1.8 million Illinoisans are dependent on food stamps
1.8 million Illinoisans are dependent on food stamps
March 2017 saw 15,000 more Illinoisans on food stamps than March 2016, while the number of Indiana SNAP recipients dropped from March 2016 to March 2017.
By Brendan Bakala
Chicago only major U.S. city to lose population from 2015 to 2016
Chicago only major U.S. city to lose population from 2015 to 2016
While major headlines broke over news that Chicago was the only one of America’s largest 20 cities to shrink from July 2015 to July 2016, most of Illinois’ other cities with 50,000 people or more also lost population.
By Michael Lucci
College students were fleeing Illinois long before the budget impasse
College students were fleeing Illinois long before the budget impasse
Illinois lost 195,000 more college-bound students than it gained from 2000-2014.
By Michael Lucci
Illinois has lost 195,000 millennial college students since 2000
Illinois has lost 195,000 millennial college students since 2000
Illinois lost more millennial college students than any other state except New Jersey between 2000 and 2014, and Illinois’ loss of young people appears to be accelerating.
By Madelyn Harwood
Akuna Capital signed tax break deal with state of Illinois estimated to be worth $4.5M
Akuna Capital signed tax break deal with state of Illinois estimated to be worth $4.5M
In 2015, Chicago-headquartered Akuna Capital LLC signed a deal with the state of Illinois that state officials estimated to be worth $4.5 million. As part of the agreement, Akuna agreed to hire 10 new employees. The agreement states the new hires specialized in trading and software.
By Brendan Bakala
Illinois has the nation’s highest black unemployment rate
Illinois has the nation’s highest black unemployment rate
New Bureau of Labor Statistics data show Illinois’ black residents have an unemployment rate of 12.7 percent, more than double the state’s overall rate.
By Michael Lucci
Illinois loses 7,200 jobs in April, workforce shrinks by 17,800
Illinois loses 7,200 jobs in April, workforce shrinks by 17,800
Illinois still has 25,600 fewer jobs compared with the year 2000. Illinois is one of the only states in the country to have fewer jobs today than at the turn of the century.
By Michael Lucci
Butterball to close Montgomery-based plant, costing 600 jobs
Butterball to close Montgomery-based plant, costing 600 jobs
The plant will close its doors by July 17 and offer some employees relocation opportunities.
By Brendan Bakala
Political cowardice on workers’ compensation is destroying blue-collar jobs
Political cowardice on workers’ compensation is destroying blue-collar jobs
Illinois is home to the highest workers’ compensation costs in the region, and the weakest manufacturing recovery. New research details pain points and ways to fix the system while protecting worker safety.
By Austin Berg
Nearly half of unemployed people in Illinois have given up on finding work
Nearly half of unemployed people in Illinois have given up on finding work
A new survey from Harris Poll for Express Employment Professionals shows that nearly half of unemployed people in Illinois have given up looking for work.
By Brendan Bakala
17% of Illinois homes are seriously underwater
17% of Illinois homes are seriously underwater
Illinois’ sky-high property tax rates and lackluster economic growth have aggravated the state’s housing crisis.
By Madelyn Harwood