Argie Karafotias: Golden Brunch
Argie Karafotias: Golden Brunch
“Shutting down would absolutely close my business. SBA and PPP money helped, but if customers don’t come in and dine, we’ll close.”
Pritzker locks down more Illinois regions, again hitting struggling bars and restaurants
Pritzker locks down more Illinois regions, again hitting struggling bars and restaurants
A “conservative” estimate predicted 20% of Illinois restaurants would not survive COVID-19 closure orders, but predictions ranged as high as 85%. Some are fighting back.
Judge allows restaurant to stay open for indoor dining despite Pritzker’s executive order
Judge allows restaurant to stay open for indoor dining despite Pritzker’s executive order
A Kane County judge granted FoxFire’s request for a temporary restraining order against the governor’s recent COVID-19 executive orders banning indoor dining.
Illinois sees worst month of job loss in U.S. ahead of ‘fair tax’ vote
Illinois sees worst month of job loss in U.S. ahead of ‘fair tax’ vote
Illinois lost 12,000 jobs in September and is home to the highest unemployment rate in the Midwest. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” proposal would worsen the state’s jobs climate even more.
Illinois sees nation’s largest spike in new initial unemployment claims
Illinois sees nation’s largest spike in new initial unemployment claims
Initial unemployment claims in Illinois increased by more than 9,800 last week, the worst spike in the country.
Illinois becomes only state to ban haunted houses
Illinois becomes only state to ban haunted houses
Other states warned residents about small spaces inside haunted houses creating a risk for spreading COVID-19, but Illinois is all alone in outlawing them.
Illinoisans 51% more likely to be laid off, 21% less likely to be hired than U.S. average
Illinoisans 51% more likely to be laid off, 21% less likely to be hired than U.S. average
While Illinois claws back jobs from the COVID-19 associated downturn, in-depth analysis shows why the state is struggling more than most other states’ economies.
Illinois’ mortgage delinquency rate highest in Midwest amid largest spike in state’s history
Illinois’ mortgage delinquency rate highest in Midwest amid largest spike in state’s history
Delinquent mortgages nearly doubled to 124,000 amid COVID-19’s soaring unemployment, and inaction by state and local governments.
Monthly jobs report fails to show depth of Illinois job losses
Monthly jobs report fails to show depth of Illinois job losses
IDES estimated unemployment rate remains artificially low because it fails to count nearly 238,000 Illinoisans who have given up trying to find a job.
Brad Nelson and Cully Vojtech: Liberty Barber Shop
Brad Nelson and Cully Vojtech: Liberty Barber Shop
"We’re down 40 to 50% in customers and income and it’s not really flying back. We have a little overhead compared to restaurants. We can withstand it longer, I hope."
Jackie Jackson: Kilwins
Jackie Jackson: Kilwins
"We’re very hurt, we’re disappointed and we’re frustrated with what has happened with the city. We don’t want to pack up and leave. We have too much invested."
Pritzker could have saved nearly 32,000 jobs during COVID-19 downturn
Pritzker could have saved nearly 32,000 jobs during COVID-19 downturn
Illinois is the largest state without a short-time compensation plan, increasing the chances nearly 32,000 job losses will be permanent.
Craig Richardson: Batter & Berries
Craig Richardson: Batter & Berries
"Taxes are tough. If we could get a tax break, that would help a lot. I know it’s difficult, but I want our legislators to understand that jobs are not dispensable."
Illinois’ economy likely shrank by $86 billion during Q2, national data suggests
Illinois’ economy likely shrank by $86 billion during Q2, national data suggests
Data published last week by the Bureau of Economic Analysis revealed that U.S. gross domestic product shrank at an annualized rate of -32.9% during the second quarter.