Illinois’ weak manufacturing recovery from the Great Recession has led to the Land of Lincoln’s having the worst unemployment rate among nearby and neighboring Rust Belt states.

A new study by The Pew Charitable Trusts shows Illinois trails all states but Nevada in personal income growth since the Great Recession, with a growth rate half that of Illinois’ neighbors.

Less than half of Illinois households are defined as middle class.

The month of June saw Illinois continue to lose jobs, as the state’s long-term economic woes continue to push workers out of the state.

Moline, Ill.-based agricultural equipment maker will cut more than 100 jobs by September; Illinois’ manufacturing workers continue to struggle for job opportunities enjoyed by their counterparts in the region.

The state of Illinois has one of the oldest workers’ compensation systems in America, dating to 1911.