90% of Illinois communities lost population in 2020
90% of Illinois communities lost population in 2020
Census estimates predict nearly all Illinois municipalities shed population last year, with a greater share of large communities being affected.
By Bryce Hill
One year later, Illinois’ jobs recovery from COVID-19 among slowest in U.S.
One year later, Illinois’ jobs recovery from COVID-19 among slowest in U.S.
Job losses peaked in April 2020 amid COVID-19 and state-mandated shutdowns. In the year-long recovery since, Illinois’ has been among the nation’s slowest.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois recovery stalls as state sheds 4,000 private sector jobs in April
Illinois recovery stalls as state sheds 4,000 private sector jobs in April
While total payrolls were up 300, private sector jobs took a beating in April and lost 4,000 positions. Illinois’ labor market completely stalled as the national economic recovery slowed.
By Bryce Hill
All Illinois metro areas see populations drop in 2020
All Illinois metro areas see populations drop in 2020
Each of Illinois’ metropolitan areas got smaller from July 2019-July 2020, census estimates showed.
By Bryce Hill
Nearly all Illinois counties lost population in 2020
Nearly all Illinois counties lost population in 2020
Census estimates tallied population decline in 98 of Illinois’ 102 counties. Only Los Angeles County lost more people than Cook County last year.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois is home to most seriously delinquent mortgages in Midwest
Illinois is home to most seriously delinquent mortgages in Midwest
Data reveals 5.7% of Illinois homeowners are at least 90 days behind on their payments.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
Thousands of Illinoisans await calls from state unemployment agency
Thousands of Illinoisans await calls from state unemployment agency
The Illinois Department of Employment Security had a backlog of 156K calls in February. Now, over a year into the pandemic, its offices remain closed to the public and 43K Illinoisans are still awaiting a call from IDES.
By Brad Weisenstein, Patrick Andriesen
School closures keep over 28,000 Illinois moms out of work
School closures keep over 28,000 Illinois moms out of work
States that have re-opened schools have also increased labor force participation of mothers, evidence suggests.
By Orphe Divounguy
Census estimates again confirm Illinois population loss driven by people leaving
Census estimates again confirm Illinois population loss driven by people leaving
New data showed domestic migration continued to be the only reason for Illinois’ population decline.
By Bryce Hill
Pritzker fact check: Prime working-age Illinoisans leading exodus, not students
Pritzker fact check: Prime working-age Illinoisans leading exodus, not students
Gov. J.B. Pritzker inaccurately identified students leaving for college as the reason for Illinois’ population decline. Illinoisans between the ages of 26 and 54 made up 64.5% of the net decline in population from 2017-2018, the most recent year of available data.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois’ economy stuck trying to get through Pritzker’s COVID-19 ‘bridge phase’
Illinois’ economy stuck trying to get through Pritzker’s COVID-19 ‘bridge phase’
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Illinois is close to starting the extra ‘bridge phase’ of mandates he added in March, but over a year into his COVID-19 restrictions it is another barricade to the state’s economy. States with fewer limits are seeing bigger declines in infections.
By Hilary Gowins
Illinois population loss drops it to 6th-most populous state
Illinois population loss drops it to 6th-most populous state
Illinois was the nation’s fifth-largest state until 2020 census data was released. Now Pennsylvania’s population exceeds Illinois’ to take the No. 5 spot.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois loses 1 seat in Congress after 2020 Census shows first population drop in 200 years
Illinois loses 1 seat in Congress after 2020 Census shows first population drop in 200 years
Illinois will lose one representative in the U.S. House. The state’s population declined for the first time in over 200 years, the 10-year U.S. Census count showed.
By Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor
Illinois to lose 1 seat in U.S. Congress, new Census shows
Illinois to lose 1 seat in U.S. Congress, new Census shows
Illinois’ decade of population loss, with last year being the worst loss of people since World War II, will cost is one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Some thought the new Census would cost Illinois two seats in Congress.
By Brad Weisenstein