Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment up over last year

Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment up over last year

January 30, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – According to preliminary figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois’ statewide unemployment rate for December 2025 was 4.8%, up from 4.4% in December 2024.

Over the year, non-farm jobs decreased in nine of the state’s metropolitan areas and increased in three.

The Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg area has reported 18 consecutive months of job growth.

CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGE

A church official from Illinois is facing a charge of producing child pornography.

Michael William Mohr, 54, is president of the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

The affidavit in support of the complaint alleges that searches of residences used by Mohr revealed cameras disguised as electronic devices and videos of juveniles in the bathroom.

STATE AG GRANTS

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has announced plans to distribute $3.6 million in grants to support local food processing, aggregation and distribution.

Grants will be available for collaborative projects from $1,000 to $250,000 and for individual projects from $1,000 to $75,000. Eligible entities include businesses with fewer than 50 employees, nonprofits and units of local government.

The funds were appropriated in the 2026 state budget.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Proposal to decrease reliance on paper documents passes House

Proposal to decrease reliance on paper documents passes House

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Safety is compromised, and costs are increased by outdated rules, U.S. Rep. Brad Knott tells The Center Square. His proposal with Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Mich.,...
Peotone Blue Devil Baseball Graphic

Diaz Tosses Complete Game, TF South Runs Past Peotone 5-1

A dominant pitching performance by senior Richard Diaz and a hyper-aggressive approach on the basepaths propelled the Thornton Fractional South varsity baseball team to a 5-1 non-conference victory over visiting...
will county Committee-Capital Improvement.Graphic

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Capital Improvements & IT Committee for March 3, 2026

Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | March 2026 The Will County Capital Improvements and IT Committee met on Tuesday to address the county's physical and digital infrastructure. The meeting...
Chicago can’t ditch airlines’ suit vs ‘disruptive’ paid sick leave rules

Chicago can’t ditch airlines’ suit vs ‘disruptive’ paid sick leave rules

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Saying it appears likely the city's sick leave ordinance would disrupt airlines' ability to function, a federal judge has rejected Chicago City...
$4.4B budget request for new Illinois early childhood agency draws scrutiny

$4.4B budget request for new Illinois early childhood agency draws scrutiny

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An agency focused on early childhood education created by state lawmakers in 2024 has made its first...
Lawmaker, officer warns Elgin officer firing could chill free speech

Lawmaker, officer warns Elgin officer firing could chill free speech

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker and law enforcement officer is sharply criticizing the city of Elgin’s decision to...
Illinois quick hits: Coalition calls for more action on data centers

Illinois quick hits: Coalition calls for more action on data centers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Coalition calls for more action on data centers The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition says more action is needed from the Illinois...
IL House GOP asks “Have you had enough yet” following student’s murder

IL House GOP asks “Have you had enough yet” following student’s murder

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After the alleged murder of a Loyola University student by a migrant who was in the country...
Gas spike continues for Illinoisans; state leaders offer no plan to help yet

Gas spike continues for Illinoisans; state leaders offer no plan to help yet

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As fuel prices continue rising, government leaders in Illinois have responded to growing concern over the impact...
Screenshot

Updated: St. John Woman Charged with Nine Counts of Murder in Crete Township Triple Homicide

Article Summary: Jenna Strouble, 30, of St. John, Indiana, has been charged with nine counts of first-degree murder following the shooting deaths of her former partner, Jacob Lambert, and his...
Illinois lagging the nation for entrepreneurship, economic growth

Illinois lagging the nation for entrepreneurship, economic growth

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Policy Institute’s Josh Bandoch says he could have easily predicted the state would rank as...
Illinois Quick Hits: Iowa PA license wait times half of Illinois

Illinois Quick Hits: Iowa PA license wait times half of Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing says the state’s average wait time for new physician...
Peotone Blue Devil Baseball Graphic

Bishop McNamara Offense Overpowers Peotone Baseball in 17-2 Non-Conference Tilt

Despite grabbing an early lead in the first inning, the Peotone varsity baseball team fell victim to a relentless offensive attack and a combined one-hitter from Bishop McNamara, dropping Monday’s...

Will County Previews ‘GuideWill’ Comprehensive Resource Management Plan

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | March 2026 Article Summary: Will County's Land Use Department unveiled the branding, interactive tools, and initial timeline for its updated Resource Management...
State attorneys general blame feds for rising gas prices, Trump admin pushes back

State attorneys general blame feds for rising gas prices, Trump admin pushes back

By Dave Mason | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - It’s up to the federal government to stop hikes in gas prices, according to Democratic attorneys general...