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.”

The state’s newly adopted clean energy policy adds new incentives for electric vehicles and charging stations for buyers and manufacturers.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security was ill-prepared to handle record numbers of unemployed workers when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, was slow to distribute federal help, exposed Illinoisans' private information, then lefts thousands on hold awaiting answers. Here's the latest.