Illinois still missing nearly 1 in 3 leisure, hospitality jobs

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.

Nearly two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois’ leisure and hospitality sector is rebounding slowly compared to other states.

Only 68% of Illinois’ leisure and hospitality jobs have been recouped since recovery started, the lowest in the Midwest and seventh lowest nationally.

Lodging, food service and entertainment jobs represent the slowest pandemic recovery of any sector, making up 35% of all missing jobs.

Missing jobs can be recovered, but it’s much harder with Illinois’ population decline or when workers decide to retire.

The major reasons Illinoisans have historically chosen to leave are for better housing and employment opportunities, both of which have been made worse by poor public policy in Illinois. Nearly half of Illinoisans have thought about moving away, and they said taxes were their No. 1 reason.

Growing the state’s workforce by appealing to new residents should be a top priority for lawmakers, but that requires fiscal discipline and tackling the state’s No. 1 threat: ballooning pensions. Controlling the pension beast will require amending the Illinois Constitution so retirement plans can be protected and taxes curbed through modest changes to the growth of future pension obligations.

Jobs, public pensions and taxes are tied together. Illinois cannot fix jobs or taxes unless it first fixes pensions.