Taking a ballot selfie is a felony in Illinois

By Austin Berg

06/28/2022

Voters wanting to share their Election Day pride best not do it with a voting booth selfie posted to social media. That’s a felony in Illinois.

TAGS: ballot, election, Election Day, voting

After 2 years, it’s time to limit Pritzker’s emergency powers

By Joe Tabor

03/09/2022

March 12 marks two years of life under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s emergency powers. It is time lawmakers had a say in how long those powers last.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency powers, JB Pritzker

Illinois’ leisure and hospitality industry least recovered in Midwest, 7th worst in the nation

By Bryce Hill

02/15/2022

One-third of Illinois’ missing jobs are from the leisure and hospitality industry, but that sector’s COVID-19 pandemic recovery lags virtually every other state in the U.S.

TAGS: COVID-19, economic recovery, Illinois, restaurants

Illinois has recovered only 69% of its pre-pandemic jobs

By Orphe Divounguy

02/10/2022

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois’ economic recovery in 2021 lagged other states. A lack of in-person schooling, fewer economic opportunities and high taxes only exacerbated the ongoing population loss.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, jobs, unemployment

COVID-19 jobs recovery well below U.S. average in most Illinois metro areas

By Bryce Hill

02/08/2022

The nation recovered 85% of the jobs lost to the COVID-19 downturn, but only one metro area in Illinois beat the U.S. average. The Chicago area only recovered 64% of its jobs. Bloomington was one of just 11 U.S. areas to lose jobs last year.

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

Illinois jobs recovery worst in Midwest, 8th-worst in nation

By Bryce Hill

02/04/2022

With 251,900 jobs still missing since the pandemic began, Illinois’ job market is the least recovered among Midwestern states

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

Black Illinoisans still hurt most by COVID-19 job losses despite strong 2021

By Bryce Hill

02/02/2022

Nearly 17% of the jobs held by Black Illinoisans prior to the COVID-19 pandemic are still missing, nearly triple the loss of white Illinoisans.

TAGS: COVID-19, jobs, race gap, unemployment

The State of The State: Illinois leaders partly responsible for a sluggish recovery

By Orphe Divounguy

01/27/2022

Published Jan. 27, 2022 Illinois’ economy was shaken by the COVID-19 pandemic, but 2021 was supposed to be a year of recovery. Unfortunately, the policy climate continues to be the state’s biggest liability despite high vaccination rates, great natural endowments, a talented workforce, a large financial sector and a growing tech industry. While Illinois boasts...

Illinois still missing 251,900 jobs since the pandemic began

By Bryce Hill

01/25/2022

Despite adding 262,600 jobs in 2021, Illinois is still a long way off from a full recovery from the COVID-19 economic downturn.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, jobs, unemployment

Illinois 1 of 7 states to see residents move out faster in 2021

By Bryce Hill

01/14/2022

Illinoisans fled at a record pace in 2021. The state lost 122,460 residents on net because of moves to other states.

TAGS: Illinois, outmigration, population

Utah

Taking a ballot selfie is a felony in Illinois

After 2 years, it’s time to limit Pritzker’s emergency powers

Illinois’ leisure and hospitality industry least recovered in Midwest, 7th worst in the nation

Illinois has recovered only 69% of its pre-pandemic jobs

COVID-19 jobs recovery well below U.S. average in most Illinois metro areas

Illinois jobs recovery worst in Midwest, 8th-worst in nation

Black Illinoisans still hurt most by COVID-19 job losses despite strong 2021

The State of The State: Illinois leaders partly responsible for a sluggish recovery

Illinois still missing 251,900 jobs since the pandemic began

Illinois 1 of 7 states to see residents move out faster in 2021

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

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