Nation gains 227K jobs as Illinois loses 3.4K in November

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

01/07/2025

Job growth was healthy across the nation in November with a gain of 227,000. Illinois’ metropolitan areas lost 3,400, with Peoria losing at the fastest rate.

Pekin passes grocery tax, taking away $1M in savings for shoppers

By Dylan Sharkey

11/15/2024

Pekin and Normal have joined the list of local governments passing ordinances to replace the 1% statewide grocery tax when it expires.

TAGS: grocery tax

Another Illinois town has passed a grocery tax. Is yours next?

By Dylan Sharkey

10/30/2024

Another Illinois town voted to pass a local grocery tax. See how much grocery shoppers in your community could lose if your local leaders also impose the tax.

TAGS: grocery tax

9 Illinois metro areas add jobs in March, 6 await pandemic recovery

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

04/19/2024

Job gains in Illinois’ metropolitan areas were off to a slow start in 2024. Six areas remain behind where they were before the pandemic.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment

Merging downstate police, fire pensions helps but Illinois needs pension reform

By Bryce Hill

01/26/2024

The Illinois Supreme Court voted to uphold a law consolidating 649 municipal police and firefighter pension funds. It may help the state’s pension woes, but amending the Illinois Constitution is needed for real solutions.

Invest in Kids tax credit scholarships mostly go to Black, Hispanic students

By Mailee Smith

10/23/2023

Low-income students from across Illinois receive Invest in Kids scholarships, with the majority going to Black and Hispanic students.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

Most Illinois metro areas shed jobs in June, await pandemic recovery

By Justin Carlson

08/04/2023

Despite statewide job gains in June, eight of Illinois’ metro areas lost jobs for the month. Most areas still haven’t recovered to pre-pandemic job levels.

Illinois metro unemployment rates still among worst in U.S.

By Justin Carlson

06/30/2023

While most Illinois metropolitan areas saw job gains last month, unemployment rates remain higher than the U.S. rate in 11 of the state’s 13 metro areas.

Full text of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State speech

02/15/2023

Here’s what Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker had to say about how Illinois is faring and what his priorities will be in the fiscal year 2024 budget.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Big batteries to store renewable energy create fire hazard

By Dylan Sharkey

02/14/2023

As Illinois pushes for more renewable energy, it comes with a fire hazard risk at battery storage centers. A battery storage facility explosion in Arizona hurt eight firefighters. There have been three other fires.

Peoria

Nation gains 227K jobs as Illinois loses 3.4K in November

Pekin passes grocery tax, taking away $1M in savings for shoppers

Another Illinois town has passed a grocery tax. Is yours next?

9 Illinois metro areas add jobs in March, 6 await pandemic recovery

Merging downstate police, fire pensions helps but Illinois needs pension reform

Invest in Kids tax credit scholarships mostly go to Black, Hispanic students

Most Illinois metro areas shed jobs in June, await pandemic recovery

Illinois metro unemployment rates still among worst in U.S.

Full text of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State speech

Big batteries to store renewable energy create fire hazard

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students