Mike Morrison: The Chubby Bullfrog
Mike Morrison: The Chubby Bullfrog
“I’ve spoken to several other bar owners [who] are like, ‘We’re in the exact same boat.’ I’m waiting for a serious miracle. [But] I don’t think that’s going to happen."
Jada Nettle
Jada Nettle
“[The lockdown] has just really, really put a dent in my income ... a huge dent to this point. I tried to apply for unemployment. But I make $50 a week too much, and that was me only netting $150 a week."
Unemployment claims exceed 1.15 million as Illinois heads into 10th week of lockdown
Unemployment claims exceed 1.15 million as Illinois heads into 10th week of lockdown
Nearly 1 in 4 Illinoisans find themselves out of work, more than all border states except Kentucky.
Unemployment mess leads lawmaker to push for Pritzker’s recall
Unemployment mess leads lawmaker to push for Pritzker’s recall
Citing the lack of action on the state unemployment claims system overwhelmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, a state lawmaker begins the process to remove Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker from office.
Metra ridership down 97% from COVID-19
Metra ridership down 97% from COVID-19
Very few people have been commuting to work since Illinois’ stay-at-home order began at the end of March, which could mean tax and fare troubles are ahead for Chicago’s mass transit.
Illinois shed 762,200 jobs in April, 12.5 times greater than worst month on record
Illinois shed 762,200 jobs in April, 12.5 times greater than worst month on record
Record job losses hit the state during the first full month of COVID-19 economic fallout.
State agency published private data of nearly 32,500 unemployed Illinoisans
State agency published private data of nearly 32,500 unemployed Illinoisans
Just as Illinois opened its unemployment system to self-employed workers, the new system exposed Social Security numbers and other private information of 32,483 applicants, according to a Freedom of Information Act response.
Pete Dolan: Elmhurst Brewing Co.
Pete Dolan: Elmhurst Brewing Co.
"It’s really hard to put a new budget together and say this is where we’re going to end up. We know we can’t keep going like this for a long period of time."
Illinois’ new jobless claims remain high, push total since COVID-19 to nearly 1.1M
Illinois’ new jobless claims remain high, push total since COVID-19 to nearly 1.1M
Self-employed and gig workers were finally allowed to file for benefits last week, driving the total to nearly 1.1 million Illinoisans seeking help since COVID-19 hit the state’s economy.
Janice Yoder: Adore Bridal
Janice Yoder: Adore Bridal
“My store is closed. The morning I had to explain to my staff that I had to lay them off, I cried."
Rob Knight: Rob Knight’s Swim America
Rob Knight: Rob Knight’s Swim America
"I just don’t know how much more people can be taxed and remain in business."
Marilyn Kline-Peacock: Marilyn Peacock Day Care Home
Marilyn Kline-Peacock: Marilyn Peacock Day Care Home
"I don’t know what the future is for my business. I know I can’t go 150 days [closed]. There’s no way I will survive. I will have to quit something I’ve done for 22 years."
Illinois’ struggling unemployment program to run out of money in May
Illinois’ struggling unemployment program to run out of money in May
As new claims overwhelm an unprepared and inefficient system, the state has been pre-approved for a $5 billion loan from the federal government to ensure benefits continue to be paid.
Adam White: RC Outfitters
Adam White: RC Outfitters
“To the person who doesn’t understand survival as a small business, guess what happens if I close? I have a personal guarantee on everything in this store. I would go bankrupt, period."