Illinois unemployment No. 3 in U.S. during November

By Ravi Mishra

12/23/2024

Illinois is caught in a sluggish job market with persistently high unemployment. It was third-highest in the U.S. again during November.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, taxes, unemployment

Illinois holiday shoppers pay sales taxes as high as 11.5%

By Jerry Barmore

12/22/2024

Sales taxes up to 11.5% will greet some Cook County shoppers this holiday season. Illinois averages 8.85% in sales taxes statewide, slightly more than last year and the seventh highest nationwide.

TAGS: sales tax

Record-setting holiday season expecting nearly 120M travelers

By Dylan Sharkey

12/16/2024

AAA estimates nearly 120 million people will travel 50 miles or more this holiday season. Most of those will travel by car, so Illinois’ gas taxes will make it an expensive ride for them.

Only 6 of 15 Illinois metro areas gained jobs in October

By Patrick Andriesen

12/04/2024

New data shows only six of 15 Illinois metropolitan areas added jobs in October as the state shed 2,400 jobs. Twelve metro areas reported higher unemployment than the national average.

TAGS: jobs

Thank a small business on Saturday: they’ve generated all Illinois’ job growth

By Bryce Hill

11/29/2024

Small Business Saturday offers a reason to be extra thankful: businesses with fewer than 20 employees have been the only ones to grow payrolls since COVID-19 hit.

TAGS: small business

Over 1M Illinois families to get federal help with Thanksgiving

By Patrick Andriesen

11/25/2024

Over 1 million Illinois families will put turkey on the table this Thanksgiving with the help of federal food assistance, including more than half of the households in Pulaski and Alexander counties.

TAGS: food stamps

O’Hare one of worst airports for wait times ahead of Thanksgiving travel

By Dylan Sharkey

11/21/2024

Chicago’s O’Hare Airport is one of the toughest for waiting in long lines, according to a study of the nation’s biggest airports. Motorists dealing with Illinois’ second-highest gas taxes won’t fare much better hitting the road.

TAGS: O'Hare International Airport, Thanksgiving

Illinois No. 3 for highest unemployment in October

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

11/20/2024

October job numbers for Illinois remained disappointing, with an unemployment rate that was third highest in the nation. There are 346,000 Illinoisans who need a job.

TAGS: unemployment

Over 1 in 7 Illinoisans get food assistance

By Patrick Andriesen

11/01/2024

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans – or more than 1-in-7 – received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in July 2024. One-quarter of county offices reported more than 1-in-5 residents received food help.

TAGS: SNAP

Unemployment high in 13 of 15 Illinois metro job markets

By Ravi Mishra

10/30/2024

The statewide Illinois job market outpaced the national average. But 13 of 15 metro areas continued to have higher unemployment rates than the U.S. average.

Midwestern United States

Illinois unemployment No. 3 in U.S. during November

Illinois holiday shoppers pay sales taxes as high as 11.5%

Record-setting holiday season expecting nearly 120M travelers

Only 6 of 15 Illinois metro areas gained jobs in October

Thank a small business on Saturday: they’ve generated all Illinois’ job growth

Over 1M Illinois families to get federal help with Thanksgiving

O’Hare one of worst airports for wait times ahead of Thanksgiving travel

Illinois No. 3 for highest unemployment in October

Over 1 in 7 Illinoisans get food assistance

Unemployment high in 13 of 15 Illinois metro job markets

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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