Illinois lost 12,000 jobs in September and is home to the highest unemployment rate in the Midwest. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” proposal would worsen the state’s jobs climate even more.
Initial unemployment claims in Illinois increased by more than 9,800 last week, the worst spike in the country.
Other states warned residents about small spaces inside haunted houses creating a risk for spreading COVID-19, but Illinois is all alone in outlawing them.
While Illinois claws back jobs from the COVID-19 associated downturn, in-depth analysis shows why the state is struggling more than most other states’ economies.
Delinquent mortgages nearly doubled to 124,000 amid COVID-19’s soaring unemployment, and inaction by state and local governments.
IDES estimated unemployment rate remains artificially low because it fails to count nearly 238,000 Illinoisans who have given up trying to find a job.
"We’re down 40 to 50% in customers and income and it’s not really flying back. We have a little overhead compared to restaurants. We can withstand it longer, I hope."
"We’re very hurt, we’re disappointed and we’re frustrated with what has happened with the city. We don’t want to pack up and leave. We have too much invested."
Illinois is the largest state without a short-time compensation plan, increasing the chances nearly 32,000 job losses will be permanent.
"Taxes are tough. If we could get a tax break, that would help a lot. I know it’s difficult, but I want our legislators to understand that jobs are not dispensable."
Data published last week by the Bureau of Economic Analysis revealed that U.S. gross domestic product shrank at an annualized rate of -32.9% during the second quarter.
Most other states have recouped more of their February-April job losses from the pandemic shutdowns than Illinois.
COVID-19 and associated government lockdowns disproportionately harmed women with children at home.
The state and most of its urban areas are failing to get residents back to work at rates matching the national average.