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.

Chicago households making $100K targeted by Brandon Johnson allies

By Bryce Hill, Justin Carlson

06/06/2023

An ominously titled document by close confidants of new Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson states the new administration’s top priority is to take more money from households making $100,000 or more to fund what they claim is a “just Chicago.”

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

Illinois metro areas’ unemployment rates among worst in U.S.

By Justin Carlson

12/16/2022

Illinois’ metro areas already face unemployment problems, with some of the nation’s worst rates. They could be hit harder by a recession than other places in the nation.

Nearly half of Illinois’ metropolitan areas lost jobs in August

By Justin Carlson

09/28/2022

The latest job numbers show Illinois continues struggling to recover pandemic job losses, a bad sign for its lagging economy as recession fears rise.

Only 1 Illinois metro area has recovered COVID-19 job losses

By Bryce Hill

08/26/2022

Illinois’ lagging pandemic recovery continued across its cities in July. Only 1 metropolitan area has recovered from the pandemic.

TAGS: employment, jobs, unemployment

10 Illinois metro areas gain jobs, only 1 recovers from pandemic

By Bryce Hill

08/02/2022

Only Bloomington has recouped early 2020 job losses, which is bad news for Illinois’ lagging economy as recession fears increase.

TAGS: Bloomington, COVID-19, economic recovery, jobs, unemployment

Illinois adds jobs in May, but in just over half of metro areas

By Bryce Hill

07/10/2022

Despite a full year of job gains, all Illinois metropolitan areas are missing jobs since the pandemic began and the recovery stalled. While May brought job gains statewide, only eight metro areas saw gains while seven saw losses.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois, jobs, metro areas, unemployment

8 Illinois metro areas fail to add jobs in April; just 1 recovers from pandemic

06/17/2022

Illinois’ overall job numbers continue to rise, but the recovery is spotty. Over half of the metropolitan areas failed to add jobs in April.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, employment, job creation, jobs

Illinois marks 10th month of job gains, but still missing 1-in-5 jobs

By Bryce Hill

05/12/2022

Illinois is steadily adding jobs lost during the COVID-19 economic downturn, but despite 10 months of gains the state recovery lags the nation. Some metropolitan areas are far behind where they were.

TAGS: COVID-19, economic recovery, jobs, unemployment

Illinois’ 2nd-highest gas taxes drive motorists, business across state lines

By Patrick Andriesen

04/19/2022

Drivers save 45 cents a gallon on gas by filling up at a station across the state line in Missouri, thanks to Illinois boosting gas taxes to No. 2 in the U.S. Gas station owners said Illinois drivers are filling up in other states.

TAGS: gas tax, JB Pritzker

St. Louis

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

Chicago households making $100K targeted by Brandon Johnson allies

Illinois metro areas’ unemployment rates among worst in U.S.

Nearly half of Illinois’ metropolitan areas lost jobs in August

Only 1 Illinois metro area has recovered COVID-19 job losses

10 Illinois metro areas gain jobs, only 1 recovers from pandemic

Illinois adds jobs in May, but in just over half of metro areas

8 Illinois metro areas fail to add jobs in April; just 1 recovers from pandemic

Illinois marks 10th month of job gains, but still missing 1-in-5 jobs

Illinois’ 2nd-highest gas taxes drive motorists, business across state lines

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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