Illinois has the second-worst jobless rate in the nation

Illinois’ loss of 27,600 payroll jobs in January was second-worst nationally, according to today’s release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Only California, which shed 31,500 payroll positions, fared worse. Texas and Ohio led the nation in adding payroll jobs.   Illinois is one of six states with an unemployment rate significantly above the...

Illinois’ loss of 27,600 payroll jobs in January was second-worst nationally, according to today’s release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Only California, which shed 31,500 payroll positions, fared worse. Texas and Ohio led the nation in adding payroll jobs.

Illinois is one of six states with an unemployment rate significantly above the national average. The state’s jobless rate is more than 2 percentage points above the national average.

The state’s unemployment rate is now tied with Nevada for second-worst at 8.7 percent. Only Rhode Island is worse, at 9.2 percent.

Instead of fighting amongst the bottom states, Illinois needs a plan to become a national leader. That plan should include unleashing entrepreneurs from regulatory shackles, cutting the red tape for small businesses and treating all businesses as sources of jobs rather than as sources of revenue.