Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

Rauner signs occupational licensing reform into law

Rauner signs occupational licensing reform into law

On Aug. 22, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law a bill that prevents the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation from using irrelevant criminal convictions as a basis for denying licenses to applicants seeking to work as barbers, cosmetologists, hair braiders, estheticians, nail technicians, roofing business owners or funeral directors.

By Bryant Jackson-Green

Illinois workforce shrinks by 33,600 in July

Illinois workforce shrinks by 33,600 in July

Illinois’ preliminary jobs report shows the unemployment rate dropped to 5.8 percent in July due to large numbers of residents dropping out of the labor force for the third consecutive month.

By Brendan Bakala