Tabitha Hardin
Tabitha Hardin
"The weekend we reserved our U-Haul, there was a record number of one-way rentals out of Illinois."
35% of Illinois’ small businesses are closed a year into COVID-19 restrictions
35% of Illinois’ small businesses are closed a year into COVID-19 restrictions
More small businesses have closed in Illinois than in any other Midwestern state, except Michigan. Taxing them more as they struggle is the wrong move.
Larry Roberts Jr.: Larry’s Barber College
Larry Roberts Jr.: Larry’s Barber College
“There are professional licenses that need to be obtained by people who want to begin a career in this industry. But there are also arbitrary policies in place that disincentivize them from pursuing those licenses and their dreams.”
552K Illinoisans getting or seeking unemployment benefits a year into COVID-19
552K Illinoisans getting or seeking unemployment benefits a year into COVID-19
A year into COVID-19 and 552,000 Illinois workers are still in need of jobs. Despite that, Gov. J.B. Pritzker is asking for as much as $2 billion in new taxes on the small businesses that create most Illinois jobs.
Hollowed out: Small businesses reflect on one year into a pandemic
Hollowed out: Small businesses reflect on one year into a pandemic
The pandemic has affected everyone, but the economic fallout has been especially devastating for specific groups. In addition to retailers, restaurant owners and other small business owners, women, working mothers and Black Illinoisans suffered the worst in terms of job losses.
Ali Conrad
Ali Conrad
“The compact license could help afford me the opportunity to contribute to fighting the pandemic and sharing my skills and knowledge at other hospitals without the headache of obtaining new licenses for every different state I travel to.”
Black Illinoisans twice as likely to have lost jobs in 2020
Black Illinoisans twice as likely to have lost jobs in 2020
Revised figures show 2020 job losses were worse for Black Illinoisans than originally thought. The worst year of job losses in state history disproportionately affected minority Illinoisans.
Study: Illinois among top states to see residents flee
Study: Illinois among top states to see residents flee
A third moving company ranked Illinois as a prime place to abandon during 2020. State leaders can control the exodus if they reform spending.
Restrictions ease, but Chicago cites 5 bars, restaurants over COVID rules
Restrictions ease, but Chicago cites 5 bars, restaurants over COVID rules
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is allowing bars and restaurants to be open later and increase capacity, but city inspectors are looking for COVID-19 rules violations. Five restaurants and bars were just cited.
David Halpern: 4 Entertainment Group
David Halpern: 4 Entertainment Group
“I am co-founder of 4 Entertainment Group with my business partners Ben Klopp, Bob Deck and Dan Cronican. We operate 20 bars, including five in Chicago – with another under construction – 14 in Ohio and one in Kentucky. I live in Glenview with my wife and our four children, 7 [twins] to 14.” “For...
Another bump up for Illinois’ new unemployment claims
Another bump up for Illinois’ new unemployment claims
Illinois saw new unemployment claims rise for a third week, even as nearly 3 million COVID-19 vaccinations have been given to Illinoisans.
Sheldrick Holmes: Grail Café
Sheldrick Holmes: Grail Café
“You know how infuriating it was to have an issue as large as this pandemic and have no one see you? You feel invisible.”
Laura Schillmoeller
Laura Schillmoeller
"I just don’t want to pay for these public schools anymore because I feel like they have completely let everybody down. I'm done."
Illinois unemployment is again on the rise as Pritzker proposes business taxes
Illinois unemployment is again on the rise as Pritzker proposes business taxes
Unemployment claims bumped up for a second week in Illinois as Gov. J.B. Pritzker decided to push for 9 new taxes, mostly hitting businesses and job creation. Illinois ranked 49th for recovery last week.