Seven metro areas across the state lost jobs over the month.

Illinois’ metro areas added 11,300 jobs in February, while only one metro area lost jobs over the month. Despite strong employment growth from metro areas in February, Illinois is still far behind U.S. growth over the last 12 months.

Combined jobs growth was slightly positive across Illinois’ metro areas in January. But only four metro areas have recovered the jobs they lost during the Great Recession.

New state data shed a light on weak economic growth in metro areas across Illinois.

Illinois' jobs growth trailed that of the nation during the first half of 2017, then slowed to a halt in the wake of the General Assembly's record-breaking tax hike.

Heavy losses of Illinoisans to other states have caused the Land of Lincoln to shrink for four consecutive years.

The continuing erosion of Illinois’ tax base is the state’s most pressing budget problem.