Illinois companies announce 1,666 mass layoffs in February

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

03/11/2025

Illinois companies announced 1,666 mass layoffs in February, with more than 4-in-5 impacting workers in Cook County. Schaumburg alone accounted for one-third of job losses.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Illinois craft distillers face tough future without changes to liquor law

By FJ Hilgart

03/10/2025

Liquor regulations written at the end of Prohibition are strangling Illinois’ craft distillers. A new bill is trying to change that.

TAGS: jobs, liquor laws, small business

Illinois unemployment still 3rd highest in U.S.

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

01/28/2025

Illinois continues to maintain a sluggish job market and high unemployment. The December unemployment rate was third highest in the nation, where it has remained for months.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Nearly 9 in 10 layoffs in November from businesses closing

By Patrick Andriesen

12/31/2024

Nearly 9 in 10 of the Illinois job losses announced in November resulted from businesses closing. Chicago led the state for layoffs, followed by Rockford.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Only 6 of 15 Illinois metro areas gained jobs in October

By Patrick Andriesen

12/04/2024

New data shows only six of 15 Illinois metropolitan areas added jobs in October as the state shed 2,400 jobs. Twelve metro areas reported higher unemployment than the national average.

TAGS: jobs

True Value bankruptcy creates half of 1,790 Illinois layoffs

By Patrick Andriesen

11/22/2024

Nearly half of the Illinois job losses in October resulted from True Value Co. declaring bankruptcy. Chicago led the state for jobs lost.

TAGS: jobs

1,190 Illinois jobs shed in July, with Deere leading for 2nd month

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

09/04/2024

The Quad Cities will experience a combined 319 job cuts after John Deere announced layoffs at both its World Headquarters in Moline and Harvester Works factory in East Moline. Romeoville saw more than 1-in-4 of the mass layoffs statewide.

TAGS: jobs

Unemployment rates remain high across Illinois metro areas

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

08/29/2024

Despite Illinois’ job market outpacing the national average, all 15 metro areas continue to have higher unemployment rates than the national average.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Illinoisans face 1,026 job cuts in June, with 27% at John Deere

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

08/02/2024

Illinoisans faced 1,026 mass layoffs in June 2024, with manufacturing and transportation sectors hit hardest. John Deere in East Moline accounted for about 1-in-4 of the layoffs announced statewide.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Unemployment tops U.S. average in all but 2 Illinois areas during June

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

07/30/2024

Despite some growth, high unemployment remains a persistent issue in Illinois with 13 of 15 metropolitan areas showing higher rates of unemployment than the national average.

TAGS: jobs