Everything you need to know about COVID-19 in Illinois

By Brad Weisenstein

01/08/2021

This page will be updated daily to reflect developments related to the spread of COVID-19 in Illinois.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, IDPH: Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois, JB Pritzker, Lori Lightfoot

Illinois’ mortgage delinquency rate highest in Midwest amid largest spike in state’s history

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

09/03/2020

Delinquent mortgages nearly doubled to 124,000 amid COVID-19’s soaring unemployment, and inaction by state and local governments.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, mortgage, recession

Illinois tops neighboring states with $10 minimum wage on July 1

06/29/2020

Illinois’ second minimum wage increase this year is part of a plan to hit $15 an hour in 2025. Small businesses face tough decisions on cutting staff or raising prices.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, minimum wage, recession

Illinois ranks second-last when it comes to reopening bars and restaurants

06/25/2020

A study from WalletHub ranks Illinois 50th-most severe on COVID-19 restrictions on bars and restaurants. 233,500 jobs were lost in that sector since February.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, reopen, stay at home order

Illinois restaurants, bars take brunt of job losses amid harsh lockdown

By Bryce Hill

06/25/2020

Unemployment claims remain five times higher than normal, but the nation’s second-harshest restaurant restrictions have hit that job sector hardest.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, jobs

COVID-19 recession could double Illinois’ delinquent mortgage rate in 2020

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

06/16/2020

Up to 130,000 Illinois homeowners could fall behind on their mortgage payments if state lawmakers fail to provide relief.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, delinquency, mortgage, property taxes

Illinois sales tax revenues down 24% in May amid strict lockdown

By Adam Schuster

06/11/2020

Monthly sales tax collections in Illinois continued sharp declines compared to one year earlier amid strict COVID-19 restrictions. Neighboring states with more open economies fared better.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, sales tax

Despite business, lawmaker suits, Pritzker grants himself emergency powers for 4th time

By Joe Tabor

06/09/2020

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker for the fourth time extended by 30 days his emergency powers to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses and lawmakers are amending lawsuits in response.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, emergency, executive order

Illinois tops list for harshest COVID-19 restrictions in America

05/22/2020

Illinois was ranked as the most restrictive state in the U.S. in a survey of COVID-19 actions that impact everyday life.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order

Illinois lawmakers introduce bills to delay property tax payments

05/16/2020

Illinoisans who have struggled without paychecks because of the COVID-19 shutdown could get a delay on their property taxes. The hope is they are working again before they must pay the bill.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, property taxes

WalletHub

Everything you need to know about COVID-19 in Illinois

Illinois’ mortgage delinquency rate highest in Midwest amid largest spike in state’s history

Illinois tops neighboring states with $10 minimum wage on July 1

Illinois ranks second-last when it comes to reopening bars and restaurants

Illinois restaurants, bars take brunt of job losses amid harsh lockdown

COVID-19 recession could double Illinois’ delinquent mortgage rate in 2020

Illinois sales tax revenues down 24% in May amid strict lockdown

Despite business, lawmaker suits, Pritzker grants himself emergency powers for 4th time

Illinois tops list for harshest COVID-19 restrictions in America

Illinois lawmakers introduce bills to delay property tax payments

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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