During the past two years, about 80 Illinoisans shared how the COVID-19 pandemic was changing their lives, children’s educations and businesses. Here is how some of them have come through the pandemic, both those who thrived and those who lost.
"If I wouldn’t have done what I did I wouldn’t even be in business today.”
"“I’m trying to rebuild our bar business, but it’s been difficult to compete with neighboring towns that have fewer mandates, and there is more competition popping up in the area."
“The shutdowns definitely hurt the city in taxes. When people don’t spend money at local businesses, towns are losing money that would have been taxable.”
“My income decreased substantially due to the pandemic because I have a couple vacancies, and I readjusted rent for some of my tenants. Even though I have less income than before the pandemic, my taxes keep increasing.”
“As a business owner, I think the pandemic responses were too built within the bureaucracy of the system of government, which is has too many layers to get necessary approvals. In a state of emergency, you cannot have that.”
"We lost more than $500,000 and now we’re trying to bring back the business by changing our menus and recontacting those same people. Now we’re just trying to survive.”
"We're very fortunate that we're still standing. And we're very proud because we really love our customers. And we're here to serve.
Lots of businesses tried to get started during 2021 in Illinois, but the ones that create jobs had a tough time launching. That’s why Illinois unemployment remains high and salaries depressed during a national labor shortage.
Illinois saw new residential building permits in 2021 issued at one of the slowest rates in the nation. The rest of the U.S. saw real estate booming.
Workers looking for a job find fewer opportunities in Illinois than in virtually any other state.
A new Fed report shows strict COVID-19 policies and enhanced unemployment benefits likely contributed to Illinois’ sluggish recovery from the pandemic recession.
Illinois is experiencing one of the nation’s worst recoveries for leisure and hospitality jobs. Of the Illinois jobs that vanished since the COVID-19 pandemic, 35% are in leisure and hospitality – the most of any industry.
Gov. J.B Pritzker’s latest campaign ad praises his support for small businesses even though his policies contributed to one of the nation’s largest small business closures.