring states during 2021.

Illinois’ sluggish labor market is driven by a record number of workers quitting their jobs at the same time there are fewer job opportunities than in nearly any other state. Even though an all-time record number of workers quit, Illinois was only No. 7 in the “Great Resignation.”