Chicago lags as 8 of 13 Illinois metro areas add jobs in April

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

05/23/2024

Illinois grew jobs in eight of its 13 metropolitan areas during April, but the Chicago area’s sluggish growth and a stubbornly high unemployment rate tempered any gains.

TAGS: jobs, metro areas, unemployment

Illinois’ Black unemployment rate No. 2 in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

05/22/2024

Black workers in Illinois face a tougher job market than peers nationally. Hispanic men, Asians face lower unemployment rates relative to peers in other states.

TAGS: unemployment

Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd-worst in the nation

By Jon Josko, Ravi Mishra

05/17/2024

Illinois’ unemployment rate for April was near the highest in the U.S. Its recovery lags the nation by nearly a full percentage point.

Did neighbors leave your town last year?

By Brad Weisenstein

05/16/2024

Illinois continued to lose population last year, with people leaving 75% of the communities in the state. But what about your town? Did it lose or gain, and by how much?

TAGS: outmigration, population

3 in 4 Illinois communities lost population in 2023

By Ravi Mishra

05/16/2024

Chicago lost the most, but communities across Illinois lost population in 2023. Three-fourths of the cities and towns lost people.

TAGS: outmigration, population

9 years of decline: Expect Chicago to be No. 4 behind Houston by 2035

By Bryce Hill

05/16/2024

Chicago lost 8,208 residents in 2023, the third-largest decline of any city in the nation. At this rate, the Second City will drop from No. 3 to No. 4 by 2035

TAGS: Chicago, population

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

Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd worst in the nation

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

04/19/2024

Illinois employment growth lagged the nation and neighboring states in March 2024. Unemployment was third highest in the U.S.

TAGS: unemployment

Plan could help Chicago’s housing affordability problem by cutting red tape

By Bryce Hill

04/15/2024

Mayor Brandon Johnson has moved on from his failed tax hike and found a good answer to Chicago’s housing affordability issue. His “Cut the Tape” proposal would streamline the housing and commercial development process, increasing the supply and affordability.

How does Illinois spend millions in cannabis cash?

By Dylan Sharkey

04/15/2024

In Illinois’ fifth year of recreational cannabis sales, it’s already made nearly $180 million in tax revenue. But it is losing sales to neighboring states with lower taxes.

United States Census Bureau

Chicago lags as 8 of 13 Illinois metro areas add jobs in April

Illinois’ Black unemployment rate No. 2 in U.S.

Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd-worst in the nation

Did neighbors leave your town last year?

3 in 4 Illinois communities lost population in 2023

9 years of decline: Expect Chicago to be No. 4 behind Houston by 2035

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

Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd worst in the nation

Plan could help Chicago’s housing affordability problem by cutting red tape

How does Illinois spend millions in cannabis cash?

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